House debates

Wednesday, 13 September 2017

• Committees (0 speeches)
  • Selection Committee; Report (1 speech)
    I present report No. 17 of the Selection Committee relating to the consideration of committee and delegation business and private members' business on Monday, 16 October 2017. The report will be...
• Bills (0 speeches)
  • Crimes Legislation Amendment (Sexual Crimes Against Children and Community Protection Measures) Bill 2017; Second Reading (1 speech)
    I move: That this bill be now read a second time. The bill provides for a broad package of measures which will strengthen the laws that safeguard children in Australia from sexual abuse. The...
  • Investigation and Prosecution Measures Bill 2017; Second Reading (1 speech)
    I move: That this bill be now read a second time. The Investigation and Prosecution Measures Bill 2017 makes two sets of amendments: The Independent Commission Against Corruption plays an...
  • Criminal Code Amendment (Impersonating a Commonwealth Body) Bill 2017; Second Reading (1 speech)
    I move: That this bill be now read a second time. The Criminal Code Amendment (Impersonating a Commonwealth Body) Bill 2017 will amend the Criminal Code Act 1995 to safeguard the Australian...
  • Migration Amendment (Prohibiting Items in Immigration Detention Facilities) Bill 2017; Second Reading (1 speech)
    ) ( ): I move: That this bill be now read a second time. In 2013, 99 per cent of people in immigration detention were illegal maritime arrivals. Our immigration detention facilities were flooded...
  • Coastal Trading (Revitalising Australian Shipping) Amendment Bill 2017; Second Reading (9 speeches)
    I move: That this bill be now read a second time. The Australian government is committed to ensuring safe, secure and efficient coastal shipping as part of Australia's national transport system....
  • Customs Amendment (Anti-Dumping Measures) Bill 2017; Second Reading (1 speech)
    I move: That this bill be now read a second time. I am pleased to present the Customs Amendment (Anti-Dumping Measures) Bill 2017. The government is committed to free and fair trade....
  • Statute Update (Smaller Government) Bill 2017; Second Reading (1 speech)
    I rise to talk about the Statute Update (Smaller Government) Bill 2017 and to indicate to the House that we will not be opposing this bill. But nobody in this House should take that as an...
  • Statute Update (Smaller Government) Bill 2017; Reference to Federation Chamber (1 speech)
    by leave—I move: That the Statute Update (Smaller Government) Bill 2017 be referred to the Federation Chamber for further consideration. Question agreed to.
  • Defence Legislation Amendment (2017 Measures No. 1) Bill 2017; Second Reading (1 speech)
    I rise to speak on the Defence Legislation Amendment (2017 Measures No. 1) Bill 2017. This bill contains four schedules, which seek to smooth processes, increase protections for reservists,...
  • Defence Legislation Amendment (2017 Measures No. 1) Bill 2017; Reference to Federation Chamber (1 speech)
    by leave—I move: That the bill be referred to the Federation Chamber for further consideration. Question agreed to.
  • Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation Amendment Bill 2017; Second Reading (2 speeches)
    I present the explanatory memorandum to this bill and I move: That this bill be now read a second time. The Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation Amendment Bill 2017 will provide...
  • Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation Amendment Bill 2017; Reference to Federation Chamber (1 speech)
    I move: That the Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation Amendment Bill 2017 be referred to the Federation Chamber for further consideration. Question agreed to.
  • Telecommunications and Other Legislation Amendment Bill 2017; Second Reading (2 speeches)
    I move: That this bill be now read a second time. The Telecommunications and Other Legislation Amendment Bill 2016 will amend the Telecommunications Act 1997 and related legislation to strengthen...
  • Telecommunications and Other Legislation Amendment Bill 2017; Reference to Federation Chamber (1 speech)
    by leave—I move: That the Telecommunications and Other Legislation Amendment Bill 2017 be referred to the Federation Chamber for further consideration. Question agreed to.
  • Higher Education Support Legislation Amendment (A More Sustainable, Responsive and Transparent Higher Education System) Bill 2017; Second Reading (5 speeches)
    My sisters and I are living proof of the transformative powers of a quality public education and the transformative powers of a tertiary education. Like so many Australians, and so many in this...
  • Marriage Law Survey (Additional Safeguards) Bill 2017; Second Reading (3 speeches)
    I am pleased to present a bill today that will provide for a range of additional safeguards to support the conduct of the Australian marriage law postal survey. The government is honouring its...
