House debates
Monday, 26 February 2018
- Statement by the Speaker (0 speeches)
- Parliament House: Security (1 speech)
Members will recall that, on 30 November 2016, question time was interrupted by a group of protesters in the public galleries and on the following day further protests occurred outside of the...
- Committees (0 speeches)
- Petitions Committee; Report (1 speech)
Today I present the 21st report of the Petitions Committee for the 45th Parliament, together with three petitions and 10 ministerial responses to petitions previously presented. The three...
- Petitions (0 speeches)
- Responses (1 speech)
I present the following ministerial responses to petitions previously presented:
- Delegation Reports (0 speeches)
- Notices (0 speeches)
- (1 speech)
Pursuant to standing order 113, I fix the next sitting Monday as the day for presenting the Fair Work Amendment (Making Australia More Equal) Bill 2018.
- Bills (0 speeches)
- Private Members' Business (0 speeches)
- Aged Care (15 speeches)
I move: That this House: (1) notes that the latest: (a) waiting list for Home Care Packages (HCP) indicates that more than 100,000 older Australians are waiting for the package they have been...
- Ukraine Famine: 85th Anniversary (6 speeches)
I move: That this House: (1) notes that commemorations are underway for the eighty-fifth anniversary of Holodomor, to mark an enforced famine in Ukraine caused by the deliberate actions of Joseph...
- Bills (0 speeches)
- Statements by Members (0 speeches)
- National Disability Insurance Scheme (1 speech)
Cheryl McDonald lives in Lindsay. She is a constituent of mine who called my office. She's a mum, she's a wife, she's a retired office worker and she's a nanna. I want to thank her for allowing...
- Aquaculture Industry (1 speech)
Last week I had a visit from the assistant minister for fisheries, Anne Ruston. We visited a number of businesses in my electorate. In particular, we went to Cowell, where we visited the...
- Lalor Electorate: Agriculture Industry (1 speech)
In September 2015 I wrote to then Minister Joyce about Werribee South growers and our irrigation district—a place in this country that is part of Melbourne's salad bowl. I asked that the...
- Diabetes (1 speech)
Last week I had the privilege of meeting with one of my constituents, Ms Peta Hendy. Peta has had type 1 diabetes for coming up to 20 years, as have many of her family members, and, sadly,...
- Batman By-Election (1 speech)
When it comes to the Adani Carmichael mine, the Greens have no actual plan to stop this project. All they have is a cynical two-word slogan that they think will trick voters. The fact is nothing...
- Gilmore Electorate: Regional Jobs and Investment Packages (1 speech)
I rise to thank the Minister for Regional Development, Territories and Local Government for coming to Gilmore last week to have a look at some of the amazing businesses that have received...
- Batman By-Election (1 speech)
Politics makes strange bedfellows, it's said, and the Batman by-election is making this very clear. We have the Liberals, our party of government, who can't get enough of talking about the Batman...
- Forde Electorate: Emergency Response (1 speech)
It's with great pleasure that I stand to speak and celebrate once again the tremendous efforts of our local SES heroes and volunteers. In South-East Queensland recently we've seen a series of...
- Indi Electorate: Public Transport (1 speech)
There's a recognised need for urgent upgrades to the north-east railway line and new rolling stock. Among the technical reasons we've heard often in this House, the real reason that I'm speaking...
- Bonner Electorate: Red Frogs Australia (1 speech)
Today isn't the first time I've mentioned Red Frogs here, and it certainly won't be the last. No, I'm not talking about my alleged chamber lolly stash! Last Thursday, I was delighted to have the...
- Batman By-Election (1 speech)
Australia faces a crisis in housing affordability, with the homeownership rate now at a 60-year low. Nowhere is this clearer than in Batman. For example, in the suburb of Northcote the median...
- Fisher Electorate: Sunshine Coast Casino (1 speech)
Last week, Sunshine Coast residents learnt that the Queensland state Labor government has been involving itself in promoting the disastrous possibility of a casino in Maroochydore by inviting...
- Batman By-Election (1 speech)
Batman, like a number of seats in Melbourne, is a working-class area. It's a proud Labor area. It's one of the areas that really stood up and fought, with working people who fought for the...
- Robertson Electorate: Gosford Regional Performing Arts Centre (1 speech)
I rise to update the House and my electorate about Gosford's regional performing arts and conference centre, a major commitment to my Central Coast community. The coalition government has...
