House debates
Monday, 4 September 2017
- Committees (0 speeches)
- Petitions Committee; Report (1 speech)
Today, I present the 14th report of the Petitions Committee for the 45th Parliament, together with five petitions, and five ministerial responses to petitions previously presented.
- Petitions (0 speeches)
- Responses (1 speech)
I present five ministerial responses to petitions previously presented.
- Statements (1 speech)
Petitions continue to be a popular way in which citizens can engage with the parliament on various topics and from all walks of life. The petitions that I present today have a combined total of...
- Bills (0 speeches)
- Business (0 speeches)
- Rearrangement (1 speech)
Pursuant to standing order 113, I fix Monday, 16 October 2017, as the date for presenting the Renewable Energy Legislation Amendment (Supporting Renewable Communities) Bill 2017.
- Bills (0 speeches)
- Private Members' Business (0 speeches)
- (1 speech)
. I inform the House that, pursuant to standing order 110, the honourable member for Kennedy has withdrawn notice No. 4, standing in his name. The order of precedence of remaining private...
- Bills (0 speeches)
- Private Members' Business (0 speeches)
- Northern Adelaide Irrigation Scheme (19 speeches)
I move: That this House: (1) acknowledges that the Northern Adelaide Irrigation Scheme (NAIS) has the potential to create 3,700 jobs for northern Adelaide and add more than $500 million a year to...
- Australian Aid (13 speeches)
I move: That this House: (1)acknowledges that Australia has a significant role in assisting countries to reduce poverty and achieve inclusive prosperity through its international aid;...
- Statement by the Speaker (0 speeches)
- Privilege (1 speech)
On 15 August 2017 the Manager of Opposition Business raised as a matter of privilege whether the circumstances surrounding the former member for Dunkley, Mr Bruce Billson, accepting an...
- Committees (0 speeches)
- Privileges and Members' Interests Committee; Reference (1 speech)
I move: That the following matter be referred to the Committee of Privileges and Members' Interests: Whether the former Member for Dunkley, Mr Bruce Billson, by accepting an appointment as, and...
- Membership (1 speech)
The Speaker has received two messages from the Senate informing the House of the appointment of senators to certain joint committees. As the list of appointments is a lengthy one, I do not...
- Bills (0 speeches)
- Statements by Members (0 speeches)
- Sydney Electorate: Climate Change (1 speech)
On Friday, 25 August, I was delighted to meet several of my constituents: Jo and Peter Huntington and their lovely son Ethan; Dr Ann Long; and Zhi Yan, who have been busy arranging for a...
- Bowman Electorate: Literacy and Numeracy (1 speech)
The 2017 NAPLAN results having been received allow Queensland in particular to take an even stronger longitudinal view on high school performance. That's occurred with the release of the data to...
- Condran, Mr Kevin (1 speech)
Kevin Condran was right off the top shelf. He was mischievous, straight-talking, selfless and loyal. He was fierce and compassionate at the same time. He was a former president of the Rankin...
- Capricornia Electorate: Major Projects Capricornia Cluster Forum (1 speech)
Business and economic development bodies in my electorate are gearing up for major investments in Capricornia. Just last week, we saw a room packed full of industry leaders coming together for a...
- Rape and Domestic Violence Services Australia (1 speech)
Last week, I visited Rape and Domestic Violence Services Australia in my electorate to speak with staff following its decision to withdraw from the 1800 RESPECT trauma counselling service. RDVSA...
- Vandalism (1 speech)
I rise to condemn the acts of vandalism perpetrated against the statues of James Cook and Lachlan Macquarie in Sydney over the last fortnight. Defacing statues is usually associated with the...
- Australian National Flag Day, Father's Day (1 speech)
Yesterday was Father's Day. It was also Australian National Flag Day. During the week I took the opportunity to go down to the Good Samaritan Catholic Primary School in Roxburgh Park, in my...
- Country Women's Association (1 speech)
The week is Country Women's Association Awareness Week. As a member of the CWA, I had the pleasure of attending a meeting in Yanco recently. Yanco is a small village in the Leeton local...
- Fleurieu Film Festival (1 speech)
What usually happens with beautiful places is that they attract creative people—musicians, artists and, in this case, filmmakers. Three years ago a group from the Fleurieu Peninsula decided...
- Blackbutt Avocado Festival (1 speech)
This Saturday the streets of beautiful Blackbutt, in my electorate, will be humming with locals and tourists for the Blackbutt Avocado Festival. Not only is the festival a huge boon for the...
