House debates
Monday, 25 March 2024
- Committees (0 speeches)
- Petitions Committee; Report (1 speech)
I present the 24th report of the Petitions Committee for the 47th Parliament. The report read as follows— HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES PETITIONS COMMITTEE REPORT No. 24 Petitions and...
- Petitions (0 speeches)
- Presentation (1 speech)
I present the following two petitions:
- Responses (1 speech)
I present the following four ministerial responses to petitions previously presented:
- Statements (1 speech)
This report is unusually short, simply because of the cycle of petitions opening and closing for signatures, combined with the dates of parliamentary sittings. There is an important matter that...
- Committees (0 speeches)
- Employment, Education and Training Committee; Report (6 speeches)
On behalf of the Standing Committee on Employment, Education and Training, I present the committee's report, incorporating a dissenting report, entitled Shared vision, equal pathways: Inquiry...
- Bills (0 speeches)
- Private Members' Business (0 speeches)
- Future Made in Australia (10 speeches)
I move: That this House: (1) commends the Government's commitment to build a Future Made in Australia that includes a strong, diverse economy with greater opportunity and security for all; (2)...
- Live Animal Exports (9 speeches)
I move: That this House: (1) notes that: (a) Australia's live sheep export industry employs more than 3,500 people in Western Australia and is worth $85 million in direct payments to producers...
- Renewable Energy (5 speeches)
I move: That this House: (1) notes that under its Inflation Reduction Act, the United States of America (USA) has committed more than one trillion (AUD) in incentives to accelerate the USA's...
- Motions (0 speeches)
- Middle East (9 speeches)
I move: That so much of the standing and sessional orders be suspended as would prevent the Member for Griffith from moving the following motion —That the House calls on the Government to...
- Bills (0 speeches)
- Statements by Members (0 speeches)
- Groom Electorate: Hope Horizons (1 speech)
Our community will be celebrating the opening of the new premises for Hope Horizons, the Jenny Black Cancer Wellness Centre, on Saturday 6 April. This is a fantastic occasion. There are very few...
- Petition: Falun Gong (2 speeches)
by leave—I present a petition with 22,470 signatures calling for the end of the persecution of Falun Gong practitioners in China. The petition states that Falun Gong is a peaceful...
- Renewable Energy (1 speech)
Destructive, dangerous, ugly. I was hoping the Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water would be able to tell our community something more about Labor's planned Mandurah...
- Werriwa Electorate: St Rafqa Maronite Church (1 speech)
Yesterday I was honoured to be invited to the observance of Hosanna mass for Palm Sunday at the parish of St Rafqa in Austral. The service was conducted by Bishop Antoine-Charbel Tarabay, Father...
- Microplastics (1 speech)
(): There is growing concern about the impacts of microplastics in our waters, and rightly so, I say, considering the International Union for Conservation of Nature estimates about 14...
- Wills Electorate: Shop225 (1 speech)
My electorate of Wills is blessed to be home to some of the best food in Melbourne, which means the best food in Australia and in the world. So we're spoilt for choice, with so many amazing local...
- Australian Greens (1 speech)
(): Right around the country, there's a second Green wave, and the major parties are on notice. The Greens have had astounding success in the Brisbane local government elections, the...
- Easter (1 speech)
Easter is a time of reflection, a renewal, for many across my electorate and across Australia. It is a time when we pause to remember the profound love and compassion that he showed to all...
- Acott, Mr Warren (1 speech)
I rise today to speak about an incredible Australian man named Warren 'Woz' Acott. Woz has been a truck driver for about 40 years in rural Victoria, but last year, aged 66, he was diagnosed with...
- Greek Independence Day (1 speech)
Today, being 25 March, marks Greek Independence Day. I extend to all Greek Australians in my electorate and throughout Australia and, of course, throughout the world: Xronia Polla, or Happy...
- Whitton, Ms Lisa, Camp Quality, Grafton Tour de Cure (1 speech)
I'd like to congratulate and thank Lisa Whitton from Grafton on her recent retirement after 42 years working at Coles, and for her nearly 30 years of volunteering service at Camp Quality in...
