House debates
Monday, 20 August 2018
- Committees (0 speeches)
- Petitions Committee; Report (1 speech)
Today I present the 27th report of the Petitions Committee for the 45th Parliament, together with four petitions and 22 ministerial responses to petitions previously presented. The four petitions...
- Petitions (0 speeches)
- Responses (1 speech)
I present the following ministerial responses to petitions previously presented:
- Bills (0 speeches)
- Motions (0 speeches)
- Australian Indigenous Mentoring Experience (6 speeches)
I move: That this House: (1) acknowledges the power of mentoring and its impact in fighting inequality; (2) recognises the outstanding work of the AIME mentoring program; (3) notes that: (a)...
- Thailand: Cave Rescue (5 speeches)
I move: That this House: (1) notes with great relief that the young boys trapped in the caves in Thailand have all been rescued; (2) congratulates the: (a) Thai authorities on managing a...
- Committees (0 speeches)
- Bills (0 speeches)
- Committees (0 speeches)
- Public Works Committee; Report (1 speech)
On behalf of the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Public Works, I present the report Report 3/2018, Referrals made May 2018, of August 2018. Report made a parliamentary paper in accordance...
- Bills (0 speeches)
- Statements by Members (0 speeches)
- Bass Electorate: Basketball (1 speech)
The spirit of my electorate shone brightly this weekend as the Launceston Tornadoes battled it out on the national stage in the South East Australian Basketball League grand final at the State...
- Energy (1 speech)
There was a time when Australia had the cheapest power prices in the OECD. Then, over a period of years, with the gold-plating of poles and wires by the state governments, a move to renewables...
- Australian Hearing (1 speech)
Last week, the Turnbull government issued its response to the House of Representatives Standing Committee on Health, Aged Care and Sport report on its inquiry into the hearing health and...
- Berowra Electorate: Maroota Muster (1 speech)
Yesterday, I went to the Maroota Muster, the annual fundraiser for Maroota Public School. The event has raised a lot of money for Maroota over the years. It's a small but excellent school in my...
- Drought (1 speech)
I recently drove west from the Blue Mountains to Broken Hill and saw firsthand the toll the drought is taking on farmers and communities. You don't actually need to leave the Hawkesbury in my...
- Turnbull Government (1 speech)
It's easy to be distracted by some of the shenanigans here in the House, but, while those distractions occur, let us never lose focus on exactly what this government has achieved. Its achievement...
- AFL Women's (1 speech)
A few years ago, we all stood in this place and celebrated the creation of the AFLW, a women's league at the national level. Many teams started in those first two years and the competition in the...
- CinefestOZ (1 speech)
The south-west will resemble Hollywood from Wednesday, with CinefestOZ kicking off. Now in its 11th year, CinefestOZ has grown to become the biggest film festival in Australia. Award-winning...
- Centrelink (1 speech)
The current excess waiting times for age pension applications are unnecessary, cruel and, I believe, disrespectful. I know of many constituents waiting several months for their applications to be...
- Remembrance Day (1 speech)
Remembrance Day this year has a special significance, marking the centenary of the armistice which ended the First World War. Several Tangney organisations are marking the centenary in special...
- Victoria (1 speech)
I rise today to speak about the great state of Victoria and this government's interaction with our great state across the last five years. This government has starved Victoria of infrastructure...
- Battle of Long Tan: 52nd Anniversary, Vietnam Veterans Day (1 speech)
I rise in the House today to acknowledge the 52nd anniversary of the Battle of Long Tan and also to acknowledge the Vietnam Veterans Day, which was held on Saturday this past weekend. In doing so...
- Palmerston Regional Hospital (1 speech)
I would like to associate myself with the member for Menzies's acknowledgement of our Vietnam veterans. I turn my focus to Palmerston in my electorate of Solomon, where the wait is almost over...
- Energy (1 speech)
If the Queensland state government were to write down its network assets, or even half of them, it would have a material impact on electricity prices. But, when I raised the prospect last Friday,...
- Prime Minister, Cambodia: Opposition Leader (1 speech)
I'm wearing black today, in mourning for the Prime Minister. It's been 3,184 days since the Liberal Party last dumped him as leader, and I think he's going to get his wish soon—to not lead...
