House debates
Monday, 26 February 2024
- Committees (0 speeches)
- Petitions Committee; Report (1 speech)
I present the 21st report of the Petitions Committee for the 47th Parliament. The report read as follows— HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES PETITIONS COMMITTEE REPORT No. 21 Petitions and...
- Petitions (0 speeches)
- Presentation (1 speech)
I present the following 65 petitions:
- Responses (1 speech)
I present the following seven ministerial responses to petitions previously presented:
- Statements (1 speech)
Topics among this week's batch of petitions include migration matters, aspects of the conflict in the Middle East, and the National Disability Insurance Scheme. The committee continues to work to...
- Bills (0 speeches)
- Private Members' Business (0 speeches)
- Aviation Industry (7 speeches)
I move: That this House: (1) notes that: (a) the conduct of Australian airlines has recently come under fire for a variety of practices, such as sometimes only offering Frequent Flyer and...
- Roads (17 speeches)
I move: That this House: (1) notes that: (a) Australia's severe and intense weather events over recent years have placed immense pressure on the nation's regional, rural, and remote road network;...
- Education (11 speeches)
I rise in support of the hardworking member for Robertson's motion regarding the commitment of the Albanese government to better and fairer education for all Australians. Education is the...
- Motions (0 speeches)
- Middle East: Occupied Palestinian Territories (9 speeches)
I move: That so much of the standing and sessional orders be suspended as would prevent the member for Melbourne moving the following motion: That the House: (1) notes that since the House of...
- Bills (0 speeches)
- Statements by Members (0 speeches)
- Queensland: Roads, Biosecurity Protection Levy (1 speech)
What is Labor's beef with Central Queensland? Senate estimates this month revealed that $400 million of funding for the upgrades of 475 kilometres of beef corridors to be sealed has been pushed...
- Bean Electorate: Communities at Work Galilee School (1 speech)
2024 has started strongly for the Communities at Work Galilee School in my electorate of Bean. This small but growing school hit a milestone of achieving 100 enrolments. The timing could not be...
- Energy (1 speech)
In the Australian today, Nick Cater wrote: In 2004, Australian electricity bills were the fourth-lowest in the OECD. The wind and solar caper had barely begun, and coal and gas supplied 91 per...
- Werriwa Electorate: Infrastructure (1 speech)
The suburb of Edmondson Park in Werriwa has grown significantly over the last few decades. In 2011 the population was 424. By 2021 it had soared to over 12,000, and it continues to grow, as one...
- Grocery Prices (1 speech)
When Woolworths announced that their CEO, Brad Banducci, was heading to the self-check-out line, you might have missed the bigger story: the half-yearly profits. They came in at just under $1...
- Macquarie Electorate: Small Business (1 speech)
I discovered a new Macquarie small business at the Springwood Growers Market this weekend, the Blue Mountains Liquor Company, whose sugar-free liqueur is made with oranges from the Hawkesbury....
- Mayo Electorate: Sport (1 speech)
I'd like to talk about a couple of recent outings down in the Southern Vales region of my electorate. The first was to the Aldinga Sharks soccer club. Now, 2023 was a landmark year for the club,...
- Dominguez, Mr Geoffrey (1 speech)
I rise to acknowledge Mr Geoffrey Dominguez, who has been awarded a 10-year long-service medal for his contributions to the Duke of Edinburgh's International Award for his service in training...
- Beaudesert State High School (1 speech)
Today I'd like to acknowledge and congratulate all the students at Beaudesert State High School on their recent leadership ceremony. Last week I had the pleasure of attending the ceremony. The...
- Energy (1 speech)
I'd like to bring to the attention of the House and any businesses in Boothby listening at home that round 2 of the energy efficiency grants for small and medium businesses are now open to help...
- Vocational Education and Training (1 speech)
I rise today following a visit by the Deputy Leader of the Opposition—who is of course the shadow minister for industry, skills and training—to my electorate of Fadden last week. We...
- Cost of Living (1 speech)
I'm proud to be a member of a government, the Albanese government, that is prioritising measures to deal with inflation and cost-of-living pressures—a challenge that arose from...
- New Vehicle Efficiency Standard (1 speech)
Last week I spent time in my electorate, travelling through the north and western part and visiting communities in Dubbo, Narromine, Bourke, Brewarrina and Walgett. I did a bit of a poll in the...
