House debates
Thursday, 14 September 2017
- Statement by the Speaker (0 speeches)
- Parliamentary Commission of Inquiry (1 speech)
As indicated in my statement on Monday, 11 September 2017, I now present the class A records of the Parliamentary Commission of Inquiry into the conduct of the late Justice Lionel Keith Murphy....
- Bills (0 speeches)
- Business (0 speeches)
- Rearrangement (1 speech)
I move: That notice No. 6, government business, be postponed until a later hour this day. Question agreed to.
- Parliamentary Zone (0 speeches)
- (1 speech)
I move: That, in accordance with section 5 of the Parliament Act 1974, the House approve the following proposal for work in the Parliamentary Zone which was presented to the House on 11 September...
- Committees (0 speeches)
- Public Works Committee; Reference (1 speech)
I move: That, in accordance with the provisions of the Public Works Committee Act 1969, the following proposed work be referred to the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Public Works for...
- Bills (0 speeches)
- Committees (0 speeches)
- Standing Committee on Indigenous Affairs; Membership (2 speeches)
I have received advice from the Chief Opposition Whip, nominating Ms MMH King to be a member of the Standing Committee on Indigenous Affairs in place of Mr Hammond.
- Publications Committee; Report (1 speech)
I rise to present the report from the esteemed Publications Committee, sitting in conference with the Publications Committee of the Senate. Copies of the report are now being placed on the table....
- Bills (0 speeches)
- Motions (0 speeches)
- Leader of the Opposition (26 speeches)
I move: That this House condemns the Leader of the Opposition for deliberately misleading the Australian public on power prices. Let's start with the claim. On Tuesday, the Leader of the...
- Committees (0 speeches)
- Bills (0 speeches)
- Parliamentary Office Holders (0 speeches)
- Speaker's Panel (1 speech)
Just before I give the call to the honourable member, I would like to make a brief statement. I thank the Speaker for nominating me as a member of the Speaker's panel. So that I can properly...
- Bills (0 speeches)
- Statements by Members (0 speeches)
- Jewish High Holy Days (1 speech)
On behalf of Labor, I extend my best wishes to Jewish communities, who in the coming weeks will celebrate the holiest days in the Jewish calendar: Rosh Hashana and Yom Kippur. Rosh Hashana, or...
- Myanmar: Rakhine State (1 speech)
I rise this afternoon to highlight the critical humanitarian disaster that's taking place in Myanmar: the brutal assault on the Rohingya population of Rakhine State which has resulted in more...
- R U OK? Day (2 speeches)
On R U OK? Day, I want to give a shout out to all those who suffer or have suffered with mental health issues and to their families and friends. The daily rituals of living—the getting up...
- Broadband (1 speech)
Imagine trying to run a small business without access to internet and phone services. In my electorate, as I speak, there's a small business called Swimart Erindale, which is run by Wendy and...
- Infrastructure (1 speech)
They say politics is about building bridges, building bridges in relationships and across to the other side of the chamber, but I want to say: we are building real bridges. I'm really pleased to...
- Chifley Electorate: Sports Clubs (1 speech)
It's great to hear a National Party member to talk about renewables in such a way! There are great sporting groups in the Chifley electorate, out in Western Sydney. I want to give a shout-out to...
- Energy (1 speech)
I'm glad netball came up, because we in McMillan and Gippsland are about to make a very important announcement that the netballers in Latrobe Valley are going to be very excited about. I think...
- Middle East (1 speech)
Next month is the 100th anniversary of the Battle of Beersheba, where on 31 October 1917 the Australian 4th Light Horse Brigade conducted a mounted charge that helped capture Beersheba from the...
- Energy (1 speech)
The cost of electricity in Queensland did not rise for the 26 years from 1980-81 to 2006-07. That's according to a Queensland Productivity Commission report released last year. But, in the nine...
- Let's Go Greek Festival (1 speech)
Last Sunday I went down to St Ioannis Church in George Street to celebrate the Let's Go Greek Festival, once again. The wonderful Greek Orthodox community moved from its old church about four or...
- India: Meat & Livestock Australia (1 speech)
India is a rising global power and Australia's relationship with India only deepens with every passing year. Half a million Australians have Indian heritage and 260,000 Indian tourists came to...
- Media Ownership (1 speech)
Today is the dark day for the parliament, because today it looks like the coalition is getting through a dirty deal with One Nation and the Nick Xenophon Team for the so-called media reform...
- Energy (1 speech)
Labor's policies on energy are nothing short of ludicrous—in fact, they would be more ludicrous if they actually had a decent policy. But there is nothing reliable or affordable about...