- Vinnies Corporate and Community Sleepout 2018 (3 speeches)
In what could be a first in the history of this building, three members from this place and the Senate will sleep rough in the Parliament House courtyard—
- Herbert Electorate: Townsville NAIDOC Dinner (1 speech)
On Friday night I attended the Townsville NAIDOC dinner, which was an exceptional cultural experience. The Wulgurukaba and Bindal traditional owners and custodians welcomed all of those who were...
- Vietnam Veterans Day (1 speech)
I rise today to pay tribute to Australia's Vietnam veterans. Every year on 18 August we commemorate Vietnam Veterans Day. This year I attended Vietnam Veterans Day in Berri at the recently...
- Turnbull Government (1 speech)
Right now there are 57 bushfires burning throughout New South Wales, from the north to the Victorian border. It's winter and the regular bushfire season has not even started. The New South Wales...
- Abraham, Lieutenant Richard John (2 speeches)
Lieutenant Richard John 'Rick' Abraham was born and raised in Whyalla. He attended Whyalla Memorial Oval Primary School and later Whyalla High. He apprenticed as and became a professional...
- Questions without Notice (0 speeches)
- Energy (4 speeches)
My question is to the Prime Minister. Can the Prime Minister confirm that he will not be legislating his own energy policy because he cannot command the support of his own government in this...
- Economy (5 speeches)
My question is to the Prime Minister. Will the Prime Minister update the House on the actions the government is taking to reduce cost-of-living pressures on households, including lower taxes and...
- Energy (10 speeches)
My question is to the Prime Minister. When will the Prime Minister provide Labor with a copy of the legislation for today's version of his energy policy? Will the Prime Minister work with Labor...
- Distinguished Visitors (0 speeches)
- (1 speech)
I inform the House that joining us in the gallery this afternoon is a parliamentary delegation of members of the budget and financial affairs committee of the National Assembly of Vietnam. On...
- Questions without Notice (0 speeches)
- Energy (2 speeches)
My question is to the Prime Minister. Is legislating the government's energy policy an issue central to government policy? Is it of vital importance?
- Pensions and Benefits (6 speeches)
My question is to the Minister for Social Services. This morning, I introduced a bill to establish a social security commission to independently recommend adequate levels of social security...
- Energy (2 speeches)
My question is to the Deputy Prime Minister and the Minister for Infrastructure and Transport. Will the Deputy Prime Minister update the House on how putting downward pressure on power bills and...
- Turnbull Government (2 speeches)
My question is to the Prime Minister. The Prime Minister has passionately advocated for three things in his public life: the republic, climate change and his big business tax cuts. Given the...
- Energy (9 speeches)
My question is to the Minister for the Environment and Energy. Will the minister update the House on how the government is focusing on lower power bills for households and businesses across...
- Economy (4 speeches)
My question is to the Minister for Foreign Affairs. Will the minister update the House on what the government is doing to keep Australia's economy internationally competitive and prosperous? What...
- Distinguished Visitors (0 speeches)
- (1 speech)
I'd just like to inform the House we've just had join us on the floor this afternoon a parliamentary delegation of members of the New Zealand Social Services and Community Committee. On behalf of...
- Questions without Notice (0 speeches)
- Turnbull Government (3 speeches)
My question is to the current Prime Minister. Can the Prime Minister confirm that he's had five different signature energy policies, including two just today; he's planning on dumping his...
- Defence Industry (2 speeches)
My question is to the Minister for Defence Industry. Will the minister update the House on the success of the government's defence export strategy? How is that strategy assisting Australian...
- Energy (2 speeches)
My question is to the Prime Minister: The Prime Minister has said today that he won't be introducing legislation on his energy policy until he's confident it can pass the House. Does that...
- National Security (5 speeches)
My question is to the Minister for Home Affairs. Will the minister update the House on the benefits of Australia's strong—
- Energy (2 speeches)
My question is to the Prime Minister. Will the Prime Minister today release the legislation that he referred to in his last answer?
- Economy (2 speeches)
My question is to the Minister for Small and Family Business, the Workplace and Deregulation. Will the minister update the House on how the government's economic policies are benefiting small and...
- Energy (2 speeches)
My question is to the Prime Minister. I refer to the Prime Minister's last answer. Is the Prime Minister's position that the parliament will only be allowed to see the legislation if we agree to...
- Drought (2 speeches)
My question is to the Minister for Agriculture and Water Resources. Will the minister update the House on how the government's drought assistance measures are supporting primary producers and...
- Energy (2 speeches)
My question is to the Prime Minister. I refer to the Prime Minister's previous answer. If the condition for any legislation being introduced is that no member of the coalition will cross the...