- Cost of Living (1 speech)
I'm so pleased to be part of a government that is taking real action to relieve cost-of-living pressures. I note that our terrific Treasurer is in the chamber right now, and he absolutely knows...
- Leichhardt Electorate: Project Recognise (1 speech)
In the wake of Cyclone Jasper and associated floods, the true spirit of the Far North Queensland community has shone brightly. In conjunction with Sergeant Dave Raymond, Project Recognise has...
- Dunkley By-Election (1 speech)
I was so proud to be in Carrum Downs last weekend, backing Labor's fantastic candidate for Dunkley, Jodie Belyea. Jodie is a mum with a mortgage, and she's a local who has already had some great...
- New Vehicle Efficiency Standard (1 speech)
The Albanese government promised openness and transparency. Instead, we have a secret plan to increase the price of Australia's favourite cars by up to $20,000. Those opposite, including the...
- Grocery Prices (1 speech)
We know that families are facing higher prices at the supermarket checkout with nothing more to show for it in their trollies. It's hurting household budgets, and more people are going without....
- Communications Legislation Amendment (Combatting Misinformation and Disinformation) Bill 2023 (2 speeches)
In June last year the Albanese government released its shocking Communication Legislation Amendment (Combatting Misinformation and Disinformation) Bill 2023, which was so bad that it managed to...
- Cost of Living (2 speeches)
The people of Lalor, like the people of Dunkley, are doing it tough. We all know that in this place. People around the country are facing cost-of-living issues. I'm really proud to be a member of...
- Ministry (0 speeches)
- Temporary Arrangements (1 speech)
I inform the House that the Minister for Communications will be absent from question time this week. The Attorney-General will answer questions on her behalf.
- Condolences (0 speeches)
- Mr Cross, Manfred Douglas, AM (1 speech)
I inform the House of the death on 30 January 2024 of Manfred Douglas Cross AM, a member of this House for the division of Brisbane from 1961 to 1975 and 1980 to 1990. As a mark of respect to the...
- Questions without Notice (0 speeches)
- Immigration (15 speeches)
My question is to the Minister for Immigration, Citizenship and Multicultural Affairs. Over 500,000 visas have been granted under the Albanese Labor government in the past year, with more than...
- Royal Australian Navy (8 speeches)
My question is to the Deputy Prime Minister. How will the Albanese Labor government's response to the surface fleet review shape the Royal Australian Navy for decades to come, and what...
- Migration (16 speeches)
My question is to the Minister for Housing. Over 500,000 visas have been granted by the Albanese Labor government in the past year, with more than 1.6 million projected to be granted over five...
- Taxation (2 speeches)
My question is to the Prime Minister. How will the government's new tax cuts benefit Australian families and how will they help to build a better future?
- Distinguished Visitors (0 speeches)
- Meares, Ms Anna, OAM (1 speech)
I'd like to acknowledge a few guests in the gallery. I'm pleased to inform the House that present in gallery today are the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Czech Republic, Mr Jan Lipavsky, and...
- Questions without Notice (0 speeches)
- Long COVID (2 speeches)
My question is for the health minister. The health committee's report into long COVID concluded that we need national indoor air quality standards to improve the safety of indoor spaces and...
- Education (2 speeches)
My question is to the Minister for Education. What does the Universities Accord final report say about the future of higher education in Australia, and why is it important the government builds a...
- Migration (4 speeches)
My question is to the minister for immigration. Many Australians can't find a home to live in. Our roads are gridlocked, and essential services like schools and hospitals are under growing...
- Defence (2 speeches)
My question is to the Minister for Defence Industry. How is the Albanese Labor government ensuring the Royal Australian Navy can play its part in Australia's defence, what impact will these...
- New Vehicle Efficiency Standard (5 speeches)
My question is to the Minister for Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government. Australia's top-selling car brand, Toyota, doesn't domestically sell a single vehicle that...
- Workplace Relations (4 speeches)
My question is to the Minister for Employment and Workplace Relations. How has the Albanese Labor government's workplace relations agenda contributed to strong wages growth after a decade of...
- Taxation: Fuel (12 speeches)
My question is to the Assistant Treasurer. Labor's new family car and ute tax will impose penalties of $100 per gram kilometre. Does the minister agree with the comments of the Minister for...
- Taxation (4 speeches)
My question is to the Treasurer. How is the Albanese Labor government working to get wages moving again and ensuring workers keep more of what they earn? How does that compare with previous...
