House debates
Monday, 13 August 2018
- Statement by the Speaker (0 speeches)
- Petitions (0 speeches)
- Petitions Committee; Report (1 speech)
Today I present the 26th report of the Petitions Committee for the 45th Parliament.
- Responses (1 speech)
I present the following ministerial responses to 12 petitions previously received:
- Statements (1 speech)
Of the 17 petitions I present to the House today, sixteen are e-petitions. In total 309 e-petitions have now been presented to the House during the 45th Parliament, either by myself as Chair of...
- Business (0 speeches)
- Rearrangement (1 speech)
At the request of the member for Kennedy, I fix Monday, 10 September 2018 as the day for presenting the Inland Rail Project (Improving Accountability) Bill 2018.
- Bills (0 speeches)
- Private Members' Business (0 speeches)
- Volunteering (15 speeches)
I move: That this House: (1) recognises the fantastic contribution that volunteers make to the community of Bonner, and to Australia in general; (2) notes there are 8 million volunteers around...
- Business (0 speeches)
- Leave of Absence (2 speeches)
I move: That leave of absence until 24 August 2018 be given to the honourable member for Gorton for personal reasons. Members would be aware that Brendan O'Connor's wife, Jodi Dack, passed away...
- Committees (0 speeches)
- Bills (0 speeches)
- Committees (0 speeches)
- Membership (1 speech)
by leave—I move: That: (1) Mr van Manen be discharged from the Joint Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade and that, in his place, Mr Drum be appointed a member of the...
- Bills (0 speeches)
- Statements by Members (0 speeches)
- Australian Jewish War Memorial (1 speech)
It was a great honour to represent the Leader of the Opposition yesterday at the dedication ceremony of the new Australian Jewish War Memorial in the grounds of the National Jewish Memorial...
- Rebound WA (1 speech)
Recently I took on Rebound WA's Wheelchair Challenge. Members of the community can accept the challenge and spend just one day of their life in a wheelchair while also raising funds to support...
- Aged Care (1 speech)
I wish to draw the attention of the House to the atrocious waiting lists that continue for older Australians to access in-home care packages and the dire circumstances that families now find...
- Flynn Electorate: Creed Family (1 speech)
On Saturday, 11 August, I attended celebrations to unveil a 150-year plaque for the Creed family at The Old Station, Raglan. It was also a celebration of the Australian Century Farm and Station...
- Energy (1 speech)
I rise with great concern about the news that's been emerging today about proposals to support or, indeed, launch new coal-fired power stations at the expense of the public taxpayer. This is...
- Sunshine Coast Lightning (1 speech)
Lightning struck the Boondall entertainment centre on Sunday afternoon. It was the semifinals of the National Netball League, and the reigning champions, the Sunshine Coast Lightning, won. They...
- Burt Electorate: Denny Avenue Level Crossing Removal (1 speech)
I stand in this place today to celebrate a win I have been fighting for for over a decade. It's something you've all heard me go on and on about since the first time I set foot in this...
- Black Dog Ride (1 speech)
I love the feeling of freedom and exhilaration that riding a motorbike brings, and it is even better when motorbike riding is done with other enthusiasts for a good cause. On Saturday, my good...
- Asylum Seekers (1 speech)
The health and healthcare situation on Manus and Nauru is desperate. Some of the most shocking individual cases include a 12-year-old boy who has overdosed twice in the past fortnight, an...
- Linke's Bakehouse & Pantry (1 speech)
I rise to speak about a great family-owned business in my electorate that has just celebrated its 80th anniversary. The story of Linke's Bakehouse & Pantry started in the Depression of 1933,...
- Federal By-Elections (1 speech)
In a few moments a number of members will walk through that door to be sworn back in or sworn in for the first time as members of parliament: the members for Longman, Braddon, Mayo and Fremantle,...
- Drought (1 speech)
It comes as no surprise to members of this House that there is a drought gripping most of Australia. A lot of publicity and attention has quite rightly been on eastern Australia, New South Wales...
- Greece: Fires (1 speech)
In early July we saw the devastation of wildfires on the Attica coast in Greece. They were the second-deadliest wildfires in this century, after the 2009 Black Saturday fires here in Australia. I...
- Stronger Communities Program (1 speech)
In the 2018 federal budget the Australian government committed to a fourth round of the Stronger Communities Program, a program every member in this House has enjoyed assisting their communities...