- Drought (2 speeches)
My question is to the Minister for Regional Development, Territories and Local Government. Will the minister update the House on how the government are building on our strong track record of...
- Energy (2 speeches)
My question's to the Prime Minister. Given his last answer, can the Prime Minister confirm that he is unwilling to talk to Labor about energy price legislation until he has the consent of the...
- Drought (2 speeches)
My question is to the Minister for Human Services. Will the minister update the House on how the government is supporting farmers in drought-affected Australia by guaranteeing essential services...
- Turnbull Government (2 speeches)
My question is to the Prime Minister. I refer to the Prime Minister's answer in which he said that his government would not introduce legislation unless it could be carried on its own numbers....
- Trade (2 speeches)
My question is to the Minister for Trade, Tourism and Investment. Can the minister update the House on how the government is supporting our farmers, especially by creating new opportunities in...
- Turnbull Government (2 speeches)
My question is to the Prime Minister. Given that the Prime Minister has previously advised the parliament that no legislation to lower energy prices will proceed to the parliament unless all 76...
- Battle of Long Tan: 52nd Anniversary (5 speeches)
My question is to the Minister for Veterans' Affairs. Will the minister update the House on the government's response to yesterday's commemoration of the Battle of Long Tan?
- Documents (0 speeches)
- Presentation (1 speech)
Documents are tabled in accordance with the list circulated to honourable members earlier today. Full details of the documents will be recorded in the Votes and Proceedings.
- Personal Explanations (0 speeches)
- (5 speeches)
Mr Speaker, I wish to make a personal explanation.
- Committees (0 speeches)
- Ministerial Statements (0 speeches)
- Questions without Notice: Additional Answers (0 speeches)
- Drought (1 speech)
Mr Deputy Speaker Andrews, I seek your indulgence to correct an answer given during question time. Leave granted. When answering a question about the extensive work under the Drought Communities...
- Bills (0 speeches)
- Committees (0 speeches)
- Bills (0 speeches)
- Adjournment (0 speeches)
- Higher Education (1 speech)
Last December, the Turnbull government wiped more than $2 billion of funding from Australia's universities. It was the Christmas present that nobody wanted and nobody asked for and it's forced...
- Dooley, Ms Jan (1 speech)
Vale Jan Dooley, nee Evans—unofficial Irish ambassador and matriarch of the Irish community in Queensland. Jan passed peacefully on 27 June 2018, surrounded by her family. Jan Dooley,...
- Education (1 speech)
I quote: Schooling should be socially just, so that students’ outcomes from schooling are free from the effects of ... differences arising from students’ socio-economic background or...
- Barker Electorate: Mount Gambier Airport (1 speech)
In this place we should always be focused on cost-of-living pressures. What I want to do tonight is update the House on how I was able to take a $3.5 million investment by the federal government...
- Coniston Massacre (1 speech)
This Friday, on 24 August, there will be a commemorative ceremony at Yurrkuru, Brookes Soak, about 60 kilometres east of Yuendumu in the Northern Territory. The purpose of this commemoration is...
- Energy (1 speech)
I rise to speak on electricity. It's one of those issues that's been taking up quite a bit of time in this place in recent days. I think I have something to give to the debate insomuch as I've...
- Constituency Statements (0 speeches)
- Whitlam Electorate: Centrelink (1 speech)
The Turnbull government's management of Centrelink is an absolute debacle. There have been staff cuts, wait times are up and processing of claims are being delayed. Last year, the Turnbull...
- Page Electorate: Constituents (1 speech)
Sue Wardrobe is retiring as the postmistress of Wardell. She first came to the area in 1982 to run the BP service station with her husband, John, her parents, Cyril and Edna O'Connor, and two...
- Chifley Electorate: Chifley College, Stem in Schools (1 speech)
I want to extend to the member for Page: all the best to the gorillas in the sweat mist. It's a very good thing that they're doing there. It was recently National Science Week. It is a really...
- Drought (1 speech)
Today I want to talk about drought. We all know that virtually all parts of New South Wales are struggling with the drought and 60 per cent of Queensland is also in drought. Thank goodness that...
- Turnbull Government (1 speech)
In his 2013 budget reply speech, the then Leader of the Opposition, the member for Warringah, Tony Abbott, said that, if the coalition was to win the election, 'there will be no nasty surprises...