  • Marriage Law Survey (Additional Safeguards) Bill 2017; Third Reading (1 speech)
    by leave—I move: That this bill be now read a third time. Question agreed to. Bill read a third time.
  • Higher Education Support Legislation Amendment (A More Sustainable, Responsive and Transparent Higher Education System) Bill 2017; Second Reading (4 speeches)
    I rise to continue my contribution and opposition to this government's changes in terms of the university cuts they have enshrined in this Higher Education Support Legislation Amendment (A More...
• Statements by Members (0 speeches)
  • Johnson, Ms Constance (Connie), OAM (1 speech)
    Connie Johnson: a fearless, warm, generous, courageous woman, who, in the face of tremendous adversity, was an inspiration to people right across Australia. Connie inspired us to be aware of our...
  • Gilmore Electorate (1 speech)
    Last week I hosted a group in Canberra who were taking part in the National Student Leadership Forum. I sponsored two students in Gilmore, Tori Jones and Emily Bristow. This forum is a wonderful...
  • Tasmania: Australian Federal Police (1 speech)
    Tasmanians are well and truly sick of being left off the map by this Liberal government. But, sadly, it continues. I've been fighting for the restoration of an Australian Federal Police presence...
  • Peel, Mr Lindsay John (1 speech)
    I rise in this chamber today to officially pass on the gratitude of a local widow in my community, Ms Penny Peel. Ms Peel is the widow of Lindsay John Peel, who was a petty officer with the Navy...
  • Tasmania: Australian Federal Police (1 speech)
    In the infamous horror budget of 2014, the former Prime Minister and member for Warringah cut resources for the Australian Federal Police at Hobart Airport, aided and abetted by the Tasmanian...
  • Petrie Electorate: Infrastructure (1 speech)
    My electorate of Petrie occupies the northern outskirts of Brisbane as well as Moreton Bay. Those people in Brisbane, where I grew up, would all be well aware of the Gateway Upgrade North...
  • Tasmania: Australian Federal Police (3 speeches)
    If there's one issue which demonstrates the absolute and utter contempt this government holds for Tasmania and Tasmanian residents, it's the absence of Federal Police within Tasmania and...
  • Disability Action Week (1 speech)
    This week is Disability Action Week in Queensland. This initiative aims to raise awareness of disability issues and to improve access and inclusion for people with disability throughout our...
  • Beechworth Secondary College (1 speech)
    Colleagues, can you join me in welcoming to parliament the representatives of Beechworth Secondary College Student Representative Council? Honourable members: Hear, hear! It's great to have you...
  • Robertson Electorate: Hustle for the Russell's (1 speech)
    I would like to mention a really special family in my electorate today: the Russells. There was a great event held in their honour last Friday night called 'Hustle for the Russell's'. The...
  • Tasmania: Australian Federal Police (1 speech)
    Nothing says what this government feels about Tasmania more than how it has treated the AFP presence in Tasmania. What we've seen today is all four Labor MPs in this place—the members for...
  • O'Connor Electorate: Great Southern Housing Initiative (1 speech)
    I rise today to express my frustration and disappointment at seeing a key Building Better Regions Fund project in my electorate of O'Connor thrown into disarray by a decision of the WA...
  • Centrelink (1 speech)
    I will never forget sitting with constituents after they had received robo-debt letters from Minister Tudge, telling them that they owed money to Centrelink dating back years and that they would...
  • Migration (3 speeches)
    Today I raise the concerns of many constituents about the rate of Australia's immigration intake and whether it is sustainable for it to take around 190,000 people on an annual basis,...
  • Western Sydney: Health Care (1 speech)
    Following in the vein of the rest of my good colleagues that have been talking about this government taking their communities for granted, I hate to be the person to join that chorus and tell you...
  • Men's Sheds (1 speech)
    Later in September, it will be Men's Shed Week, and I would like to pay tribute to the benefits this organisation delivers in cities and towns right across Australia. In my own electorate of La...
  • Centrelink (1 speech)
    I rise today to talk about a disastrous policy implemented by this government and by the Minister for Human Services. I'm talking about the debacle of robo-debt at Centrelink, which has caught in...
  • Marriage (1 speech)
    It is important that all Australians participate in the postal survey on marriage equality, and I encourage voters to complete and post back the survey form as soon as they receive it so their...
  • Centrelink (3 speeches)
    Finally we get the truth from the other side. Finally we've found out there were 20,000 inaccurate letters sent out by in robo-debt debacle. We have found out that 7,456 people owed absolutely no...