- Prime Minister (1 speech)
We return today to the chamber in a post Super Saturday world. The Prime Minister's words are ringing in my ears. He said that he would look very seriously and thoughtfully, and humbly, at the...
- Agriculture Industry (1 speech)
I'm taking this opportunity to get a better deal for our farmers. I'm calling on Coles, Woolworths, ALDI Australia and IGA Australia to consider increasing the amount they pay our farmers for...
- Pauline Hanson's One Nation (1 speech)
There can be no hiding the fact that this government is in lock step with One Nation. As a result of the Longman by-election, this union has delivered a primary vote for the LNP of just 29 per...
- Forde Electorate: Sport (1 speech)
The electorate of Forde is fortunate to have so many up-and-coming sporting champions, both young men and young women, across many codes. Indeed, some of the talent nurtured in my electorate has...
- Longman By-Election (1 speech)
In a few minutes, my friend Susan Lamb is going to walk in here with some other people and be sworn in as the member for Longman. I'm very happy to see that—someone that personifies Labor...
- Bonner: Taxation (2 speeches)
Last week I had a big turnout at my roundtable on Labor's retiree and pensioners' tax. It just goes to show how worried the community is about Labor's retiree tax grab. I want to thank the...
- Parliamentary Representation (0 speeches)
- Members Sworn (1 speech)
I have received returns to writs which I issued on 15 June 2018 for the election of members to serve for the electoral divisions of Longman, Mayo, Braddon, Fremantle and Perth in the states of...
- Ministerial Statements (0 speeches)
- Drought (2 speeches)
I rise to update the House on the drought, to affirm the nation's support for our courageous farmers and farming communities and to outline measures we are taking to help. All of New South Wales...
- Questions without Notice (0 speeches)
- Taxation (4 speeches)
Before I start, can I just say that it's marvellous to have these four MPs back in parliament. My question is to the Prime Minister. The government said that the by-elections would be a...
- Caboolture Hospital (4 speeches)
My question is to the Prime Minister. Why is the Prime Minister cutting $2.9 million from the Caboolture Hospital, while giving $17 billion to the big banks?
- Income Tax (2 speeches)
My question is to the Treasurer. Will the Treasurer update the House on the impact of the government's legislated personal income tax cuts for all Australians, including in my electorate of...
- Tasmania: Health Care (2 speeches)
My question is to the Prime Minister. The people of Braddon voted for more money for schools and hospitals, not banks. Instead of giving $17 billion to the big banks, why won't the Prime Minister...
- Distinguished Visitors (0 speeches)
- (1 speech)
I inform the House that we have joining us in the gallery this afternoon Ros Bates, the Queensland shadow minister for health, ambulance services and women. On behalf of the House I extend a warm...
- Questions without Notice (0 speeches)
- Energy (2 speeches)
My question is to the Minister for the Environment and Energy. My question is about the modelling underpinning the final proposed design of the National Energy Guarantee. In response to requests...
- Regional Australia (4 speeches)
My question is to the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Infrastructure and Transport. Will the Deputy Prime Minister update the House on how the government is supporting small businesses in...
- Fremantle Hospital and Health Service (2 speeches)
My question is to the Prime Minister. The people of Fremantle voted overwhelmingly for more money for schools and hospitals, not banks. Instead of giving $17 billion to the big banks, a policy...
- Taxation (6 speeches)
My question is to the Minister for Revenue and Financial Services. Will the minister update the House on how the government is helping Australians, including those in my electorate of O'Connor,...
- Great Barrier Reef Foundation (3 speeches)
My question is to the Prime Minister. Today Nine News has reported that the almost half a billion dollars of taxpayers' money that the Prime Minister offered to a small private foundation in a...
- National Security (2 speeches)
My question is to the Minister for Home Affairs. Will the minister update the House on the importance of having strong and consistent border protection policies? What action is the government...
- Great Barrier Reef Foundation (7 speeches)
My question is to the Prime Minister. Yesterday the environment minister said there was extensive due diligence before the Prime Minister offered a small private foundation almost half a billion...
- Energy (7 speeches)
My question is to the Minister for the Environment and Energy. Will the minister update the House on what the government is doing to lower energy prices for Australian households and businesses,...
- Defence Procurement (2 speeches)
My question is to the Minister for Defence Industry. My question to the minister is can he update the House on the recent decisions by the government that are creating jobs and building the...
- Great Barrier Reef Foundation (5 speeches)
My question is to the environment minister. In his previous answer, the minister claimed there was extensive due diligence and that that examined the fundraising history of the foundation. On 6...