- Balnaves, Mrs Annette (1 speech)
Like so many in the Limestone Coast community, I was deeply saddened to hear of the passing of a highly respected and loved member of that community, Annette Balnaves. Anyone who had the pleasure...
- Minister for Home Affairs (1 speech)
I'm wearing black in mourning for the Prime Minister, because it's been 3,184 days since the Liberal Party last dumped him as leader but I think he's about to get his wish to not lead a party...
- Robertson Electorate: Telecommunications (1 speech)
Delivering continuous mobile coverage along the 60-kilometre stretch of track between Wyong and Hornsby, as well as free wi-fi at train stations, is a game changer for hardworking commuters in my...
- Fowler Electorate: Australian Vietnamese Aged Care Service (1 speech)
On 10 June, I had the privilege of attending the official opening of the very first Vietnamese aged-care facility in New South Wales. What started as an ambitious dream by some very caring...
- Ryan Electorate: 7th Brigade (2 speeches)
As many here know, the Ryan electorate is home to Gallipoli Barracks at Enoggera and 7th Brigade. This garrison is certainly a well-oiled war machine, and I appreciate the strong relationship I...
- Private Members' Business (0 speeches)
- Rohingya People (8 speeches)
I move: That this House: (1) notes: (a) that Saturday, 25 August 2018 marks one year since close to 700,000 Rohingya—mostly women and children—were forced to begin fleeing their homes...
- Tuberculosis (6 speeches)
I move: That this House: (1) notes that: (a) tuberculosis was declared an emergency in 1993 by the World Health Organization and causes more deaths than any other infectious disease—of the...
- Bills (0 speeches)
- Private Members' Business (0 speeches)
- Income Tax (16 speeches)
I move: That this House: (1) notes that the Parliament recently passed the Government's Personal Income Tax Plan; (2) further notes that: (a) this legislation gives everyone who works a cut in...
- Statements by Members (0 speeches)
- Melbourne Electorate: Multiculturalism (3 speeches)
A few weeks ago, I was around the corner from my place at the Flemington community centre where Somali Independence Day, organised by the Somali community in Victoria, was being celebrated. The...
- Visas (1 speech)
I love hearing about fairy floss being made at community festivals—not sure what it does for the nation's GDP—but I want to make sure that the following Monday they have a reasonable...
- Watson Electorate: Eid al-Adha (1 speech)
Overnight, Muslim communities in Australia and around the world will be celebrating Eid al-Adha. Eid is a celebration that brings together all the Abrahamic faiths. The story of the Koran, the...
- Capricornia Electorate: National Rowing Team (1 speech)
The world of elite sport is something many in the regions rarely get to see up close but is one that can serve as such an inspiration for our kids, regardless of where they grow up. That's why it...
- Live Animal Exports (2 speeches)
I rise today to express the increasing frustration of many of my constituents at the government's lack of real action on live sheep exports. We saw a few months ago some horrific footage of the...
- New South Wales State Emergency Service: Hornsby Unit (1 speech)
On Saturday I had the great privilege of being invited to the 60th anniversary celebrations of the Hornsby unit of the State Emergency Service. I would like to take this opportunity to reflect on...
- Calwell Electorate: Craigieburn War Memorial (1 speech)
I rise today to congratulate Kevin O'Callaghan, the president of the Craigieburn War Memorial and Remembrance Committee Incorporated, for all of his and his committee's hard work in the recent...
- Tyrrell, Mr Bill (1 speech)
Bill Tyrrell of Goonellabah is a very special person. For the last 41 years Bill has worked at the Lismore Base Hospital as a specialist nurse in stomal therapy and continence...
- Central Coast Mariners (1 speech)
A lightning bolt has been carved into the pitch at Central Coast Stadium to mark Olympic legend Usain Bolt, the world's fastest man, trialling for the Central Coast Mariners. The eight-time...
- Tangney Electorate: Indian Society of Western Australia (1 speech)
In our parliament today I would like to congratulate the Indian Society of Western Australia for serving our Indian communities in Tangney and across Western Australia for more than 50 years. For...
- Oxley Electorate: Environment (1 speech)
I recently had the pleasure of working in partnership with the Australian Conservation Foundation to hold a threatened species evening. We were joined by Dr Martin Taylor, protected areas and...
- Wide Bay Electorate: Community Pharmacies (1 speech)
When you think of a business that you can trust and rely on in your community, it's hard to think of one more trusted than your local community pharmacy. Local pharmacies are an essential small...