- Gambling Advertising (6 speeches)
My question is to the Prime Minister. The Dunkley by-election is this weekend. The late and great Peta Murphy wanted a full ban on gambling ads, saying, 'It needs to be done, with no room for...
- Taxation (2 speeches)
My question is to the Minister representing the Minister for Women. How will the Albanese Labor government's tax cuts support women to earn more and to keep more of what they earn?
- New Vehicle Efficiency Standard (2 speeches)
My question goes to the Minister for Climate Change and Energy. Why, during Labor's cost-of-living crisis, is the government proposing a tax increase of $15,000 on the price of a new Toyota Hilux?
- Aged Care (2 speeches)
My question is to the Minister for Aged Care and for Sport. How is the Albanese Labor government helping our crucial aged-care workers to earn more and keep more of what they earn?
- Universities (7 speeches)
My question is for the Minister for Education. Last May, the crossbench wrote to you with concerns about indexation of HECS and HELP loans, which are now over seven per cent. HECS indexation has...
- Wages (2 speeches)
My question is to the Minister for Workplace Relations. What progress has the Albanese Labor government made toward closing the gender pay gap? What reforms have contributed to this?
- New Vehicle Efficiency Standard (9 speeches)
My question is to the Minister for Climate Change and Energy. I refer to Labor's new family car and ute tax. Last year—
- Health Care (3 speeches)
My question is to the Minister for Health and Aged Care. How is the Albanese Labor government working to ensure Australians have access to the health services they need, and why is it important...
- Auditor-General's Reports (0 speeches)
- Report Nos 17 and 18 of 2023-24 (1 speech)
I present the Auditor-General's reports Nos 17 and 18 for 2023-24. Details of the reports will be recorded in the Votes and Proceedings. Documents made parliamentary papers.
- 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)
- New Vehicle Efficiency Standard, Electric Vehicles (1 speech)
Scott Braid is one of the principal dealers of the long-established family firm Wagga Motors. I have known Scott for many years, and I knew his father. I have always respected this wonderful...
- Bennelong Electorate: Lunar New Year (1 speech)
I rise today to acknowledge the wonderful experiences that have happened in Bennelong over the last month as we celebrated both Australia Day and lunar new year. Saturday was the official end of...
- Sunshine Coast: Rail (1 speech)
Only a couple of days ago the Queensland Labor Party leadership stood in front of cameras and celebrated what effectively is the halving of a rail project to Maroochydore for twice the price and...
- Taxation (1 speech)
Most people pay their fair share of tax, so why should the biggest multinational companies get away with paying zero tax in Australia? One in three medium and large corporate entities paid zero...
- Forestry Industry (1 speech)
Australia has some of the best-managed sustainable forestry industries in the world, globally certified and operating under very strict regulations. In fact, the majority of our commercial...
- Freedom of Speech (1 speech)
Democracy, the bedrock of this great country, relies on the informed choices of an engaged citizenry. Recently we have witnessed a troubling trend—an erosion of truth, a distortion of...
- Constituency Statements (0 speeches)
- Mirboo North: Storm (1 speech)
Without warning a horrific storm ran through the town of Mirboo North. Imagine a giant wall of steel being pushed through the bush and flattening everything in sight, tearing whole palm trees out...
- Cessnock City Council: Australia Day Awards (1 speech)
My electorate is lucky to be filled with amazing people. Recently Cessnock City Council recognised just a few of the people who make our community such an amazing place to live. On Australia Day,...
- Griffith Electorate: Council Elections (1 speech)
For more than three years the Greens and the local community in East Brisbane, Kangaroo Point and Woolloongabba have been standing up and fighting back against Labor and the LNP's plan to...
- Edwards, Mr Thomas Haddon (1 speech)
Ipswich is in mourning with the recent passing of its most respected business leader Thomas Haddon Edwards at the age of 87. Tom was the owner of prominent electrical store and family business RT...
- Kurz, Mr Merv (1 speech)
I rise to inform the House of an extraordinary individual, Merv Kurz from Springbrook. I offer his name into the Hansard for the extraordinary contribution he's made over five decades to that...
- Western Australia: Lunar New Year (1 speech)
The Lunar New Year celebrations have just passed in my home state of Western Australia, ushering in the Year of the Dragon, and they have been nothing short of amazing. We are so lucky to have...
- Fadden Electorate (1 speech)
Since we were last in Canberra, I've enjoyed hosting some of my colleagues in the electorate of Fadden. I recently had the opportunity to have the Deputy Leader of the Opposition, the member for...