- Drought (2 speeches)
My question is to the Minister for Agriculture and Water Resources. Will the minister update the House on how the government is providing financial support to farmers and building drought...
- Great Barrier Reef Foundation (2 speeches)
My question is to the environment minister. Earlier in question time today the environment minister said that the department assessed the foundation's proposal. When did the department receive...
- Infrastructure (5 speeches)
My question is to the Minister for Urban Infrastructure and Cities. Will the minister update the House on how the government's investment in infrastructure compares with previous periods,...
- Personal Explanations (0 speeches)
- (15 speeches)
Mr Speaker, I seek to make a personal explanation.
- Committees (0 speeches)
- Petitions Committee; Report (1 speech)
I present the Speaker's response to the recommendations of the report of the Standing Committee on Petitions entitled Making voices heard: inquiry into the e-petitioning system of the House of...
- Auditor-General's Reports (0 speeches)
- Report No. 1 of 2018-19 (1 speech)
I present the Auditor-General's Audit report No. 1 2018-19, entitled The implementation and performance of the cashless debit card trial: Department of Social Services. Document made a...
- Documents (0 speeches)
- Commonwealth Ombudsman; Presentation (1 speech)
I present the report on the Commonwealth Ombudsman's activities under section 65(6) of the Building and Construction Industry (Improving Productivity) Act 2016 for the period 1 July to 30...
- Committees (0 speeches)
- Government Response (1 speech)
I present a revised schedule of government responses to reports of the House of Representatives and joint committees for the period from 7 December 2017 to 27 June 2018. Copies of the schedule...
- 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.
- Committees (0 speeches)
- Bills (0 speeches)
- Adjournment (0 speeches)
- Braddon By-Election (1 speech)
On another topic, I want to put on the record my deep and sincere thanks to the people of Braddon for giving me the opportunity to return today to the federal parliament. It is a tremendous...
- Leichhardt Electorate: Theatres (1 speech)
I rise tonight to talk about a much-loved community asset in my electorate, the Rondo Theatre. Founded in 1953, the Cairns Little Theatre is a community driven, incorporated amateur theatrical...
- Longman Electorate (1 speech)
It's been quite some time since I rose to address this chamber—96 days in fact, not that I was counting, of course. It's been 96 days since I stood in this chamber and declared: I am not...
- Dunn, Mr Robert Riddell (1 speech)
Robert Riddell Dunn was born on 12 April 1929 and passed away on 25 June 2018. First and foremost, Rob was a husband, a father and then a grandfather with very strong family values. I was lucky...
- Fremantle By-Election (1 speech)
I am glad, grateful and humble to have been re-elected as the member for Fremantle. It is a great privilege, and it brings with it a great responsibility. The trust placed in me as a...
- Energy (2 speeches)
Tonight in Woolbrook, where I grew up, it's going to be minus three. On Sunday it will be minus six. In Armidale it will be minus eight. I say this so that people can clearly understand why I...
- Constituency Statements (0 speeches)
- Australian American Leadership Dialogue, Solomon Electorate (2 speeches)
Thank you, Deputy Speaker Gee, for stepping into the breach. Parliamentarians often refer to July as the winter break, but up in the north it's been non-stop action—the dry season is here....
- Bradfield Electorate: Support Lindfield (1 speech)
I rise to acknowledge the work of community group Support Lindfield in advocating for a revitalisation of the commercial heart of Lindfield through an intelligent development of the land behind...
- Status Resolution Support Services (1 speech)
I rise today, on behalf of my Hotham community, to speak out against the government's cuts to Status Resolution Support Services. SRSS is designed to support people who are on bridging visas in...
- Eugowra Country Women's Association: 90th Anniversary (1 speech)
The Country Women's Association is part of the heart and soul of regional Australia and I'm delighted to share with this chamber that the Eugowra branch of the CWA has just celebrated its 90th...
- Moreton Electorate: Roads (1 speech)
'Tonight I rise to speak about the Coopers Plains level crossing in my electorate. This is a very dangerous level crossing and an overpass should have been built there some 25 years ago. Lack of...
- Moore Electorate: Sacred Heart College (1 speech)
Earlier this month, I visited Sacred Heart College in Sorrento to present a number of students with certificates of commendation for their voluntary work in social justice. I joined Principal...
- Child Care (1 speech)
Last week was Early Learning Matters Week. I had the pleasure of visiting Goodstart in Wentworthville. I thank the centre director, Rebecca, for that opportunity. It was great to hear directly...