- Broadband (1 speech)
It's 12 months since I asked Canberrans to start sending me their speeds. I continue to be inundated with Canberrans sending me their speeds as they continue to express their frustration with...
- Investing in Our Youth (1 speech)
I commend the work of a very active and effective south-west community organisation—Investing in Our Youth. In 1999 the Telethon Kids Institute held a forum in the region on ways to assist...
- Djuric, Ms Bonney, OAM (1 speech)
I am honoured to rise to congratulate the fabulous Bonney Djuric on being awarded a Medal of the Order of Australia this past Queen's Birthday. This honour comes to Ms Djuric as recognition of...
- Groom Electorate: Toowoomba Hospice (1 speech)
The recent Hang Your Boss Out to Dry fundraiser in Toowoomba saw a number of our business and community leaders placed high up in a cherry picker and spending their Friday morning seeking...
- Equal Pay Day (1 speech)
Today is Equal Pay Day. Here a few facts. Fact: Australian women earn 15.3 per cent less than men. Fact: the average man's wage in this country is about $127,000 a year. The average woman's pay...
- Tangney Electorate: Willetton Basketball Association (1 speech)
You might have seen some footage on the weekend of the Prime Minister and I at the Willetton basketball stadium. Having heard so much about this fantastic local association, the PM was keen to...
- Rockingham Kwinana Chamber of Commerce Regional Business Awards (1 speech)
I congratulate all of those who participated in the annual Rockingham Kwinana Chamber of Commerce Regional Business Awards on Saturday, 26 August. Speaking to the more than 200-strong attendees...
- Father's Day (1 speech)
Today I am wearing a tie that my five-year-old daughter gave me for Father's Day. While I was flying to Canberra yesterday, Father's Day, it had me thinking. Here we are in parliament, all of us...
- His Holiness Pope Tawadros II, Coptic Church (1 speech)
I was honoured to attend the official reception last night for His Holiness Pope Tawadros II, the Patriarch of the Coptic Church internationally, which was held to welcome him on his first visit...
- Workplace Relations (2 speeches)
Once again, the Leader of the Opposition has been outed as the great pretender. He comes into parliament pretending to care about Australian workers and he prances around the country in his big...
- Condolences (0 speeches)
- Statements on Indulgence (0 speeches)
- (4 speeches)
Mr Speaker, I seek indulgence to make a statement about the concerning situation in North Korea.
- Questions without Notice (0 speeches)
- Qualifications of Members (2 speeches)
My question is to the Prime Minister. The last time the parliament sat, the government waited an entire week before revealing at the last possible moment that Senator Nash would be referred to...
- North Korea (4 speeches)
My question is to the Prime Minister. Will the Prime Minister please update the House about recent developments on the Korean Peninsula and the government's response?
- Qualifications of Members (5 speeches)
My question is to the Prime Minister. I refer to reports in The Courier-Mail quoting a Nationals member saying, 'I know there are some Libs who have questions to answer about their own...
- North Korea (2 speeches)
My question is to the Minister for Foreign Affairs. On behalf of the large Korean-speaking community of Bennelong, will the minister outline to the House the diplomatic efforts to bring the...
- Deputy Prime Minister (2 speeches)
My question is to the Prime Minister. Last time this parliament sat the Prime Minister claimed in question time: … the Deputy Prime Minister is qualified to sit in this House, and the High...
- Environment (2 speeches)
Minister for the Environment and Energy, crocodiles are now killing North Queenslanders at almost one a year. There are sightings at our tourism beaches and attacks on dogs almost weekly. Humans...
- Defence Industry (2 speeches)
My question is to the Minister for Defence Industry. Will the minister update the House on the largest peacetime build-up of our military capability, a record $200 billion commitment by this...
- Deputy Prime Minister (4 speeches)
My question is to the Prime Minister. Since the government became aware that there was doubt over the qualifications of the Deputy Prime Minister to be a member of parliament, how many executive...
- National Security (4 speeches)
My question is to the Minister for Immigration and Border Protection. Can the minister update the House on the benefits of a well-managed national security agenda? Why are strong and consistent...
- Qualifications of Members (7 speeches)
My question is to the Prime Minister. Yesterday the Leader of the House said, and I quote, 'The Constitution, of course, allows a person to be a minister for three months after they've been...