- Lindsay Electorate: R U OK? Day (1 speech)
Mr Deputy Speaker, are you okay? Today is national R U OK? Day, a conversation starter that takes place to ensure that mental health for everyone is getting a check-up. On 19 September, I am...
- Energy (1 speech)
I want to take this opportunity to add my voice to the many voices of reason that are calling for a rethink when it comes to renewable energy subsidies or imposed market regulations by mechanisms...
- Turnbull Government (4 speeches)
Tomorrow, Malcolm Turnbull's government turns two.
- Ukraine-Australia Parliamentary Friendship Group (1 speech)
The year 2017 marks 25 years of diplomatic relations between the Ukraine and Australia. Last night, I was delighted to relaunch the Ukraine-Australia Parliamentary Friendship Group with the...
- Energy (1 speech)
There's a reason people are scratching their heads and asking themselves: are this mob as dumb as a box of spanners? You really can't make this stuff up. You get one of the smartest blokes in...
- National Stroke Week (2 speeches)
Last week was National Stroke Week, and I want to congratulate the Stroke Foundation for their awareness campaign. Kicking off the week in Brisbane, I met with a local support group of young...
- Ministerial Arrangements (0 speeches)
- (1 speech)
The Minister for Trade will be absent from question time today, as he's travelling to China to attend the annual Joint Ministerial Economic Commission. The Minister for Foreign Affairs will...
- Questions without Notice (0 speeches)
- Energy (21 speeches)
My question is to the Minister for the Environment and Energy. Can the minister confirm that yesterday he claimed in the House: … since the start of the coalition government in 2013, prices...
- Distinguished Visitors (0 speeches)
- (1 speech)
I would like to welcome, in the gallery to my left, the former Speaker Harry Jenkins, who is here with Global Voices. Welcome, Harry, back for the day. Honourable members: Hear, hear!
- Questions without Notice (0 speeches)
- Immigration Detention (2 speeches)
My question is to the Minister for Immigration and Border Protection and it's about Manus Island. Can you, Minister, provide details of the government's plan to manage the closure of the regional...
- Distinguished Visitors (0 speeches)
- (1 speech)
Just before I call the member for Banks, I'd just like to inform the House that we've just had join us in the gallery this afternoon a visiting parliamentary delegation from China, led by Mr Li...
- Questions without Notice (0 speeches)
- Employment (2 speeches)
():My question is to the Treasurer. Will the Treasurer update the House on what the government's economic policies have meant for the creation of Australian jobs, including in my electorate of...
- Energy (13 speeches)
My question is to the Prime Minister. Your minister for energy has claimed that since 2013 power prices have gone down in Sydney. Is he right?
- Workplace Relations (4 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 that employer and employee organisations...
- Energy (7 speeches)
My question is to the Prime Minister. Just over three months ago, the Prime Minister said about the clean energy target: … it has a lot of merit … as I say we will look at it very...
- Superannuation (3 speeches)
My question is to the Minister for Revenue and Financial Services. Will the minister update the House on the action the government is taking to ensure that the interests of hardworking...
- Turnbull Government (3 speeches)
My question is to the Prime Minister. Today is two years to the day since the current Prime Minister deposed the former Prime Minister, the member for Warringah. Is the Prime Minister aware it is...
- National Security (20 speeches)
My question is to the Minister for Immigration and Border Protection. Will the minister update the House on the importance of protecting the Australian community from dangerous noncitizens? What...
- Energy (9 speeches)
My question is to the Prime Minister. Australian businesses are still being offered gas contracts that are double or triple the price of their expiring contracts. The gas trigger must be pulled...
- Welfare Reform (4 speeches)
My question is to the Minister for Social Services. Will the minister update the House on how the government is using the welfare system to improve the health, welfare and wellbeing of Australian...
- Energy (3 speeches)
My question is to the Prime Minister. Yesterday, in response to a question about the seven power stations that have closed under this government, the Prime Minister boasted about an extra 2,900...
- Vaccination (4 speeches)
I have a question for the Minister for Health. Will the minister update the House on the government's strategy to improve immunisation rates right across the country? How does this translate into...
- Economy (5 speeches)
My question is to the Prime Minister. Can the Prime Minister confirm that he promised Australians economic leadership but has delivered flat wages growth, higher power prices and falling living...
- Welfare Reform (2 speeches)
My question is to the Minister for Human Services. Will the minister update the House on the progress of drug trials which involve a system of cashless welfare and compulsory treatment? What...
- Energy (12 speeches)
My question is to the Prime Minister. There are reports today that up to 10 coalition MPs are considering crossing the floor over the government's energy policy, like the Prime Minister did...