- Harris Cycle Co., Trustum, Ms Helen (1 speech)
In today's society it is rare that any business can reach 100 years of age, but that is exactly what the Harris Cycle Co. of Lismore has done this year, celebrating its 100th birthday. The Harris...
- Turnbull Government: Average Staffing Level Cap (1 speech)
I rise here today to stand against the Turnbull government and its complete and utter disrespect for our public sector. As a nation, we should want the best and brightest working in our...
- Canning Electorate: Building Better Regions Fund (2 speeches)
The northernmost tip of the Canning electorate is located approximately 30 kilometres from the Perth CBD. From there it sprawls southward over the Perth hills, down through farmland and forest...
- Private Members' Business (0 speeches)
- Energy (13 speeches)
I move: I don't think anyone in this place would disagree that unsustainable rising energy prices are a critical top-of-mind concern right across the nation. That applies to residents and...
- Mental Health (13 speeches)
I move: That this House: (1) recognises that mental health is a crucial area that needs attention; (2) notes that the Government has made mental health a priority and is a key pillar of the...
- Payday Loans (11 speeches)
I move: In moving this motion, I give notice that in the current sitting period I will bring forward a series of measures to address the emerging cracks and compounding impact of failures in the...
- Roads (20 speeches)
I move: That this House: (1) notes that: (a) funding is available in the 2018-19 federal budget for the Australian Government’s contribution to the construction of the Roe 8 and 9...
- Statements by Members (0 speeches)
- Child Care (1 speech)
Good afternoon. Colleagues, in 2016, I lobbied the government to ensure appropriate childcare services for rural, regional and remote families. I sought assurances they would not be adversely...
- Dunkley Electorate: Skybus Stadium (1 speech)
The story of the Frankston Dolphins football club in the VFL is a tale of the survival of the underdog. The club was in a financial disaster, yet it rose again to have its VFL licence reinstated...
- Restoring Territory Rights (Assisted Suicide Legislation) Bill (1 speech)
It was not until 1966 that federal representatives of Canberra were given full voting rights in this parliament—1966! Twenty three years later the first Legislative Assembly was elected and...
- Lyle, Mr Jarrod (1 speech)
Last week, Shepparton lost one of its great sporting heroes in professional golfer Jarrod Lyle, who passed way at the age of 36. Jarrod is survived by his wife, Briony, and two daughters, Lusi...
- Tasmania: WIN News (1 speech)
Like many Tasmanians, I was shocked last week to hear that WIN News will no longer broadcast live out of Tasmania. Indeed, our news bulletin is, apparently, to be broadcast out of Wollongong. We...
- Calare Electorate: Radio Station 2MG (1 speech)
Mudgee's own radio station, 2MG, has just passed an outstanding milestone. It has now been broadcasting to its listeners in the central west of New South Wales for 80 years. The Mudgee...
- Isaacs Electorate (1 speech)
As with many electorates in the state of Victoria, the great electorate of Isaacs is changing following the recent redrawing of electoral boundaries. I'm so pleased to welcome to the Isaacs...
- Swan Electorate: Every Butcher Needs a Farmer Initiative (1 speech)
Earlier I spoke about the great contribution made by volunteers across Australia, and I would like to share a fantastic voluntary initiative with my parliamentary colleagues in the hope that they...
- Cambodia (1 speech)
I condemn the election in Cambodia last month and say clearly that Hun Sen's victory is a sham. The main opposition party, the CNRP, were banned and the opposition leader, Kem Sokha, is still in...
- Mackellar Electorate: Your Voice in Parliament (1 speech)
Today I rise, in the short time available, with a speech submitted by my Your Voice in Parliament program where young people can submit a short speech on issues that matter to them. These are the...
- Royal Commission into Misconduct in the Banking, Superannuation and Financial Services Industry (1 speech)
The Turnbull government continues to demonstrate a blatant disrespect for our veterans, which absolutely astounds me. The Prime Minister has ignored calls from the RSL, the Royal Australian...
- Leichhardt Electorate: Far North Queensland Emergency Services Gala Charity Ball (1 speech)
It gives me great pleasure to rise this evening to speak about an important event that I attended in my electorate recently, the annual Far North Queensland Emergency Services Gala Charity Ball....
- Chifley Electorate: Health Services (1 speech)
Can you imagine, Deputy Speaker Wicks, with a tight family budget and your wages not growing, being told that you will have to pay up to $500 to get a life-saving scan, all because the Liberal...