- Mould (1 speech)
The presence of mould in dwellings throughout Australia is a significant health issue. On the Central Coast, it is an escalating problem affecting many people, particularly those living in social...
- Australian Defence Force (1 speech)
Today we have around 90,000 Australian men and women who put on the uniform of our Navy, Army and Air Force and are prepared to place themselves in harm's way to help those who can't necessarily...
- Hotham Electorate: Hotham Community Spirit and Leadership Awards (2 speeches)
It's wonderful to be on my feet in the parliament today talking about some of the incredible work that is being done by young leaders across my electorate of Hotham. We all, as members of...
- Private Members' Business (0 speeches)
- Lobbyists (7 speeches)
I move: That this House: (1) acknowledges that public perceptions of the pervasive influence that lobbyists have over political decision-making have worsened in recent years; (2) recognises that...
- Multiculturalism (13 speeches)
I move: That this House: (1) acknowledges: (a) the work the Government has undertaken to support Australia's multicultural communities, including: (i) launching the Multicultural Framework...
- Passports (7 speeches)
I move: That this House: (1) notes that: (a) a report released on 7 February 2024 by the Australian National Audit Office (ANAO) on the Australian Passport Office revealed that passport...
- Cuba (7 speeches)
I move: That this House: (1) notes that: (a) on 2 November 2023, Australia with 186 other member states again voted for the United Nations General Assembly resolution against the United States'...
- First Nations Australians (6 speeches)
I move: That this House: (1) acknowledges that: (a) this Government spent $450 million on the divisive Voice to Parliament referendum that was rejected by each state and territory, excluding the...
- Statements by Members (0 speeches)
- Fowler Electorate: Schools (1 speech)
I have been visiting many schools within our Fowler electorate to present my leadership awards, also known as the 'believe and achieve' awards, to select the students in recognition of their...
- Gilmore Electorate: Agricultural Shows (1 speech)
It is that time of year again; ag show season is upon us. Agricultural shows offer a delightful opportunity to celebrate the distinct character of our communities, where everything from poultry...
- Boosting Female Founders Initiative (1 speech)
I congratulate two female owned-businesses in Warringah who were successful in the Boosting Female Founders Initiative: Lactamo Holdings for their successful funding to respond to international...
- Grocery Prices (1 speech)
We all know that a basket of groceries at the check-out is costing more. In our view, Woolies and Coles have excessive market power—a concentration of power—and that means prices are...
- Bowman Electorate: Telecommunications (1 speech)
A key priority for me is to secure improved mobile phone reception within the Redlands. It's an area of acute concern to many locals in the mainland suburbs as well as in our Bay Islands. In...
- Medicare (1 speech)
Recently, we celebrated the 40th anniversary of Medicare—a proud Labor legacy. This Labor government is protecting and strengthening Medicare, because we care about the health of all...
- Smibert, Mr Kelvin (1 speech)
On behalf of the Mount Gambier community and the broader Limestone Coast, I'd like to pay tribute to the life of the late Kelvin Smibert. Kelvin was a member of Australia's greatest generation....
- Hockey Australia Indoor Hockey Championships (1 speech)
Last month the 2024 Hockey Australia Indoor Hockey Championships were held here in our capital. I'm pleased to report that the ACT became the champions of the women's open national indoor hockey....
- RSL Women's Auxiliary Tasmania State Branch (1 speech)
It was my absolute honour to open the Tasmanian RSL women's auxiliary 75th annual conference in Ulverstone on the weekend. Founded in 1949, the organisation has been unwavering in its commitment...
- Bangka Day Memorial Service (1 speech)
'Chin up, girls. I'm proud of you and I love you all.' These were the last words of Matron Irene Drummond as she and 21 other Australian nurses were marched into the sea at Radji Beach, Bangka...
- Casey Electorate: Community Events (1 speech)
There are many beautiful parts of my electorate of Casey, and one in particular that I'd like to talk about today is the wonderful Upper Yarra. I had a chance in the last week to spend some time...
- Jagajaga Electorate: Small Businesses (1 speech)
I love supporting small business in my community, and it has been a pleasure to spend a lot of time with the traders in Macleod recently, such as people like Frank and Helen Ciccone, who have...
- Cost of Living (1 speech)
The Taylor Swift phenomenon is everywhere, but I am going to give a shout-out to Travis Kelce, who happened to win a Super Bowl a couple of weeks ago. Welcome to Australia! The Prime Minister...