- Economy (2 speeches)
My question is to the Treasurer. Will the Treasurer update the House on the news reported in recent economic data releases? How does this data point to better days ahead for all Australians and...
- Qualifications of Members (6 speeches)
My question is to the Prime Minister: Why is the government knowingly putting at risk every ministerial decision and every ministerial action being taken by ministers who have responsibility for...
- Motions (0 speeches)
- Deputy Prime Minister (10 speeches)
I move: That so much of the standing and sessional orders be suspended as would prevent the Member for Watson from moving the following motion forthwith— That the House calls on the Prime...
- Questions without Notice (0 speeches)
- Energy (3 speeches)
My question is to the Minister for the Environment and Energy. Will the minister update the House on the action the government is taking to put downward pressure on energy prices, as this is of...
- Auditor-General's Reports (0 speeches)
- (1 speech)
I present the Auditor-General's Audit report No. 7 of 2017-2018, entitled Performance audit: efficiency of the Australia Council's administration of grants: Australia Council. Ordered that 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.
- Personal Explanations (0 speeches)
- (27 speeches)
I wish to make a personal explanation.
- Committees (0 speeches)
- Statement by the Speaker (0 speeches)
- (1 speech)
Just before you do that, there was a statement I wanted to make to the House that is just a few lines long. I think I'll do that now. This morning I made a statement to the House on a matter of...
- Committees (0 speeches)
- Bills (0 speeches)
- Business (0 speeches)
- Rearrangement (1 speech)
I move: That order of the day No. 3, government business, be postponed until the next sitting. Question agreed to.
- Bills (0 speeches)
- Adjournment (0 speeches)
- Climate Change (1 speech)
I rise today to speak about climate change. Last week, I was presented with a petition by constituents of mine in the electorate of Hindmarsh: Susan Richardson, Dhar-mamodini Triratna and Scott...
- Illegal Wildlife Trade (1 speech)
I would like you to imagine a shady waterhole in Africa where groups of rhinos are drinking and resting after a day's penetrating heat. Imagine the horror of the rhinos when a poacher goes up...
- Perth Electorate: Rosh Hashanah (1 speech)
In a couple of weeks, at sundown, on 20 September, the Jewish community in my electorate, and across the world, will celebrate Rosh Hashanah, the Jewish New Year. It commences in the period of...
- Local Government Elections: New South Wales (1 speech)
This coming Saturday, residents across many areas in Sydney will be voting in local government elections. I encourage local residents to ensure they participate in the elections of the four...
- Australian Universities and China (1 speech)
Australian campuses have become the front line in an ideological war with our great trading partner, China. Our universities will have to start reconciling their scholarly values with the...
- National Stroke Week (1 speech)
I note to the House and those who are viewing or listening tonight that this is National Stroke Week. Every nine minutes, someone in Australia will suffer a stroke. That means that, in the course...
- Constituency Statements (0 speeches)
- Brand Electorate: Schools (1 speech)
I rise today to recognise the outstanding commitment to education shown by the many teaching and support staff in schools in my electorate and to say just a few words about them. On Friday just...
- Ullin, Mr Claude, AM, Higgins Community Service Awards (1 speech)
I rise to pay tribute to the former Mayor of the City of Stonnington, Claude Ullin AM, who, sadly, passed away this month. Claude served as a councillor in our local area for more than 25 years,...
- Local Council Elections: New South Wales (1 speech)
I rise to talk about the local government elections occurring in my home region this weekend, particularly those for the Central Coast Council and the city of Newcastle. I want to draw the...
- Steel Industry (1 speech)
Sometimes I'm asked why I'm in parliament and asked: 'What do you achieve?' Last Friday was a graphic example of what can be done when people work together, and that is the handover of the Arrium...
- Broadband (1 speech)
The residents of Melbourne Ports and its businesses, big and small, were promised access to the NBN by the end of 2016 by the Turnbull government. Now that we are in the latter half of 2017, my...
- Banks Electorate (1 speech)
On 30 August, I met with the St George Creative Art and Craft Centre to meet the group's new president, Maria Kokkoris, and treasurer, Debbie Bourke. It was great to meet them and talk about the...
- Geelong (1 speech)
Geelong is a pretty resilient place. It's a city that has faced its fair share of challenges over the last decade. When I was first elected, 10 years ago, we knew that we had a Labor government...
- St John's College, Woodlawn, Bellman-Sharpe, Mr Liam (1 speech)
I would like to congratulate the First 13 from St John's College, Woodlawn, from Lismore, which recently won the prestigious 2017 GIO Trophy. To be a contender for the GIO Trophy, the Woodlawn...
