House debates
Monday, 30 November 2020
- Documents (0 speeches)
- Committees (0 speeches)
- Petitions (0 speeches)
- Responses (1 speech)
I present the following ministerial responses to petitions previously presented:
- Statements (1 speech)
You will have noted that there has been some increased interest in petitioning of late. This interest has also seen an increase in civic engagement in petitioning, which the committee warmly...
- Bills (0 speeches)
- Motions (0 speeches)
- World AIDS Day (10 speeches)
I move: (1) notes that: (a) Tuesday, 1 December 2020 is World AIDS Day, an annual day to acknowledge those we have lost to AIDS related conditions and those who are living with HIV;...
- Services Australia (11 speeches)
I move: That this House: (1) acknowledges that during the earliest onset of the coronavirus pandemic, many Australian families found themselves unexpectedly in need of government support; and (2)...
- Bills (0 speeches)
- Committees (0 speeches)
- Meeting (2 speeches)
I have received advice from the Chief Government Whip nominating members to be members of certain committees.
- Bills (0 speeches)
- Committees (0 speeches)
- Human Rights Committee; Report (1 speech)
On behalf of the Parliamentary Joint Committee on Human Rights I present the following reports: the Human rights scrutiny report: report 13 of 2020, incorporating a dissenting report, and the...
- Migration Joint Committee; Report (2 speeches)
On behalf of the Joint Standing Committee on Migration I present the committee report, incorporating dissenting reports, entitled Final report of the inquiry into Working Holiday Maker program....
- Migration Joint Committee; Reference to Federation Chamber (1 speech)
by leave—I move: That the order of the day be referred to the Federation Chamber for debate. Question agreed to.
- Motions (0 speeches)
- McBride, Mr David William (7 speeches)
I seek leave to move the following motion: That the House: (1) notes that: (a) on 19 November 2020 the Australian Defence Force's Afghanistan Inquiry Report was released, revealing shocking...
- Statement by the Speaker (0 speeches)
- COVID-19: House of Representatives Procedure (1 speech)
While members are here, I have a short statement on some procedures in the House for this next fortnight. If members are able to stay that would be appreciated. As we begin this last fortnight,...
- Bills (0 speeches)
- Statements by Members (0 speeches)
- Greenway Electorate: Sikh Community (1 speech)
Waheguru Ji Ka Khalsa, Waheguru Ji Ki Fateh. I rise today to extend my heartfelt congratulations and best wishes to Greenway's Sikh community and indeed Sikhs everywhere on the 551st anniversary...
- Bennelong Electorate: Schools (1 speech)
As we enter December, we can all breathe a sigh of relief that, for what it's worth, the chaotic and eternal year that was 2020 is finally coming to a close. Talk has gone from lockdowns to...
- Tasmania: Berry Industry (1 speech)
Earlier this month, I had the opportunity to visit the Costa berry farm at Dunorlan, just outside Deloraine in the north-west of my electorate. I would like to thank the regional manager, Cameron...
- Greiner, Mrs Rita (1 speech)
On 1 November, one of my constituents, Mrs Rita Greiner of Arcare Malvern East, celebrated her 100th birthday. As part of the celebrations, her family shared some of Rita's stories of her life of...
- Cybersecurity (1 speech)
It takes an ecosystem to build a cyber-resilient nation. Our national security agencies alone aren't enough to defend Australia from cyberattacks. A healthy ecosystem relies on cross-pollination...
- Australian Bushfires (1 speech)
In my electorate of Menzies, especially the areas of Warrandyte and Wonga Park, Park Orchards, Eltham and Kangaroo Ground, the risk of fire is real, and that's why it's important that people have...
- McKern, Mr Gordon, OAM (1 speech)
I rise to acknowledge the passing of Gordon McKern OAM. Gordon was a giant, in Bendigo, a successful business and community leader. He was described in this place as a living treasure, and that...