- Werriwa Electorate: Consumer Protections (1 speech)
Unfortunately, scams have become a regular occurrence in all of our lives. I'm often approached by constituents telling me they've received suspicious texts and phone calls and have been affected...
- Durack Electorate: Rescue Helicopter (1 speech)
I want to talk today about a recent decision of the WA state Labor government to reject the establishment of an emergency rescue helicopter based in Geraldton, which is the largest regional...
- Petition: Middle East (3 speeches)
by leave—I table a petition.
- Grey Electorate: Tod Highway (1 speech)
I'm disappointed, but not surprised, at the communication from the South Australia's transport department to the Lower Eyre Peninsula Council that the proposed and approved passing lanes on the...
- Holt Electorate: International Mother Language Day, Community Language Schools (1 speech)
I was proud to host International Mother Language Day celebrations in my office last Wednesday. This gathering brought together representatives from community language schools that engage with my...
- Logue, Mr Lionel George, CVO (1 speech)
Today, 26 February, is the anniversary of the birth of one of my more famous former constituents—in fact, he was never a constituent of mine, personally—Mr Lionel Logue, who was a...
- COVID-19: Social Distance and Loneliness (1 speech)
Our social landscape has changed dramatically thanks to COVID-19. We all remember the days of social distancing and avoiding crowded places. The days of enforced distancing are over, but,...
- Indi Electorate: Violet Town Women in War Memorial Mural (1 speech)
With great pride, I recently joined more than 300 community members at the Violet Town RSL sub-branch for the unveiling of the Women in War memorial mural, a project conceived in 2019 by RSL...
- Spence Electorate: Liverpool Football Club Academy (1 speech)
As a long-time supporter of Chelsea Football Club, it gives me no pleasure to announce this news to the House, especially after hearing the result of the Carabao Cup final, which took place in...
- Housing (1 speech)
If you thought Labor's housing crisis was bad in 2023, it's getting worse in 2024 and it will get worse in the years to come. Under the Labor government—20 months later—we have fewer...
- Weiss, Mr Denis (1 speech)
I rise to commend Mr Denis Weiss of Copacabana, who has been recognised for his 50 years of service to public education in New South Wales. Mr Weiss first started his teaching career in 1968 at...
- Victoria: Bushfires (1 speech)
Over the last two weeks, we've seen the tragedy of fire hit western Victoria. At Pomonal 46 houses were lost, sadly, and over the last few days in and around Beaufort we've seen six homes and...
- Petition: Lambton Post Office (4 speeches)
I rise to relay the concerns of my community about the imminent closure of the Lambton post office. The Lambton community is calling on Australia Post to reverse its plans to close the Elder...
- Herbert Electorate: Health Care (1 speech)
Accessing affordable health care should not be impossible; it's a basic human right. However, seeing a GP for a bulk-billing appointment is moving from a necessity to a luxury. According to newly...
- Hasluck Electorate: School Funding (1 speech)
When you hear the politics and law students at Guildford Grammar School mercilessly drill multiple questions at the Attorney-General about the need for the new Administrative Review Tribunal,...
- Forde Electorate: Australia Day Awards (1 speech)
It's with great pleasure that I rise today to highlight the work of Forde's 2024 Australia Day honours and awards recipients. Two local recipients were awarded the Medal of the Order of...
- Senior, Lt Col. Robert Clive (2 speeches)
Today, I rise to pay tribute to the remarkable life and enduring legacy of Robert Clive Senior, a distinguished veteran, an esteemed community leader and beloved family man, who passed away 13...
- Private Members' Business (0 speeches)
- Ukraine (10 speeches)
At the request of Mr Leeser, I move: That this House: (1) notes: (a) that February 2024 marks two years since Russia's illegal and immoral invasion of Ukraine; (b) the Ukrainian people continue...
- Workplace Relations (10 speeches)
The closing loopholes legislation is deeply personal to me. My parents, like many migrants, came to this country seeking a better life. They found it through secure jobs with good conditions...
- Housing (11 speeches)
I move: That this House: (1) notes that: (a) National Cabinet agreed to a national target to build 1.2 million new well-located homes over five years from 1 July 2024; and (b) the New South Wales...
- Regional Australia (11 speeches)
I move: That this House: (1) notes the Government recently published Informing Regional Investment: State of Australia's Regions 2024 which provides evidence and insights on contemporary topics...