- Batman By-Election (1 speech)
Labor is the party of transparency and accountability in government. We are committed to establishing a National Integrity Commission if we win the next election because we understand how...
- O'Connor Electorate: Hawthorn House (1 speech)
Last Friday, I was privileged to enjoy some amazing home baked scones with the friends of Hawthorn House, an Alzheimer's respite facility in Albany. The celebration was to honour the generous...
- Leader of The Nationals (1 speech)
I want to take this opportunity to congratulate the member for Riverina as the new Leader of the National Party and I want to reflect on the leaders who've come before him. There was the great...
- Taxation (1 speech)
Australia needs to talk income tax. Many young Australians may not pay a large share of income tax now, but when their careers kick off they'll be copping a nasty bill. Half of all federal tax...
- Sexual Assault and Sexual Harassment (1 speech)
This week the government gave a sterling guide of how not to deal with sexual harassment complaints. Firstly, the former Deputy Prime Minister called for allegations against him to be referred to...
- Insight Education Centre for the Blind and Vision Impaired (2 speeches)
Today I would like to briefly highlight the dilemma of Insight Education in Berwick. Based in the La Trobe electorate, this is the only dedicated school for blind and visually impaired students...
- Ministerial Arrangements (0 speeches)
- (3 speeches)
by leave—Following the resignation of the member for New England as Leader of the National Party and as Deputy Prime Minister, the National Party have elected the member for Riverina as...
- Questions without Notice (0 speeches)
- Ministerial Code of Conduct (6 speeches)
My question is to the Prime Minister. I refer to the Prime Minister's inept failure to enforce his own ministerial standards. Is the Prime Minister powerless to act against a minister who...
- Australia-United States Relationship (2 speeches)
My question is to the Prime Minister. Will the Prime Minister update the House on the strength of Australia's economic and security relationship with the United States?
- Coalition Agreement (9 speeches)
My question is to the Prime Minister. Is the Prime Minister aware that, when asked why the secret coalition agreement should not be made public, the Deputy Leader of the Nationals said yesterday:...
- Economy (4 speeches)
My question is to the Prime Minister. Will the Prime Minister advise the House how the government's plans for lower taxes will strengthen the economy, create jobs and grow wages, including in my...
- Coalition Agreement (12 speeches)
My question is to the Prime Minister, and I refer him to his previous answer on the question of the coalition agreement. Can the Prime Minister confirm that his government has spent almost three...
- Distinguished Visitors (0 speeches)
- (1 speech)
I'd like to inform the House that we have present— Mr Hunt interjecting— If the Minister for Health could cease interjecting—I'm just trying to welcome a delegation; I think we...
- Questions without Notice (0 speeches)
- Deputy Prime Minister (6 speeches)
My question is to the Deputy Prime Minister. Documents available on the official climatechangeinaustralia.gov.au website state: However, in your first speech only a few years ago, you said that,...
- Infrastructure (2 speeches)
I actually do have a question for the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Infrastructure and Transport. Will the Deputy Prime Minister update the House on how the coalition government's record...
- Distinguished Visitors (0 speeches)
- (1 speech)
Before I call the member for Kingston, I'd like to inform the House that we also have present in the gallery this afternoon His Excellency Dr Michael Pulch, the ambassador and head of delegation...
- Questions without Notice (0 speeches)
- Water (2 speeches)
My question is to the Prime Minister. Is the Prime Minister aware of a report that to become Prime Minister he made an agreement which gave the member for New England and the National Party...
- National Security (2 speeches)
My question is to the Minister for Foreign Affairs. Will she update the House on her recent trip to the Middle East and progress in the fight against ISIS in Syria?
- Charitable Organisations (2 speeches)
My question is to the Prime Minister. Can the Prime Minister confirm that Australian charities will be caught in the government's foreign donation laws? Why is the good work of Australian...
- Economy (2 speeches)
My question is to the Treasurer. Will the Treasurer update the House on recent data releases on wage growth and any recent commentary on wages growth in Australia?
- Ministerial Code of Conduct (2 speeches)
My question is to the Prime Minister. In Senate estimates, during question time, it has been revealed that on 21 February the Prime Minister asked the secretary of his department to provide...
- National Security (4 speeches)
My question is to the Minister for Home Affairs. Will the minister update the House on the importance of a strong and consistent approach to border protection? Is the minister aware of any...
- Taxation (4 speeches)
My question is to the Prime Minister. With wages growth at record lows under this government, why is this inept Prime Minister making working Australians pay $300 more a year in income tax while...