- Delphin, Ms Denise OAM (1 speech)
I call the member for Bass. Today I'm thrilled to speak on a wonderful community leader who has aptly been described as the heart and soul of the northern suburbs community. Denise Delphin OAM,...
- Climate Change (1 speech)
Let's be clear: a pandemic shutdown is not an emissions reduction plan. I certainly welcome that emissions are down, but let's get real. The heavy lifting is being done by the private sector and...
- Moncrieff Electorate (1 speech)
The strength of our local schools and community groups is vital for the welfare and success of Australians of all ages and circumstances. For Moncrieff, I'd like to highlight some of the groups...
- St Mark's Catholic Primary School, Oxley Electorate: Education (1 speech)
I was recently privileged to visit St Mark's Catholic Primary School at Inala and speak about government to a fantastic grade 6 cohort. Bright and as excited as always, students at St Mark's had...
- Arrigo, Mr Antonio, OAM (1 speech)
One of Bunyip's gems is Tony Arrigo, who was awarded the Order of Australia this year for exceptional service to the Bunyip community. Tony arrived in Australia from Italy in 1962 and has always...
- Telecommunications (1 speech)
The vulnerability of my community to power failure and lack of communications was highlighted yet again this weekend. As the first bushfire of the season in the Blue Mountains at Faulconbridge...
- Keswick Island (1 speech)
Thirty kilometres off the coast of Mackay, there's an island which could offer a lifestyle that many people dream about, but the dream has turned into a nightmare for the 40 or so residents who...
- Ethiopia (1 speech)
My thoughts today are with Australia's Ethiopian community. A full-scale humanitarian crisis has been unfolding in the Tigray region of Ethiopia, where I believe 50 Australian citizens are...
- Perth: Korean War Memorial (1 speech)
This month I attended a fundraising dinner in support of the establishment of a Korean war memorial in Perth. The fact that there is not yet a Korean war memorial in Perth is a good example of...
- Petition: Age Pension (1 speech)
I present this certified petition at the request of an organisation based in my electorate, the Australian Pensioners & Superannuants League of Queensland. This group, based in West End, has...
- Bridging the Gap Community Services (1 speech)
I recently visited Coffs Harbour's Men's Resource Centre, run by Bridging the Gap Community Services, which is operated entirely by volunteers and community donations. The centre helps local men...
- Ramsey, Mr Alan Graham (1 speech)
The death last week of Alan Ramsey has deprived Australia of a man who was part journalist, part force of nature. For those with an interest in politics, opening your Sydney Morning Herald on a...
- Murray-Darling Basin (2 speeches)
The Murray-Darling Basin continues to create anxiety and angst across the northern Victorian and southern New South Wales regions. Whilst we have made some progress over recent months—we...
- Condolences (0 speeches)
- Ministerial Arrangements (0 speeches)
- (1 speech)
On behalf of the Prime Minister, I inform the House that the Minister for Immigration, Citizenship, Migrant Services and Multicultural Affairs will be absent from question time today and for the...
- Statements on Indulgence (0 speeches)
- Australian Defence Force (1 speech)
I join with the Prime Minister in his condemnation of the tweet directed at the men and women of the Australian Defence Force that was published earlier today. It is gratuitous, inflammatory and...
- Questions without Notice (0 speeches)
- Australian Bushfires (2 speeches)
My question is to the Minister for Agriculture, Drought and Emergency Management. With reference to last summer's bushfires, the dozens of fires burning across the country right now and the...
- COVID-19: Economy (3 speeches)
My question is to the Prime Minister. Will the Prime Minister outline to the House how the Morrison government is working with our regional allies and partners to create a stronger, more...
- Royal Commission into National Natural Disaster Arrangements (5 speeches)
My question is for the Minister for Agriculture, Drought and Emergency Management. Why has the Prime Minister rejected the recommendation of the bushfires royal commission that a sovereign aerial...