- Lyons Electorate, Newitt, Miss Phoenix (2 speeches)
A lot has happened in my electorate of Lyons over the past week, some of it good and some of it bad. First I would like to offer my formal thanks to Triabunna District School students Declan...
- Workplace Relations (2 speeches)
There was an interesting gem of information today courtesy of Courier-Mail reporter Renee Viellaris in relation to Sunday penalty rates and entitled 'Weekend penalty rates of Bunnings, KFC and...
- Private Members' Business (0 speeches)
- Aged Care (9 speeches)
I move: That this House: (1) acknowledges the significant contribution of the previous Labor Government's Living Longer Living Better reforms that were designed to deliver: (a) more support and...
- Cystic Fibrosis (10 speeches)
I move: That this House: (1) notes that: (a) Cystic Fibrosis is a condition that causes impairment of the lungs, airways and digestive system and leaves sufferers with an average life expectancy...
- Cambodia: Human Rights (7 speeches)
I move: That this House: (1) notes that between 1975 and 1986, over 12,000 Cambodians were settled in Australia under the Special Humanitarian Program after being forced to flee their homeland by...
- Bills (0 speeches)
- Private Members' Business (0 speeches)
- Royal National Park (7 speeches)
I move: That this House notes that: (1)Australia has over 500 national parks that protect our unique and precious environment; (2)Sydney's Royal National Park (RNP) was established in 1879 and is...
- Statements by Members (0 speeches)
- Hurricane Harvey (1 speech)
Hurricane Harvey and the catastrophic flooding of Houston is a window into our future if we don't get global warming under control. Scientists warned that when events like hurricanes, monsoons...
- Oaktree (1 speech)
As the chair of the foreign affairs and aid subcommittee, today I want to raise with my colleagues the wonderful work done by the Oaktree foundation, Australia's largest youth-run aid and...
- Herbert Electorate: Townsville Choral Society (1 speech)
I rise in this place today to congratulate the Townsville Choral Society for an absolutely outstanding rendition of the production Wicked. The depth of talent in Townsville is simply amazing. Our...
- Calare Electorate: Molong Magpies Rugby Club (1 speech)
September brings footy finals fever to the Calare electorate, and it is with a heavy heart that I report to this House that the mighty Molong Magpies went down 31-10 in the GrainCorp Cup Northern...
- Broadband (1 speech)
From Redcliffe to Launceston, Mittagong to Newcastle and in my own electorate of Whitlam, businesses are pulling their hair out because of problems they are facing with the NBN. It is nothing...
- Burma: Rakhine State (1 speech)
The world is witnessing an unfolding humanitarian crisis in Myanmar. Hundreds have died in the conflict between the military, Rohingya and Buddhist communities in Rakhine State in the west of...
- Parramatta Electorate: Eid al-Adha (3 speeches)
I rise today to wish the Muslim community in Parramatta and all around Australia Eid Mubarak. Last Friday, I attended morning prayers at Old Kings Oval in Parramatta with over 800 people from...
- Parliamentary Friends of Young People (1 speech)
I rise to inform honourable members of the creation of a new parliamentary friendship group, the Parliamentary Friends of Young People. Our parliament doesn't necessarily reflect the aged make-up...
- Economy (1 speech)
I would like to bring to the attention of the House the growing problem of intergenerational inequality. Increasingly, young Australians cannot afford to buy their own home, they cannot afford to...
- Employment (3 speeches)
Last Monday, I welcomed the Minister for Employment, Michaelia Cash, and my electorate neighbour, Minister Ken Wyatt, to Swan to announce the federal coalition government's Career Transition...
- Marriage (1 speech)
I am very fortunate to represent a community that has a tradition of engaging wholeheartedly and constructively in the cause of creating positive change. It's a community that is happy to discuss...
- McPhee, Ms Anna (1 speech)
I rise to honour the life of Anna McPhee, daughter of Bill and Trish, wife of Reggie. She departed this world late last week after a long battle with breast cancer. Such was her verve for life...
- Macquarie Electorate: New South Wales Rural Fire Service (1 speech)
It's only a few days into spring, but yesterday's almost 30 degrees in my electorate of Macquarie was a taste of the bushfire danger that lies ahead, with the New South Wales Rural Fire Service...