  • Doohan, Mr Peter, Rose, Mr Mervyn, AM (2 speeches)
    I rise to talk about the loss of two friends—two great tennis players: Mervyn Rose and Peter Doohan. Mervyn Rose was a great champion during the fifties. He won the Australian Championships...
• Questions without Notice (0 speeches)
  • Energy (24 speeches)
    My question is to the Prime Minister. On Monday, the Prime Minister was asked if power prices were higher or lower since this government came to office and refused to answer. On Tuesday, the...
• Distinguished Visitors (0 speeches)
  • (1 speech)
    I would like to advise the House that we have present in the gallery this afternoon a very prominent Australian, Olivia Newton-John, accompanied by her husband, John, and her team from the Olivia...
• Questions without Notice (0 speeches)
  • Energy (5 speeches)
    My question is to the Treasurer. Will the Treasurer outline to the House why it is important to take an all-of-the-above approach to sources of energy to put downward pressure on energy prices?...
• Distinguished Visitors (0 speeches)
  • (1 speech)
    Just before I call the member for Mayo, I would like to advise the House that we have present in the gallery a delegation from the Northern Territory, led by the Chief Minister, the Hon. Michael...
• Questions without Notice (0 speeches)
  • Murray-Darling Basin (2 speeches)
    My question is to the Deputy Prime Minister. In a letter enclosing the interim investigation into New South Wales water management, Ken Matthews stated: … compliance and enforcement...
  • Energy (30 speeches)
    My question is to the Minister for the Environment and Energy. Will the minister update the House on action the government is taking to ensure that Australian families and businesses have a...
  • Workplace Relations (3 speeches)
    My question is to the Minister for Defence Industry, representing the Minister for Employment. Will the minister outline to the House why it is important for employer and employee organisations...
  • Climate Change (4 speeches)
    My question is to the Prime Minister. In June, the Prime Minister said of the clean energy target: 'Well, it'd certainly work. There's no question it'd work.' But a government MP has said in...
  • Citizenship (3 speeches)
    My question is to the Minister for Immigration and Border Protection: Will the minister update the House on steps the government is taking to strengthen Australian citizenship? Why is it...
  • Climate Change (7 speeches)
    My question is to the Prime Minister. The Prime Minister used to say: 'I will not lead a party that is not as committed to effective action on climate change as I am.' Has the Prime Minister...
  • Welfare Reform (4 speeches)
    My question is to the Minister for Social Services. Will the minister update the House on the government's commitment to create a simpler, fairer welfare system that helps move people from...
  • Energy (2 speeches)
    My question is to the Prime Minister. The government is now in its fifth year of office. In that time seven coal-fired power stations have closed, removing capacity equivalent to nearly six...
  • Welfare Reform (2 speeches)
    My question is to the Minister for Human Services. Will the minister update the House on the government's approach to identifying welfare recipients with substance abuse issues and support them...
  • Energy (9 speeches)
    My— Ms Madeleine King interjecting—
• 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)
  • Leave of Absence (1 speech)
    I move: That leave of absence until 16 October 2017 be given to Mr Hastie for parental leave purposes, and leave of absence until 7 December 2017 be given to Mr Entsch on the ground of public...
• Parliamentary Office Holders (0 speeches)
  • Speaker's Panel (1 speech)
    Pursuant to standing order 17, I lay on the table my warrant revoking— Mr Keogh interjecting— Just resume your seat. Pursuant to standing order 17, I lay on the table my warrant...
• Questions to the Speaker (0 speeches)
  • Questions in Writing (4 speeches)
    Mr Speaker, in accordance with standing order 105(b), I ask that you write to the Prime Minister seeking reasons for the delay in answering questions in writing. It's been 310 days since I wrote...
• Matters of Public Importance (0 speeches)
  • Energy (40 speeches)
    I've received a letter from the honourable member for Port Adelaide proposing that a definite matter of public importance be submitted to the House for discussion, namely: The energy crisis...
• Bills (0 speeches)
  • Statute Update (Smaller Government) Bill 2017; Third Reading (1 speech)
    by leave—I move: That this bill be now read a third time. Question agreed to. Bill read a third time.
  • Defence Legislation Amendment (2017 Measures No. 1) Bill 2017; Third Reading (1 speech)
    by leave—I move: That this bill be now read a third time. Question agreed to. Bill read a third time.
• Committees (0 speeches)
  • Public Accounts and Audit Committee; Report (1 speech)
    On behalf of the Joint Committee of Public Accounts and Audit, I present the committee's report entitled Report 466: Annual report 2016-17. Report made a parliamentary paper in accordance with...