- Consumer Protection (3 speeches)
My question is to the Minister for Revenue and Financial Services. Almost one year ago the minister said that legislation which would reform payday lending and rent-to-buy schemes would be...
- Defence Industry (4 speeches)
My question is to the Minister for Defence Industry. Will the minister outline to the House how the government's investment in defence industry projects like OneSKY will support hundreds of jobs...
- Rural and Regional Australia: Payday Loans and Consumer Leases (10 speeches)
My question as to the Minister for Agriculture and Water Resources, and it concerns farming families. Is the minister concerned the government's inept delay at introducing reforms to payday...
- Economy (2 speeches)
My question is to the Minister for Trade, Tourism and Investment. Will the minister outline the benefits of trade and investment for creating more and better-paying jobs? Is the minister aware of...
- Publications Joint Committee (3 speeches)
My question is to the member for Dawson in his capacity as the chair of the Joint Committee on Publications. When does his committee next intend to hold public hearings? Will those public...
- South Australia: Hospitals (3 speeches)
My question is to the Minister for Health. Will the minister outline to the House how the Turnbull government's strong economic record enables us to deliver record hospital funding support for...
- Questions to the Speaker (0 speeches)
- Joint Committee on Publications (2 speeches)
Mr Speaker, I have a question to you, arising from the answer given by the member for Dawson. The member for Dawson has advised the House that there is a parliamentary committee that no longer...
- Parliamentary Representation (0 speeches)
- Feeney, Hon. David (1 speech)
I present a letter from the Chief Executive and Principal Registrar of the High Court, forwarding, in accordance with section 376 of the Commonwealth Electoral Act 1918, a copy of the orders made...
- Auditor-General's Reports (0 speeches)
- Reports Nos 28 and 29 of 2017-18 (1 speech)
I present the Auditor-General's Audit reports for 2017-18 entitled Audit report No. 28, Performance audit: Defence's procurement of fuels, petroleum, oils, lubricants, and card services:...
- 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.
- Bills (0 speeches)
- Adjournment (0 speeches)
- Banking and Financial Services (1 speech)
Last week I spoke with Michael. Michael is not his real name—I'm using that name to protect him. I spoke with him just after he withdrew cash from a machine located in a retail shop in one...
- Australian Labor Party (3 speeches)
Well, what a surprise. After Bill Shorten and Labor's embarrassment at their failed 'Mediscare' campaign, you would think they would think twice about peddling a new negative campaign of lies....
- Australian Broadcasting Corporation (1 speech)
I am a devotee of the ABC. I have grown up with the likes of Richard Carleton, Mike Carlton, Bill Peach, Paul Lyneham, Andrew Olle, Margaret Throsby, Caroline Jones and, more recently, Andrew...
- Bonner Electorate: Infrastructure (1 speech)
Last week I spoke here on a much-needed infrastructure upgrade in my electorate—to the dangerous Lindum Station crossing intersection, which I'm currently running a petition to fix. For...
- Adelaide Airport Curfew (1 speech)
I rise today to talk about the Adelaide Airport curfew, and how important it is to keep the curfew and the existing regulations in place. When I was re-elected in 2016, one example that I gave...
- Fisher Electorate: Economy (1 speech)
This matter was discussed widely last week. Like the overwhelming majority of my constituents, I oppose the construction of a casino on the Sunshine Coast. While no-one is more committed than I...
- Wallarah 2 Coal Project (1 speech)
I rise to speak briefly on a matter that is located outside my electorate but which has struck a nerve in my community because of the potential impacts that would be seen right across the Central...
- Constituency Statements (0 speeches)
- Health Care (1 speech)
It's a very sad fact that we are currently facing a crisis in the Tasmanian health system. I recently brought to the attention of the House the story of a constituent of mine, Anna. Anna suffers...
- O'Connor Electorate: Gold Coast Commonwealth Games Baton Relay (1 speech)
Last week, I was honoured to witness the Gold Coast 2018 Commonwealth Games Queen's Baton Relay as it passed through four towns in my electorate. It was an exciting couple of days, with the baton...
- HMAS Darwin (1 speech)
The US Ship USS Canberra served in the US Navy from 1947 to 1970, and the US have just announced that they will name their next warship the USS Canberra. Ships names are reborn, you see, and...
- Robertson Electorate: Domestic and Family Violence (1 speech)
I rise to speak about a breakthrough that will directly help some of the most vulnerable people in my local community. Last week I was very pleased to welcome the Attorney-General, Christian...