- COVID 19: Economy (2 speeches)
[by video link] I thank you, Mr Speaker, for your understanding. I understand we've now got that sorted. I also thank the House for their support and cooperation in enabling me to join you in...
- COVID-19: Regional Australia (2 speeches)
My question is to the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Infrastructure, Transport and Regional Development. Will the Deputy Prime Minister please inform the House how the Morrison-McCormack...
- Pensions and Benefits (23 speeches)
My question is to the Minister for Government Services and it relates to his government's $1.2 billion settlement with robodebt victims. Can the minister tell the House: who was the Minister for...
- Inland Rail (8 speeches)
My question is to the Deputy Prime Minister. The Inland Rail will run through Wangaratta, Glenrowan, Benalla and Euroa, with substantial impacts on these towns. This could be a once-in-a-lifetime...
- JobKeeper Payment (2 speeches)
My question is to the Treasurer. Treasurer, will you update the House on how the latest JobKeeper numbers and other key data showing Australia's economic comeback from the global recession is...
- Pensions and Benefits (2 speeches)
My question is to the Minister for Government Services. Minister, how many reports did the government receive of victims of the illegal robodebt scheme threatening self-harm between January 2017...
- COVID-19: Trade (2 speeches)
My question is to the Minister representing the Minister for Trade, Tourism and Investment. Will the minister outline to the House how the Morrison government's approach to streamlining our...
- Pensions and Benefits (2 speeches)
My question is to the Minister for Government Services. Can the minister confirm that the government received 14 official reports of robodebt victims threatening self-harm on the following dates:...
- Covid-19 (2 speeches)
My question is to the Minister for Health. Will the minister outline to the House how the Morrison government's health response to COVID-19, in particular in relation to testing, is helping to...
- Madgwick, Mr Jarrad, Pensions and Benefits (2 speeches)
My question is to the Minister for Government Services. I refer to the tragic death of 22-year-old Jarrad Madgwick, who took his own life following a dispute with Centrelink over a robodebt. I...
- COVID-19: Economy (4 speeches)
My question is to the Minister representing the Minister for Employment, Skills, Small and Family Business. Will the minister please update the House on how the Morrison government's measures to...
- Pensions and Benefits (2 speeches)
My question is to the Minister for Government Services. Has the minister asked his department for a report on how many Australians have taken their own life as a result of the government's...
- HomeBuilder (6 speeches)
My question is to the Assistant Treasurer and Minister for Housing. Will the minister please update the House on how the Morrison government's HomeBuilder grant is helping Australians build a...
- Motions (0 speeches)
- Pensions and Benefits (12 speeches)
I move: That so much of the standing orders be suspended as would prevent the Leader of the Opposition from moving the following motion immediately—That the House: (1) notes that:...
- Questions without Notice (0 speeches)
- Australian Natural Disasters (3 speeches)
My question is to the Minister for Agriculture, Drought and Emergency Management. Will the minister please outline to the House the considerable steps the Morrison-McCormack government has taken...
- 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.
- 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...
- Auditor-General's Reports (0 speeches)
- Reports Nos 15 to 19 of 2020-21 (1 speech)
I present the Auditor-General's Audit reports Nos 15 to 19 for 2020-21. Details of the reports will be recorded in the Votes and Proceedings. Documents made parliamentary papers in accordance...
- Bills (0 speeches)
- Adjournment (0 speeches)
- Victorian Government (1 speech)
The Victorian government has delivered its budget, and it is an absolute cracker! Premier Daniel Andrews has invested in Victoria because the Prime Minister would not. Victoria's Treasurer is...
- Federal Election (1 speech)
Today I am wearing my grandmother's callisthenics medal, as I often do because it reminds me of her and of my links to my local community, which began 100 years ago this year. My grandmother was...
- Tasmania: Employment (1 speech)
The latest Australian Bureau of Statistics data on the labour force in Tasmania was incredibly concerning. Tasmania now has the highest unemployment rate in the country, at 8.2 per cent. More...