  • Standing Committee on Health, Aged Care and Sport; Report (2 speeches)
    On behalf of the Standing Committee on Health, Aged Care and Sport, I present the committee's report entitled Still waiting to be heard: report on the Inquiry into the Hearing Health and...
  • Standing Committee on Health, Aged Care and Sport; Reference to Federation Chamber (1 speech)
    I move: That the order of the day be referred to the Federation Chamber for debate. Question agreed to.
• Personal Explanations (0 speeches)
  • (3 speeches)
    Mr Deputy Speaker Coulton, I wish to make a personal explanation.
• Committees (0 speeches)
  • Corporations and Financial Services Committee; Report (5 speeches)
    () (): On behalf of the Parliamentary Joint Committee on Corporations and Financial Services, I present the committee's report, entitled Whistleblower protections. Report made a parliamentary...
• Bills (0 speeches)
  • Higher Education Support Legislation Amendment (A More Sustainable, Responsive and Transparent Higher Education System) Bill 2017; Second Reading (10 speeches)
    The original question was that this bill be now read a second time. To this the Deputy Leader of the Opposition has moved as an amendment that all words after 'That' be omitted with a view to...
  • Higher Education Support Legislation Amendment (A More Sustainable, Responsive and Transparent Higher Education System) Bill 2017; Consideration in Detail (8 speeches)
    I move amendment (2) circulated in my name: (2) Schedule 3, page 40 (after line 7), after item 35, insert: 35A At the end of section 154 -15   Add: (3) In working out a person's...
  • Higher Education Support Legislation Amendment (A More Sustainable, Responsive and Transparent Higher Education System) Bill 2017; Third Reading (1 speech)
    by leave—I move: That this bill be now read a third time. Question agreed to. Bill read a third time.
  • Treasury Laws Amendment (Enterprise Tax Plan No. 2) Bill 2017; Second Reading (3 speeches)
    I rise to speak on the Treasury Laws Amendment (Enterprise Tax Plan No. 2) Bill 2017. This is another key plank of this government's plan for more jobs and greater economic growth. It sits very...
• Adjournment (0 speeches)
  • Turnbull Government (1 speech)
    We are living in the era of the fourth industrial revolution, and we will absorb the changes that come with robotics, quantum computing, nanotechnology, artificial intelligence and the internet...
  • Page Electorate: Netball, Nimbin Root Festival, Lismore: Floods (1 speech)
    For most netball teams across our region the season is coming to an end, but not for Casino's 15s. This hardworking team of Mikayla Coe, Grace Frasier, Casey Turner, Shakira Wilson, Georgie...
  • Mental Health: Suicide Prevention (2 speeches)
    'Are you okay?' is a simple question that could change your life. Tomorrow is RU OK? Day, a national day founded in 2009 by Gavin Larkin, dedicated to reminding people to ask their family,...
  • Petrie Electorate (1 speech)
    It's wonderful to represent the people of Petrie in this place. One of the things that I love to do is to get out and talk to people about the issues that are important to them. On Facebook over...
  • Queensland Country Women's Association (1 speech)
    Tonight I want to recognise the great work of the Queensland Country Women's Association in the Ipswich and West Moreton region. It was a pleasure to be able to attend the annual general meeting...
  • Swan Electorate: Lathlain Precinct Redevelopment Project (1 speech)
    I rise this evening to update the House on a very exciting project in my electorate of Swan. I have spoken about this before, but I thought I'd update the House. The Lathlain Precinct...
• Constituency Statements (0 speeches)
  • Wale, Mr Ted (1 speech)
    Today I'd like to speak about an extraordinary birthday party I attended recently, made more extraordinary because it was in honour of a friend of mine who turned 107 years of age. That makes Ted...
  • Hasluck Electorate: Horticulture Industry (1 speech)
    On 31 August I had the pleasure of facilitating a Hasluck growers meeting between grapegrowers in the Swan Valley and orchardists in the Perth Hills. I invited them to meet a representative from...
  • Citizenship (1 speech)
    In the greater electorate of Isaacs, 5,551 residents do not speak English well or at all, according to the data from the 2016 census. Many of these residents are Australian citizens making...
  • Hume Electorate: Volunteers, Broadband (1 speech)
    The soil is fertile up Wollondilly Shire way in my electorate. At Tahmoor and Buxton, the community gardens are flourishing. There are armies of volunteer green thumbs. Kids, families, retirees...
  • Energy (1 speech)
    Speaking as a former mines and energy minister in Queensland, I know that when the government fell we had the cheapest electricity in the world. Why did we? Because we simply passed the cost of...