- Corio Electorate: Education (1 speech)
Back in 2011 the review of funding for schools was really a breakthrough in policy in this place around ensuring that all children would get proper education irrespective of where they lived and...
- Goldstein Electorate: Community Organisations (1 speech)
The Goldstone electorate is blessed with so many community organisations that do incredible work. Last Saturday I attended the 175th anniversary dinner of the Brighton Cricket Club at Brighton...
- Northern Territory: Infrastructure (1 speech)
Today is a very important day for south-east Arnhem Land as we see the official opening of two high-level bridges over the Roper and Wilton Rivers. These are important. I announced these projects...
- Berwick College (1 speech)
Today I would like bring the attention of the House to Berwick secondary college, and especially to their need for a health and wellbeing centre. First of all, I congratulate principal Kerri...
- Hindmarsh Electorate: Centrelink (1 speech)
I rise today to highlight the government's failure to address the inaccessibility of Centrelink for my constituents. As the member for Hindmarsh, I take this opportunity to share some of the...
- Bennelong Electorate: Lunar New Year (2 speeches)
We are halfway through celebrating the Lunar New Year, or the Chinese New Year, depending on which side of the railway line you are on in Eastwood. We started on the previous weekend with a...
- Private Members' Business (0 speeches)
- Regional Australia: Employment (10 speeches)
Today I am proud to stand in this place and take up the fight against the Turnbull government's severe job cuts to Public Service jobs in Townsville, and I move: That this House: (1) notes that...
- Mining (15 speeches)
I move: That this House: (1) supports the Carmichael Coal Mine and Rail Project because: (a) its proponents, Adani Australia, already employ 800 workers in Queensland; (b) it will open up the...
- Home Care Packages (9 speeches)
People don't contact their federal member of parliament very often to say that everything is great. They call us when they feel there is nowhere else to go because a system of some sort is...
- Trans-Pacific Partnership Agreement (8 speeches)
The wonderful electorate of Goldstein is full of many enterprising and entrepreneurial individuals. We may not have a particularly industry-filled electorate—in fact, our major centre of...
- Statements by Members (0 speeches)
- Calwell Electorate: Education, St George Chaldean Church (1 speech)
Yesterday I attended a very special church service led by Father Maher Gurges of the St George Chaldean Church in Campbellfield. I joined hundreds of my local Iraqi Chaldean parishioners in a...
- Murkies, Mrs Ada (1 speech)
Today we honour Ada Murkies, a Brighton resident and successful fashion designer who has had an extraordinary journey through life. I am looking forward to celebrating the triumph of Mrs...
- Centrelink (1 speech)
I'm sure mine is not the only electorate where people have been left waiting on the phone, for hours sometimes, just to be able to speak to someone on the other end of the line at Centrelink....
- Eyre Premium Hay (1 speech)
Last week, on Friday and Saturday, I had the pleasure of a visit from Senator Anne Ruston, the assistant minister for agriculture, to my home town of Kimba. We visited two businesses. In...
- Klepacz, Mr Christopher (1 speech)
I rise today to talk about an extraordinary young man named Christopher Klepacz. I was honoured last week to be able to present him with a belated 2018 Holt Australia Day Award. Christopher is a...
- Employment (1 speech)
Last week I had the amazing pleasure of going down to my region—which, as we all know, has got high unemployment—and announcing some of the projects that have been put into that area...
- Australian Sovereignty (1 speech)
Today is an important day in the defence of Australian sovereignty, with the publication of the book Silent Invasion by Clive Hamilton. It is a little melodramatically named, but it creates...
- Qantas (1 speech)
I rise to welcome the announcement by Qantas late last week to create a new pilot training academy in regional Australia. To the board and management Qantas, you can take this as an early pitch...
- Influenza Vaccine (1 speech)
I rise to deliver an important update specifically for people over the age of 65 in my electorate on the Central Coast. This year, the coalition government will provide two new flu vaccines to...
- Australian Pesticides and Veterinary Medicines Authority (1 speech)
It is my fervent hope that, with the member for New England's move to the back bench, the coalition's attack on the Public Service will also take a step back. Since the coalition came to office...
- Bonner Electorate: Small Business Expo (1 speech)
The Small Business Expo has had a great run on the Gold Coast and in Logan over the last six years. Now, for the first time, the expo will be coming to Brisbane on Friday, 4 May, and I'm thrilled...