- Haydn, Ms Tania (1 speech)
I rise to acknowledge Gosford Woman of the Year nominee Tania Haydn for her continued dedication to our Central Coast community and, in particular, the Woy Woy Peninsula Community Garden. Tania...
- Easter (1 speech)
With Palm Sunday yesterday and Good Friday and Easter Sunday coming up at the end of this week, we are reminded of the significance of Easter: a time of reflection, forgiveness, renewal and hope....
- Taxation (1 speech)
One of the best ways to ensure workers can deal with cost-of-living pressures is to ensure that they earn enough to provide for their loved ones and to get ahead—not one or the other. This...
- New England Electorate: Royal Agricultural Society of New South Wales Awards, New England Electorate: Renewable Energy (1 speech)
At the Royal Easter Show, I'd like to say a big hello, welcome and congratulations to Tycolah hereford stud, who got the supreme hereford award; to Michael Purtle, who I often bump into when I'm...
- Multiple Births Awareness Week (1 speech)
Last week was Multiple Births Awareness Week. Over the weekend, I attended two SA multiple births association playgroups, and last Thursday we welcomed the Australian Multiple Birth Association,...
- Capricornia Electorate: Health Care (1 speech)
Central Queenslanders have once again been duped by the Queensland state Labor government into believing that they are finally getting access to vital health infrastructure. Currently, those who...
- Swan Electorate: Wages (1 speech)
Money matters, wages matter, earning more matters and keeping more of what you earn matters. That's what matters in my electorate of Swan, and that's what matters to the Albanese Labor...
- Farrer Electorate: Local Government (2 speeches)
I rise on behalf of local councils in my electorate of Farrer. For well over a year now, my mayors and general managers have been patiently waiting for the promised increases in local government...
- Liberal Party of Australia (2 speeches)
Vicky Pollard is one of the great figures of modern British satire. You've all heard her: 'Yeah, but no, but yeah.' It's far more clever than people give Vicky credit for because she indicates...
- Ministry (0 speeches)
- Temporary Arrangements (1 speech)
I inform the House that the Assistant Treasurer will be absent from question time this week. The Treasurer will answer questions on his behalf. I'm sure that, on behalf of all the parliament, I...
- Questions without Notice (0 speeches)
- Pensions and Benefits (4 speeches)
My question is to the Minister for Indigenous Australians. Given the unprecedented amount of violence in Indigenous communities following the government's withdrawal of the cashless debit card,...
- Wages (4 speeches)
My question is to the Minister for Employment and Workplace Relations. After a decade of deliberate wage stagnation, how is the Albanese Labor government helping to get wages moving? What has...
- Cybersafety (2 speeches)
My question is to the Minister for Communications. I refer to the disturbing trend of people posting videos to social media that glorify crime, including examples of thugs invading people's homes...
- Wages (7 speeches)
My question is to the Treasurer. How is the Albanese Labor government getting wages moving again in our economy, and what approaches have been rejected?
- Distinguished Visitors (0 speeches)
- Questions without Notice (0 speeches)
- Lobbying of Parliamentarians (2 speeches)
My question is to the Attorney-General. At the National Press Club on 12 October 2022, you said that you would work hard to ensure that there is 'as much transparency as possible', specifically...
- Cost of Living (5 speeches)
My question is to the Prime Minister. How is the Albanese Labor government tackling the cost-of-living pressures Australian families are facing, and what has been the response?
- Energy (13 speeches)
My question is to the Minister for Climate Change and Energy. Cafe owner Natalie Siegele in my electorate of Barker is at breaking point. She said, 'It's the worst it's been in my whole seven...
- Defence Procurement: Submarines (6 speeches)
My question is to the Deputy Prime Minister. How is the Albanese Labor government progressing the delivery of AUKUS submarines, and how does this compare to other approaches?