- Energy (1 speech)
We all want to make Australia make again. We want manufacturing back. One thing that COVID has identified is that we as a nation are vulnerable because we've lost our industrial base and our...
- COVID-19: Income Support Payments (1 speech)
Everyone agrees that we are managing the health impacts of the COVID-19 crisis well in Australia. However, it's a far different story when it comes to the economic recession we are in. If one...
- Curtin Electorate: Australian Defence Force (1 speech)
Over 1,000 veterans live in my electorate of Curtin. As the home of the SAS regiment at the Campbell Barracks in Swanbourne, we also have hundreds of current serving men and women and their...
- Constituency Statements (0 speeches)
- Franklin Electorate: Tasmanian Australian of the Year Awards (1 speech)
Today I want to talk about four outstanding citizens of my great electorate of Franklin. These four citizens are Tasmanian Australian of the Year Award winners, who will go to the national final...
- Ryan Electorate: Young Community Leader Award (1 speech)
I rise to speak about some incredible young achievers in the electorate of Ryan. Each year I run the Young Leadership Award, where local schools put forward students who have gone above and...
- Greenway Electorate: Blacktown Hospital (1 speech)
Today I raise some of the shocking conditions facing staff and patients at the only public hospital in the Greater Blacktown area, Blacktown Hospital. Like many locals, I was born in Blacktown...
- Curtin Electorate: Cambridge Coastcare (1 speech)
There's close to 15 kilometres of beautiful beach land marking the western boundary of my electorate of Curtin. From the flag poles at Scarborough Beach to just south of the Cottesloe Groin, you...
- Moreton Electorate: Milpera State High School (1 speech)
There are 50 schools in Moreton, but one in particular always brings a smile to my face when I visit and that school is Milpera. Milpera has a special place not only in Moreton but in the greater...
- Guide Dogs Queensland, Kramaric, Ms Jenny (1 speech)
We get to meet extraordinary some people in our roles as federal members of parliament, but some people leave you profoundly affected and inspired to achieve more. I'd like to share a story of...
- Gilmore Electorate: Bushfires (1 speech)
Thursday 26 November marked exactly one year since the Currowan bushfire was ignited. This bushfire would go on to devastate my electorate on the New South Wales South Coast, burning for 74 days....
- Berowra Electorate: St John Ambulance (1 speech)
I was pleased to present awards to the St John Ambulance Hornsby Division and Hornsby cadet division, recipients of the Long Service Medal who've committed their lives to serving with St John...
- Kingston Electorate: Public Housing (1 speech)
I've recently been spending time visiting those living in public housing in my electorate and I am dismayed that many in my electorate are living in conditions that wouldn't be acceptable in the...
- Financial Services Industry: Red Tape (2 speeches)
Warren Buffett, also known as the 'Oracle of Omaha', the CEO of Berkshire Hathaway, is considered to be one of the world's most successful investors, with over 70 years of industry experience....
- Private Members' Business (0 speeches)
- Australian National Audit Office (7 speeches)
I move: That this House: (1) notes: (a) the importance of the Auditor-General, who is responsible for auditing Commonwealth entities and reporting to the Parliament, providing crucial...
- COVID-19: Vaccines (10 speeches)
I move: That this House: (1) notes: (a) the developments worldwide on vaccines for COVID-19; (b) that the Government has announced a $1billion agreement for two of the most promising COVID-19...
- National Water Safety Day (10 speeches)
I move: That this House: (1) notes: (a) that 1 December 2020 is National Water Safety Day where we highlight the importance of staying safe and acting responsibly around water; (b) that from 1...
- NAIDOC Week (8 speeches)
I move: That this House: (1) notes: (a) the importance of the Auditor-General, who is responsible for auditing Commonwealth entities and reporting to the Parliament, providing crucial...