- Goldstein Electorate: Charities (1 speech)
Today I would like to celebrate two wonderful charity events organised in the Goldstein electorate. The first one, at the Pantry Party in Brighton, was to raise money for Very Special Kids. It...
- Domestic and Family Violence (1 speech)
Recently, I spoke at the National Council of Women's conference about the vulnerability of women. I would like to thank Barbara Baikie for the invitation to be part of the panel discussion. The...
- Corangamite Electorate: Sporting Facilities, Corangamite Electorate: Charles Stewart & Co. (1 speech)
It was my great pleasure to join President Dick McDonald and Surf Coast Mayor Brian McKiterick for the turning of the sod at the Anglesea Bowling Club last Wednesday. After a 10-year...
- Canberra Electorate: Broadband (1 speech)
Canberrans, what if I told you the current rollout plan for fibre to the node in Canberra would perpetuate the digital divide across the ACT and that the rollout of fibre to the node would...
- Coptic Christians (1 speech)
I rise to extend a most warm welcome on behalf of myself and the many Coptic Christians in my electorate of Hughes to Pope Tawadros II, the Patriarch of millions of Coptic Christians around the...
- Equal Pay Day (1 speech)
Think back to 1 July, the first day of this financial year. It feels like it was a long time ago, I suppose, but that's because it was a long time ago. It was just over two months ago—66...
- Veterans (1 speech)
Two weeks ago, I had the opportunity to meet with Ken Jones and Bob Barker from the Vietnam Veterans Association of Echuca-Moama. Ken and Bob wanted to meet me to raise issues that veterans are...
- Workplace Relations (1 speech)
Back in June this year, 220 maintenance workers at Esso in Victoria employed by contractor UGL were terminated and offered their jobs back with a cut of up to 30 per cent of their wages and the...
- Page Electorate: Community Events (1 speech)
Volunteers were recognised from my community for their outstanding contribution at the annual Volunteer of the Year Awards held at the South Grafton Ex-Servicemen's Club. I'd like to congratulate...
- National Meals on Wheels Day (1 speech)
Last week I had the pleasure of spending time with two of our great local Meals on Wheels volunteers. The Australian spirit of generosity and helping each other is often talked about, but there...
- Father's Day (1 speech)
Yesterday, 3 September 2017, was Father's Day. I want to take the opportunity to thank all Australian fathers for the work they do. My wife, Louise, had the opportunity to attend the Scripture...
- Asylum Seekers (1 speech)
A week has gone since the government's plan was revealed to cease almost immediately all income support for asylum seekers transferred to Australia for medical reasons. These asylum seekers will...
- Moore Electorate: City Deals (1 speech)
I support the city of Joondalup in its application for funding under the City Deals program to develop the civic precinct of Joondalup around Boas Avenue and Grand Boulevard. At a time when...
- Automotive Industry (3 speeches)
In 1971, the year before I was born, Steve Hollingworth began on afternoon shift at Holden. He worked there for 36 years. He was a great supporter of the industry and of the vehicle division of...
- Energy (1 speech)
Last Monday I held a roundtable discussion with businesses, local government leaders and the Minister for the Environment and Energy. I'm glad my South Australian colleague is still in the...
- Liberal Party (1 speech)
We're all adults in this place, and I think we'll all agree that through perhaps the effluxion of time, misadventure or folly, or sheerly through being in the wrong place at the wrong time, we've...
- Pensions and Benefits (2 speeches)
The somewhat nondescript town of Ceduna, in South Australia, has been thrust into national headlines with the release last week of the ORIMA research on the healthy welfare card wave 2 trials. It...
- Private Members' Business (0 speeches)
- National Police Remembrance Day (13 speeches)
I move: That this House: (1) notes that National Police Remembrance Day is observed on 29 September; (2) acknowledges the significant role police officers across Australia play in our local...
- Superannuation (12 speeches)
I move: That this House: (1) notes that: (a) the Superannuation Guarantee system—in conjunction with voluntary superannuation contributions and a means-tested, government funded age...
- Crime: Sexual Violence in Armed Conflict (8 speeches)
I move: That this House: (1)notes that: (a)the use of sexual violence in armed conflict is a war crime; and (b)the use of sexual violence as part of a widespread or systematic attack directed...
- Small Amount Credit Contracts (7 speeches)
I move: That this House: (1) notes that: (a) the Government established a panel to review the Small Amount Credit Contract (SACC) laws on 7 August 2015, which provided its final...