- Energy (14 speeches)
My question is to the Prime Minister. The Prime Minister promised on 100 occasions to the Australian people before the election that he would cut power prices by $275. He's never mentioned that...
- Vaping (10 speeches)
My question is to the Minister for Health and Aged Care. What actions is the Albanese Labor government taking to tackle vaping? Why is strong action urgently required? I thank you for your efforts.
- Energy (2 speeches)
My question is to the Minister for Climate Change and Energy. Labor's energy policy is driving prices up and reliability down. The Australian Energy Market Operator revealed that gas generators...
- Defence Industry (4 speeches)
My question is to the Minister for Defence Industry. How is the Albanese Labor government supporting Australia's critical defence industrial base? Why is this so important after a decade of neglect?
- Education (10 speeches)
My question is to the Prime Minister. Many young people in Fowler are not just experiencing the cost of living crisis but are also facing an increased mountain of debt with their education. The...
- Aged Care (2 speeches)
My question is to the Minister for Aged Care. How is the Albanese government helping aged-care workers earn more and keep more of what they earn? What impact is that having on the quality of care...
- New Vehicle Efficiency Standards (2 speeches)
My question is to the Minister for Climate Change and Energy. The minister hailed Labor's new family car and ute tax as bringing Australia into line with vehicle standards in the United States by...
- Housing (2 speeches)
My question is to the Minister for Housing and Homelessness. How will the Albanese Labor government's tax cuts help tradies build the homes Australia needs, and what is standing in the way of the...
- Environment (4 speeches)
My question is to the Minister for Resources. Labor promised to strengthen environment laws and back the Uluru statement, but, after big gas corporation Santos wrote to them and complained about...
- Housing (27 speeches)
My question is to the Minister for Industry and Science. How can Australian manufacturers help build more homes in Australia, creating more jobs with better pay? Are there different views about...
- Energy (4 speeches)
My question is to the Minister for Climate Change and Energy. How is the Albanese Labor government working with states, territories and local members to deliver reliable and affordable...
- Motor Vehicles (4 speeches)
My question is to the Minister for Climate Change and Energy: Toyota has said Labor's new family car and new tax will lead to price rises or companies rationalising their product offerings, and...
- Women (12 speeches)
My question is to the minister representing the Minister for Women. How will Labor's tax cuts benefit Australian women, and why is it important to have women in the room when governments make...
- Statement by the Speaker (0 speeches)
- Catchpole, Mr James (1 speech)
Before members leave, I have a short statement to make for the information of members. One of our long-serving senior parliamentary officers, Mr James Catchpole, will shortly retire. Many of you...
- Questions to the Speaker (0 speeches)
- Parliament House: Administration (4 speeches)
I have a question for you, Mr Speaker, regarding the administration of this building. Last Friday afternoon, I referred to you a matter of significant concern. Earlier on that day, 22 March, an...
- Statements (0 speeches)
- Business (0 speeches)
- Rearrangement (9 speeches)
I move: That so much of the standing and sessional orders be suspended as would prevent the member for Kennedy from moving the following motion immediately—That this house (1) notes that:...
- Bills (0 speeches)
- Questions without Notice: Additional Answers (0 speeches)
- Pensions and Benefits (1 speech)
This is a very brief explanation and the bill will resume after I speak. I seek to add to an answer. Today in question time, I was asked a question about the cashless debit card. I can confirm to...
- Bills (0 speeches)
- Statements on Indulgence (0 speeches)
- Question Time (2 speeches)
During question time today, I was ordered to leave the chamber for one hour under standing order 94(a). Despite my extensive experience in such matters, I subsequently re-entered the chamber...
- Quorums (1 speech)
I would also like to apologise for leaving when a quorum was called earlier this evening. I left to do quorum duty up in the Federation Chamber. I apologise profusely.
- Bills (0 speeches)
- Adjournment (0 speeches)
- Forde Electorate: Community Events (1 speech)
As we, in this place, all know, we have a range of wonderful community organisations in our electorates. Normally, over the course of weekends, many of them are out and about doing really...