- Asylum Seekers (6 speeches)
I move: That this House: (1) notes that: (a) it has been seven years since New Zealand offered hope to those refugees in Papua New Guinea and Nauru to resettle them in New Zealand; and (b) more...
- Statements by Members (0 speeches)
- Workplace Relations (1 speech)
When I hear that this Liberal government want to reform Australia's workplace laws, alarm bells start ringing because this is a government that has shown us time and time again that they are more...
- New South Wales Young Liberal Movement (1 speech)
On the weekend I had the great pleasure of attending an important milestone in the history of the New South Wales Liberal Party, the 75th Anniversary of the New South Wales Young Liberal...
- Kingsford Smith Electorate: Courage to Care (1 speech)
Last week I was privileged to visit B'nai B'rith in Kensington in my electorate and met with some of their fantastic volunteers to hear about their Courage for Care program. Courage for Care is...
- Longman Electorate: Rural Fire Service (1 speech)
Today I want to give a shout-out to the amazing work of the Rural Fire Service volunteers, particularly those in my electorate of Longman. I recently attended the 30th anniversary celebration and...
- La Trobe University: Modern Greek Language Program (1 speech)
I wish to raise a matter of importance to Greek Australians in Victoria and Greek Australians in my electorate. The Greek diaspora contribution to Australia is long and proud. From the time of...
- Chinese Communist Party (1 speech)
I know Australians would be disgusted at the gutter Tweet from the Chinese Communist Party today targeting the Australian defence forces. The fake image misrepresents a soldier murdering a child....
- Moore-Gilbert, Dr Kylie (1 speech)
Last Saturday I joined with locals outside St Paul's Cathedral in Melbourne to mark what was then 800 days that Kylie Moore-Gilbert had been held in Iran. Outside St Paul's Cathedral in Melbourne...
- Esperance Royal Flying Doctor Service Firewood Cutters (1 speech)
Esperance is a tight-knit coastal town, and its sense of community and service is second to none. Given its isolation, the Royal Flying Doctor Service is greatly appreciated by the Esperance...
- Oxley Electorate: Community Sporting Organisations (1 speech)
Yesterday was the completion of a month-long T20 cricket tournament. I was invited by local community leader Satya Yelisetti to join the Springfield Lions Cricket Club. It was the club's first...
- Terrigal Rugby Union Club (1 speech)
Upgrades to the Terrigal Trojans clubhouse have now been completed. The project was partly funded by a $275,000 grant through the National Stronger Regions Fund, and the clubhouse was refurbished...
- Climate Change (1 speech)
According to the energy minister, the Morrison government has 'strong targets, clear plans and an enviable track record' on reducing emissions. Some might take that at face value, but, coming...
- Mallee Electorate: Horticulture Workforce (1 speech)
The closure of Australia's international border has amplified pre-existing workforce challenges in the horticultural industry in my electorate of Mallee. The industry faces a shortfall of...
- Moreton Electorate: Queen's Scout Award (1 speech)
Yesterday afternoon, I had the pleasure of attending a ceremony hosted by Moorooka's Clifton Hill Scout Group, alongside Minister Mark Bailey. It was a warm afternoon, but the local scouting...
- Fisher Electorate: Migration (1 speech)
I'm pleased to say that on the Sunshine Coast we're welcoming a growing vibrant and successful community of new migrants. Today we are seeing new residents from an ever broader and more diverse...
- Loneliness (1 speech)
I've often spoken about my concern about loneliness, which is a crisis that affects too many Australians. It's been a particularly acute crisis throughout the pandemic. Before we'd even heard of...
- Bonner Electorate: Local Legends (1 speech)
Last week I was pleased to host a special BBQ to congratulate Bonner's Local Legends: the people in our community who were nominated for their selfless acts of kindness during a difficult 2020....
- Dolejsi, Ms Amanda (1 speech)
Throughout this year we've repeatedly heard the term 'essential workers'. Today I would like to add my congratulations to a Bean constituent who's firmly in that category, communicating...