- Diabetes (1 speech)
This Thursday I'm looking forward to catching up with Marayong local Teagan Hodges and her mum in Parliament House. Teagan was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes when she was just 11. She has been...
- Vietnam Veterans Day (1 speech)
Last Saturday, I attended a very moving memorial service at Cotton Tree for Vietnam Veterans Day. I was proud to join the Sunshine Coast community to commemorate the service of those special men...
- Kelly, Hon. Lawrence 'Laurie' Borthwick, AM, Cobbin, Mr Allan William (1 speech)
I want to acknowledge two very valued members of my community and our local Labor Party in the Illawarra who passed away during the period of the break. The first was the Hon. Laurie Kelly....
- Queensland Seniors Week (1 speech)
This week, 18 to 26 August, we celebrate Seniors Week. The Central Highlands Regional Council will host a Seniors Week event at Blackwater in Central Queensland on Tuesday, 21 August. At the...
- Wills Electorate: Public Parkland (1 speech)
Last week, I received the excellent news that the Victorian state government had agreed to the sale of a parcel of land in McBryde Street in Fawkner, alongside Merri Creek, in my electorate of...
- Robe to Recovery (2 speeches)
I rise to inform the House of a great initiative being run in the community of Robe, a coastal town in the south-east of South Australia, in my electorate of Barker. Robe to Recovery, as it's...
- Centrelink (1 speech)
I want to share a story which demonstrates the truly petty and mean nature of this government. A constituent, who I will call Mr J, rang me last week. He explained that when he lost his mother...
- Grey Electorate: Clontarf Foundation (1 speech)
I welcome the announcement by the South Australian Premier, Steven Marshall, that South Australia is to establish four Clontarf academies in the state—three in my electorate. I became...
- Scullin Electorate: STEM in Schools (1 speech)
On 10 August I had the great pleasure of visiting Thomastown Secondary College, a school that's very dear to me, to celebrate their involvement in the CSIRO STEM in Schools week. I thank the...
- Gilmore Electorate: Bushfires (1 speech)
We're often reminded that all of life is a series of checks and balances. There are great times countered with the not so great. There are times of inspiration and joy that can be countered by...
- Asylum Seekers (1 speech)
I was going to call on the Prime Minister to intervene with the Minister for Home Affairs, to get him to show a little bit of humanity, but the irony of that, of course, is that the Minister for...
- Coomera Anglican College (1 speech)
I'd like to take this opportunity to commend Coomera Anglican College on the official opening of their new future-focused resource centre. Dubbed 'The Pod', this new centre is designed to take...
- Aged Care (1 speech)
Every single budget delivered by the LNP governments has included cuts to aged care. The Turnbull government are trying to say that they are funding 14,000 places for in-home community aged care...
- Brown, Senior Sergeant Tony (1 speech)
Today I want to speak about a remarkable figure in the bayside community. Senior Sergeant Tony Brown recently marked 30 years as a police officer. It's a rare feat in his line of work. Tony has...
- Exercise Pitch Black (1 speech)
Exercise Pitch Black is a biennial three-week multinational, large-force employment exercise conducted from RAAF Base Darwin and RAAF Base Tindal. It was conducted from 27 July—it finished...
- Drought (1 speech)
Australia and my home state of Queensland are suffering the ravaging impacts of drought, which we know all too well. It's a terrible but recurring feature in Australia. We are indeed a land of...
- Moreton Electorate: Banks (2 speeches)
Sadly, Sherwood, a leafy suburban in my electorate, will no longer have a local bank branch for any of the big four banks within a few weeks. Sherwood has many older residents who have been doing...
- Private Members' Business (0 speeches)
- Privatising the ABC (9 speeches)
I move: That this House: (1) notes that: (a) in the 2013 federal election, the then Leader of the Opposition, the Hon. Tony Abbott MP, promised no funding cuts to the ABC; (b) since 2014 the...
- Australian Securities and Investment Commission (8 speeches)
I move: That this House notes: (1) notes the appointment of the new Deputy Chair of ASIC, Mr Daniel Crennan QC; (2) further notes that the Government invested in ASIC to give it the tools it...
- Home Care Packages Program (5 speeches)
I rise today to speak on the private member's motion moved by the member for Bass, which relates to the long waiting times our elderly Australians have to endure before they can access the Home...
- Bills (0 speeches)