- Welfare Reform (9 speeches)
My question is to the Prime Minister. Will the Prime Minister update the House on actions taken by the government to defend Australian values and deliver better outcomes for welfare recipients,...
- Personal Explanations (0 speeches)
- (7 speeches)
Mr Speaker, I wish to make a personal explanation.
- 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.
- Statements on Indulgence (0 speeches)
- Statement by the Speaker (0 speeches)
- Parliament House: Security (1 speech)
I wish to provide the House with an update on construction work that will begin soon on the House of Representatives' entrance here at Parliament House. Members will recall that a program of...
- Matters of Public Importance (0 speeches)
- Turnbull Government (33 speeches)
I have received a letter from the honourable member for Maribyrnong proposing that a definite matter of public importance be submitted to the House for discussion, namely: The broken promises and...
- Committees (0 speeches)
- National Disability Insurance Scheme; Report (1 speech)
On behalf of the Joint Standing Committee on the National Disability Insurance Scheme, I present the committee's report entitled Provision of hearing services under the National Disability...
- Personal Explanations (0 speeches)
- (5 speeches)
Mr Deputy Speaker, I seek to make a personal explanation.
- Adjournment (0 speeches)
- Northern Territory: Business (1 speech)
I thank everyone for their patience while I get my phone sorted! Last night, I was very proud to co-host with Senator Nigel Scullion a bipartisan event called Facing North. I thank all those...
- Energy, AGL Pty Ltd (1 speech)
This afternoon, I call on the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission to investigate AGL over its conduct involving the Liddell power station. I will discuss, firstly, the importance of...
- Business (1 speech)
Five years ago, Daniel O'Connell took on a contract to do some plumbing work in a caravan park in regional Victoria. Daniel was commissioned to do the work by a firm called Global Contracting,...
- Capricornia Electorate: Lives Lived Well (1 speech)
At the end of last month, I attended the launch of an expanded drug and alcohol support facility in Rockhampton, Lives Lived Well. The primary health network has commissioned Lives Lived Well to...
- Greenway Electorate: Lalor Park (1 speech)
I rise to bring to the attention of the House a local constituency that is very close to my heart, the suburb of Lalor Park. It's where I grew up. It's where I went to school. There's a feeling...
- Air Safety (1 speech)
I rise to discuss matters concerning aviation safety and to submit to the parliament a view that Australia needs new safety standards for community service flights conducted on a voluntary basis....
- Constituency Statements (0 speeches)
- Richardson, Ms Fiona (2 speeches)
The idea of the Victorian parliament without Fiona Richardson is unthinkable. Indeed, the idea of the Labor Party without Fiona makes no sense at all, and the idea that Fiona will not be an...
- Petition: Climate Change (2 speeches)
May I, on behalf of the government, also join the member for Corio in acknowledging his kind remarks and appropriate remarks upon the death of Fiona Richardson. Today I rise to table a community...
- Vietnam: Human Rights (1 speech)
Upholding human rights is a virtue that members of this place and the wider Australian community have always seen as a cornerstone of a well-respected and functioning democracy. Unfortunately,...
- Robertson Electorate: Ward, Mr Bob (1 speech)
I rise today to pay tribute to Bob Ward, a highly respected and loved community leader in my electorate on the Central Coast, who died on 1 September after a battle with mesothelioma, aged 71....
- AgriFutures Rural Women's Awards (1 speech)
Last night I attended the AgriFutures Rural Women's Awards held here at Parliament House, and I was delighted to meet with Tasmanian finalist Bec Lynd, the owner of Big River Highland Beef, in...
- O'Connor Electorate: Gold Industry (1 speech)
I'd like to endorse the comments of the member for Lyons. I was also there last night. Tanya Dupayne is a constituent of mine, a wonderful young lady and a very deserving winner. It was a...
- R U OK? Day (1 speech)
Today is R U OK? Day. It's an important day that encourages all of us, individually, to take the time to start a meaningful conversation with someone we're worried about or who is doing it...
- Goldstein Electorate: Brighton Sports Clubs (1 speech)
On this R U OK? Day we extend our compassionate support to those who are suffering. We encourage everyone to ask people who they think may be vulnerable whether they are okay. But it is also an...
- Murphy, Ms Barbara (1 speech)
Thank you, Member for Sydney. I also would like to acknowledge that Barbara's husband, John Grimshaw, is in the audience with us today. Welcome.
- La Trobe Electorate: Bunjil Place (1 speech)
If no member present objects, three-minute constituency statements may continue for a total of 60 minutes.