- Braddon Electorate: Montello Primary School (1 speech)
On Friday, I visited Montello Primary School. Miss Howard and Mr Langford's grade 5 classes are studying government and democracy. They're also starting to think about what jobs they might look...
- Parramatta Electorate: Domestic and Family Violence (1 speech)
Last Wednesday a purple bench appeared on the verandah outside the Harris Park Community Centre. It's part of the purple bench project, which is part of an international project, 16 Days of...
- Herbert Electorate: Mental Health (1 speech)
Last Saturday I had the privilege of being invited to Calvary Christian Church's Movember men's breakfast. It was fantastic to see men's mental health issues front and centre on the agenda. This...
- COVID-19: Northern Territory (1 speech)
I'm very proud that the Northern Territory is now open to everyone. All Australians can come to the NT without the need to quarantine. I'm so proud of the role that Darwin has played this year in...
- COVID-19: South Australia (1 speech)
It's been a big two weeks in my home state of South Australia since we last met here in Canberra. About 10 or 11 days ago we had some concerning developments regarding a coronavirus outbreak in...
- Bede Polding College: Food Drive (1 speech)
Year 7 students at Bede Polding College in South Windsor have overcome one of the most challenging years in their school careers, and they're helping others in need. Their first year at high...
- Ryan Electorate: Local Business (1 speech)
Over the weekend I attended The Gap community Christmas fair. It was fantastic to see local residents out supporting local small businesses and community organisations. Everything for sale was...
- Corangamite Electorate: Roads (1 speech)
I stand today to call on the City of Greater Geelong and its councillors to listen to residents of Curlewis, who are expressing grave safety concerns about a recently built local road, Tivoli...
- Moore-Gilbert, Dr Kylie (1 speech)
Members would be aware that Dr Kylie Moore-Gilbert, who had been imprisoned in Iran now for over for 800 days, was released from custody in Iran last weekend and returned to Australia. I want to...
- Asylum Seekers (1 speech)
It's 25 days to Christmas. It's been a very difficult year. People around Australia will look forward to being with friends and family and sharing those rituals that connect us to one...
- Trade with China (1 speech)
The announcement by China that it will put 100 to 200 per cent tariffs on Australian wine comes as a fairly cruel blow. South Australia will be badly hit by this, given that we are the biggest...
- Roberts, Mrs Wendy (1 speech)
It's no stretch to say that this year we have a renewed appreciation of the wonderful work that volunteers do in our community. Soo today I rise to congratulate Wendy Roberts, a local volunteer...
- Williams, Aunty Eileen (2 speeches)
I would like to take this opportunity to pay tribute to one of the great but humble elders in our community in Logan, Aunty Eileen Williams, who sadly passed away on 27 September 2020. Aunty...
- Private Members' Business (0 speeches)
- Koalas (10 speeches)
I move: That this House: (1) notes that: (a) the koala is an iconic Australian species; (b) the Queensland, New South Wales and Australian Capital Territory koala populations have been listed as...
- Scouting and Guiding Movement (13 speeches)
I move: That this House: (1) notes: (a) the enormous success the scouting and guiding movement has had around the world in promoting personal development programs for children and young adults...
- Australian Federal Integrity Commission Bill 2020 (10 speeches)
I move: That this House: (1) agrees that effective politics requires constructive debate and consensus building on policy challenges and roadblocks that, if left unresolved, undermine the...
- COVID-19: Victoria (11 speeches)
I move: That this House: (1) recognises that metropolitan and regional Victorians continue to face significant limitations to their freedoms due to COVID-19 restrictions; (2) acknowledges that:...
- (5 speeches)
I move: That this House: (1) recognises that: (a) prior to the passage of the Parliamentary Privileges Act 1987 the houses of the Australian Parliament had the power to expel a senator, or member...