- Boothby Electorate: Brighton Surf Lifesaving Club (1 speech)
On Saturday, 21 July I attended the Brighton Surf Lifesaving Club annual dinner, hosted by the very witty Ali Baird, with my state colleagues Corey Wingard, David Speirs, Holdfast Bay mayor...
- Great Barrier Reef Foundation (1 speech)
Today I'd like to talk about this government's diabolical gifting of close to half a billion dollars to the Great Barrier Reef Foundation for environmental projects on the reef. I ask you to...
- Moore Electorate: Joondalup Business Association (1 speech)
I wish to thank the Minister for Revenue and Financial Services and Minister for Women, the Hon. Kelly O'Dwyer, for visiting my electorate in July to address the networking meeting of the...
- Paterson Electorate: Drought (1 speech)
I rise today to thank my constituents in Paterson who continue to reach out to those who have been so horrendously impacted by the drought. I'm incredibly proud of the deluge of support for our...
- Cowper Electorate: Drought (1 speech)
I rise to commend the efforts of Josh and Shelly Ball at L-Bo Butchery in Kempsey for their huge effort on behalf of drought-affected farmers. The Macleay Hay Run, with wide support from the...
- Indonesia: Earthquake, India: Floods (1 speech)
On Sunday, 5 August, a powerful 6.9 magnitude earthquake struck the Indonesian island of Lombok. The earthquake has so far claimed at least 300 lives, with over a thousand people injured, and has...
- Hughes Electorate: Kareela (1 speech)
Kareela is one of the wonderful suburbs that I'm proud to represent here in parliament. I'd like to inform the House that this coming Saturday, 18 August, at 10 am at Kareela Village there will...
- Capital Region A-League Bid (1 speech)
If you know all the north Canberra Bels—Belnorth, Belsouth, Belwest, the Devils and the Foxes—if you know the Uniteds, Citys and FCs, the Medusas, the Gliders, the Pumas, Olympic, the...
- Petrie Electorate (1 speech)
The government believes in investing in the wellbeing of our nation's children through supporting stronger communities and families. In politics, ethics matter and values matter. Investing in our...
- Troy, Professor Patrick, AO (1 speech)
I rise today to speak on the legacy of Professor Patrick Troy AO, who, sadly, passed away on 24 July 2018 in Canberra. Patrick was a pre-eminent urban policymaker, engineer and academic. It is...
- Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (1 speech)
I want to speak briefly about the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme and why strong economic management matters. Since the election in 2013, there have been about 1,740 new or amended listings on the...
- Whitlam Electorate: Schools (1 speech)
Last Thursday the Deputy Leader of the Opposition and shadow minister for education and I met with teachers, parents, staff and students at St John's Catholic Parish Primary School in Dapto. This...
- Schools (1 speech)
One of the issues that we've been dealing with is the tendency of the opposition not to tell the truth when it comes to funding of schools and hospitals, and we've just heard it again in this...
- Million Star Executive Sleepout (1 speech)
On Friday night I slept under the stars at Glenworth Valley Outdoor Adventures as part of the Million Star Executive Sleepout, organised by Coast Shelter. The temperature got down to six degrees,...
- Energy (1 speech)
I rise today to inform the House that in Woolbrook, where I went to school, tonight it will be around minus three. On Sunday it will be minus six. In Armidale, on the weather report, they are...
- Australian Constitution (1 speech)
I'm holding a roundtable forum in my electorate of Moreton this Saturday, 18 August, at noon. I'm co-hosting this special event with the Queensland state government minister Leeanne Enoch and...
- Canning Shakespeare Competition (2 speeches)
On Saturday, 21 July 12 high school students participated in the finals of my third annual Canning Shakespeare Competition. These students competed on stage at the Mandurah Performing Arts...
- Bills (0 speeches)
- Private Members' Business (0 speeches)
- Employment (11 speeches)
I move: That this House: (1) notes that: (a) 1,000,000 jobs have been created since the election of the Government in 2013; and (b) the creation of jobs can only occur when the Government sets...
- Home Care Packages (6 speeches)
I thank the member for Mayo. Welcome back!
- Great Barrier Reef (3 speeches)
We are incredibly blessed in Australia to have such incredible natural beauty spread right across the country, from northern Western Australia to southern Western Australia, right around to...
- Universities Funding (8 speeches)
I'm very pleased to have the opportunity to participate in this debate on university funding. It is a very important debate that illuminates a fundamental contrast between the government's narrow...