- Grayndler Electorate: WestConnex (1 speech)
I rise to once again raise the impact of the WestConnex project on my electorate of Grayndler, and the need for there to be outcomes that are consistent with ensuring that the inner west remains...
- Banks Electorate: Community Events (1 speech)
From 25 September to 1 October, we have Men's Shed Week around Australia, and I want to take a moment to acknowledge the great work of Men's Shed in my electorate. We have three sheds in the...
- Australia-India Relationship (1 speech)
With the cricket season creeping upon us here in Australia, tens of millions of cricket fans around the world will have their eyes once again on the cricket teams and sporting prowess found in...
- R U OK? Day, Page Electorate: Alstonville High School Netball team, Australian Bravery Decorations (1 speech)
Today the community of Woolgoolga or, as we affectionately call it, Woopi, have come together to paint the town yellow in recognition of R U OK? Day and the very important message associated with...
- Burma (2 speeches)
I rise to speak on the dire situation faced by the Rohingya people in Myanmar in Rakhine State. Rakhine State is the poorest state in Myanmar. The ethnic Rakhine make up the majority of its...
- Petition: Climate Change (1 speech)
I present a petition on behalf of my constituents concerning climate change. The petition read as follows— This petition of concerned people of the electorate of Fisher draws to the...
- R U OK? Day (1 speech)
I rise today on this, the second Thursday of September, to recognise R U OK? Day. In its ninth iteration since beginning in 2009, R U OK? Day is an annual day to ask family, friends and work...
- Ryan Electorate: Anzac Memorial Church, Indooroopilly (1 speech)
I rise today to speak about the significance of the Anzac Memorial Church in Indooroopilly and its historical impact on the Ryan electorate. This church may well be the only building of any kind...
- Blueberries (1 speech)
Is this government about jobs and growth? Tasmania's and Australia's blueberry industry is being held back by the Deputy Prime Minister. An export opportunity to China is going begging. Chinese...
- Grey Electorate: Bridges Renewal Program (2 speeches)
I am very pleased to welcome the announcement this morning from the transport minister on the bridges renewal funding made available to the Northern Areas Council in South Australia for the...
- Committees (0 speeches)
- Health, Aged Care and Sport Committee; Report (1 speech)
I know the chair made a speech yesterday on the tabling of the report of the Standing Committee on Health, Aged Care and Sport entitled Still waiting to be heard: Report on the inquiry into the...
- Adjournment (0 speeches)
- St Albans Writers' Festival, Macquarie Electorate: Public Transport (1 speech)
For one weekend every September, the hamlet of St Albans, in the northernmost part of my electorate of Macquarie, becomes the hub of readers and writers, just as it has this year. The annual St...
- Singapore (1 speech)
Last week, on 6 September, the Minister for Trade, Tourism and Investment introduced the Customs Amendment (Singapore-Australia Free Trade Agreement Amendment Implementation) Bill 2017 into...
- Indi Electorate: Community Services (1 speech)
Colleagues, my topic today is regional solutions and the role the government has in supporting communities. The government have told us that they don't have all the answers and that the most...
- Cashless Debit Card (1 speech)
My contribution this morning has to do with the cashless welfare card. Because of widespread local concern about high levels of alcohol consumption and, to a lesser extent, illicit drug use and...
- Turnbull Government (1 speech)
Today marks two years since our Prime Minister, Malcolm Turnbull, became Prime Minister. There were many across the country who welcomed the change from the member for Warringah to the member for...
- Goldstein Electorate (1 speech)
Today I would like to bring to the attention of the House a wonderful visit by the Minister for Foreign Affairs recently to the wonderful electorate of Goldstein. We were very fortunate that the...
- Centrelink (1 speech)
I am deeply concerned about the long periods many Australians are waiting even for simple Centrelink claims to be processed. We know people are waiting several weeks and even months for...
- Calare Electorate: Central West Australian Football League (1 speech)
The Central West AFL season has concluded, and I would like to recognise the Central West AFL board members for another great year: chair Craig Gale, secretary Kass Ings and treasurer Gavin...
- Commonwealth Public Service (1 speech)
In The Government and the People, 1939-1941, Sir Paul Hasluck exposed the administrative heartache and headache caused by the dispersal of the Commonwealth Public Service, saying it 'wasted time...
- Construction, Forestry, Mining and Energy Union (1 speech)
The CFMEU is the gift that keeps on giving. Today in The Australian we see that yesterday the courts handed down unprecedented penalties for the CFMEU's concerted campaign of industrial...
- Mayo Electorate: Public Transport (1 speech)
Today I'm pleased to announce much-needed changes to public transport in my electorate of Mayo. Following months of community consultation, and then negotiations with the South Australian...