- Deputy Prime Minister (3 speeches)
The Nationals have a new leader and with a new leader should come new direction, so I'm calling on the member for Riverina, the new Deputy Prime Minister, to put an end to the shameful, blatant...
- Fadden Electorate: Livingstone Christian College (1 speech)
I wish to report to the House an outstanding achievement by one of my local schools, Livingstone Christian College. It was founded in 2002, and some areas of the college previously ranked in the...
- Barton Electorate: Chinese-Australian Community, Barton Electorate: Greek-Australian Community (1 speech)
I rise to wish everyone in the electorate of Barton a very happy Lunar New Year, the Year of the Dog. Barton is one of the most culturally and linguistically diverse electorates in Australia. It...
- Fisher Electorate: Stronger Communities Program (1 speech)
Last Wednesday I hosted a morning tea at my electorate office to celebrate the important work of community groups in Fisher. The wet and windy weather didn't dampen spirits as we gathered to...
- Northern Territory: National Party (1 speech)
The portfolios of Resources and Northern Australia; Regional Development, Territories and Local Government; Veterans' Affairs; Indigenous Affairs; and Urban Infrastructure and Cities are all held...
- Women in Sport: Soccer (1 speech)
I take this opportunity to commend Loganholme Lightning FC women's team for their entry into the women's National Premier Leagues. Whilst it has been an unfortunately difficult start for the team...
- Syria (1 speech)
Over the last week more than 500 civilians in Eastern Ghouta outside Damascus have been killed through an indiscriminate and unconscionable bombing campaign by the Syrian government. The dead...
- O'Connor Electorate: Indigenous Employment (1 speech)
The northern Goldfields town of Laverton is one of the most remote towns in my electorate. It sits at the start of the Outback Way, the iconic tourist route linking WA to Queensland. Laverton...
- Brand Electorate: Weather, Rockingham-Kwinana State Emergency Service Unit (1 speech)
Yesterday the Rockingham community in my electorate of Brand was lashed by a powerful summer storm that tore roofs from homes and businesses, damaged properties, uprooted trees and cause flash...
- Thorne, Mr Jack, K&S Freighters (1 speech)
I rise to speak about a young man's tough six-month journey back into employment. Jack Thorne is a young man who lives in Worrolong in my electorate of Barker. I first met Jack in a formal...
- Macquarie Electorate: ZEST Awards (1 speech)
I was delighted to be able to attend recently the ZEST Awards, which celebrate the inspiring successes of the community workers and groups across Western Sydney. Many of my constituents were...
- La Trobe Electorate: Roads (1 speech)
I rise today to speak once again about the need for road upgrades in La Trobe and the role they play in increasing employment. In the La Trobe electorate there is 26 hectares of land known as...
- George, Mrs Ann (1 speech)
I rise with a heavy heart to inform the House of the passing of local resident and shining light for the south-west Brisbane community, Mrs Ann George. Ann was 74 when she passed away a fortnight...
- Petition: Climate Change (1 speech)
I represent in this place an electorate whose residents often hold strong and passionate views about protecting our environment. This is seen locally in the work of so many to protect our...
- Goods and Services Tax (3 speeches)
Queenslanders will suffer if the Turnbull government guts our state's fair share of GST.
- Bennelong Electorate: Lunar New Year (1 speech)
Over the past couple of weeks I've been fortunate enough to participate in the local Lunar New Year festivities of Bennelong. This year marked the 10th anniversary of the Eastwood Lunar New Year...
- Banking and Financial Services (2 speeches)
Today is D-day for the loan sharks in this country. It's time that the coalition started standing up for vulnerable Australians and started protecting consumers. Today, the member for Perth and I...
- Motions (0 speeches)
- Yazidi People (7 speeches)
I ask leave of the Federation Chamber to amend notice No. 3, private members' business, in the terms as circulated. Leave granted. I move: That this House: (1) notes that: (a)...
- Universities Funding (14 speeches)
As I've said in this place, one of the things that led me here was a comment once made by a Liberal predecessor in Lindsay, the former MP Jackie Kelly, when she famously declared that Western...
- Australia Day Awards (6 speeches)
The Order of Australia Award is an opportunity for us to pause and reflect on some of the people who make our country so great. Over 30,000 people have received awards since 1975 and no doubt...
- Eureka Stockade Flag (37 speeches)
I move: That this House: (1) notes that: (a) both the Building Code 2013 (2013 Code) and the Code for the Tendering and Performance of Building Work 2016 (2016 Code) require code covered entities...