  • Bonner Electorate: Local Sporting Champions, Bonner Electorate: Language Education (1 speech)
    Today I want to focus on young high achievers I have met recently from my electorate of Bonner. I recently had the pleasure of presenting young sports stars in my electorate with their Local...
  • Youth Jobs PaTH Program (1 speech)
    Life isn't easy for young people in Australia today. The deck is stacked in many ways that previous generations simply didn't have to face. Young Australians bear more of the cost of their own...
  • Trade (1 speech)
    As everyone in this room knows, Australia is a trading nation. We sell what we grow, make and produce to the world. Last year Australian exports grew by 7.9 per cent, three times faster than the...
  • Myanmar: Rohingya People (1 speech)
    Last Saturday I attended a rally in Melbourne in support of the Rohingya Muslim people, calling on the international community and Australia to act in bringing an end to the persecution, attacks...
  • Wide Bay Electorate: Maryborough Bears AFL Club (1 speech)
    I am proud to be the patron of the Maryborough Bears AFL football club. I'm even prouder to say that since I accepted their invitation to become their club patron the Bears have risen to the top...
  • Grayndler Electorate: Carrington Road Development (2 speeches)
    Developers need to understand that the key to successful urban redevelopment is bringing the local community with them. Their projects need to complement the suburban landscape, not dominate it....
  • Wilson, Mr Alexander Rodney 'Rod', Flynn Electorate: National Disability Insurance Scheme (2 speeches)
    I rise today to mention to the House the sad passing of Rod Wilson of Calliope Station, Calliope. I noticed your presence, Mr Deputy Speaker Buchholz, at Rod's funeral. He was very well known...
  • Johnson, Ms Connie, OAM (1 speech)
    On Wednesday, 10 May this year, 5c pieces glittered in the autumn sun in Canberra as 25,000 Canberrans gathered to toss 5c pieces into a huge heart of coins on one of the netball courts. As Megan...
  • Banks Electorate: Community Events (1 speech)
    On 21 August, I attended the South West Bankstown Chamber of Commerce's Women in Leadership function at the Bankstown Sports Club. It was a great evening which brought together many local small...
  • Western Sydney Airport (1 speech)
    It will be absolutely no surprise to Blue Mountains residents that an independent assessment shows the government's community consultation for Badgerys Creek Airport is flawed. It confirms that...
  • Swan Electorate: Orrong Road (3 speeches)
    I rise today to speak about Orrong Road, a main road in my electorate of Swan and a road notorious for delays. As is it stands, Orrong Road is currently the third most delayed road across the...
  • Richmond Football Club (1 speech)
    With my dad born in Richmond, I grew up with stories of the toughness of his life there and spent every winter Saturday at Essex Heights Football Club, and with two brothers, Michael and Marty,...
  • Knappstein, Mrs Carolina Augustina (1 speech)
    Sometimes the most compelling thing that we can do in this parliament is to faithfully recount the stories of everyday Australians. I want to tell the story today of a postwar immigrant from the...
  • Perth Electorate: Bassendean Men's Shed (1 speech)
    Madam Deputy Speaker Wicks, as I am sure you and those in this place will agree, in this day and age, the sound and fury and clash of various partisan positions dominates much of the debate we...
  • Men's Shed Movement (2 speeches)
    This is an unscheduled constituency statement, but I was inspired by the member for Perth's speech. On this occasion he was inspirational—on other occasions not so much, but this one...
• Bills (0 speeches)
  • Statute Update (Smaller Government) Bill 2017; Second Reading (6 speeches)
    It is probably a good thing the chamber is empty, because this won't be the most scintillating contribution to Hansard in this term—far from it! I was challenged by my friend the member for...
  • Defence Legislation Amendment (2017 Measures No. 1) Bill 2017; Second Reading (7 speeches)
    I rise to speak on the Defence Legislation Amendment (2017 Measures No. 1) Bill. My electorate of Herbert is home to the largest ADF presence in the country, and I am incredibly proud and very...
  • Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation Amendment Bill 2017; Second Reading (8 speeches)
    I rise to support the Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation Amendment Bill, which is one of Australia's largest public research organisations. It's primarily focused on nuclear...
  • Telecommunications and Other Legislation Amendment Bill 2017; Second Reading (8 speeches)
    It is my very great pleasure to talk on the Telecommunications and Other Legislation Amendment Bill today because I've had a longstanding interest, notwithstanding my legal practice, in...