- Lalor Electorate (1 speech)
The electorate of Lalor, my electorate, is home to Wyndham City, which is one of Australia's fastest-growing municipalities. It currently has a population exceeding 300,000 and is expected to...
- Economy (1 speech)
Google Maps, pacemakers, medical penicillin and wi-fi: what do these life-changing innovations have in common? They were all created by Australians. It is undeniable that we were once a nation of...
- Cohen, Dr Hershal (1 speech)
It is a privilege to have a platform in this place to spotlight the contributions of remarkable individuals in our communities. While they may not be widely recognised beyond their local areas,...
- Health Care (1 speech)
Firstly, I want to commend the member for Macnamara and pass on my condolences to him and his family. I have no doubt that his grandfather was very proud of him. This is a robust environment, but...
- Endometriosis Awareness Month (1 speech)
It feels like only yesterday that I was standing in this place talking about endometriosis awareness last year. But as we come towards the close of Endometriosis Awareness Month I feel it...
- Constituency Statements (0 speeches)
- Linear Park (1 speech)
It's a pleasure to take this opportunity to keep the House updated on the work that we're doing in the local community around our vision for Linear Park. Linear Park is a great asset and...
- Maitland Woman of the Year 2024 (1 speech)
It was with great pleasure that the Hon. Jenny Aitchison, the state member for Maitland and also the New South Wales Minister for Regional Transport and Roads, announced Evelyn Stonham as the...
- Housing, Social Media (1 speech)
Never before have we seen a federal government so beholden to vested interests as we do in this Albanese Labor government. A quick look at housing and children's safety online and we see it on...
- Motor Neurone Disease (1 speech)
Last week, parliament was visited by an amazing and inspiring individual. Warren 'Woz' Ascott was diagnosed with motor neurone disease, MND, in July 2023, and he has made it his mission to mow...
- Durack Electorate: Services Australia (1 speech)
I rise to express my deep concerns regarding Services Australia's unacceptable and extensive delays with claims and processing times. This situation is progressively getting worse at a time when...
- Cost of Living (3 speeches)
Constituents in my electorate of Gilmore can be assured that my No. 1 priority, as your member for Gilmore and as part of the Albanese government, is addressing inflation and cost-of-living...
- Education: Rural and Regional Australia (1 speech)
Last Friday, I attended the Isolated Children's Parents' Association annual general meeting in South Australia. Quorn is about 340 kilometres north of Adelaide in my electorate, and I try and...
- Newcastle Electorate: Cost of Living (1 speech)
Kahlia is a Newcastle small-business owner—a beauty therapist and mother of three. Thanks to fee-free TAFE, Kahlia is now nine months into her certificate IV in assessment and training....
- Corangamite Electorate: Tourism Industry (1 speech)
My electorate of Corangamite in Victoria is a beautiful place. It's home to the Great Ocean Road, the stunning Surf Coast and the Bellarine Peninsula. Our hospitality and excellence in tourism...
- Young Australians (2 speeches)
Young people are going backwards. They've been going backwards for the last 20 years, and we're only finally cottoning on to it, but we need to act. Governments of all persuasions and at all...
- Private Members' Business (0 speeches)
- Student Debt (7 speeches)
I move: That this House: (1) notes that: (a) in the 2023 financial year the Government collected more money from HECS/HELP debt than it did from gas companies; (b) millions of Australians with...
- International Women's Day (9 speeches)
I move: That this House: (1) notes that International Women's Day is celebrated annually on 8 March and that the theme for 2024 is Invest in Women: Accelerate Progress; (2) acknowledges that the...
- Services Australia (11 speeches)
I move: That this House: (1) notes with concern that during a cost of living crisis: (a) call-wait times at Services Australia remain unacceptably high; and (b) processing times for key claims,...
- Multiculturalism (7 speeches)
Today I rise proudly to speak on the Albanese Labor government's strong support for multicultural communities and the importance of our wonderful and diverse communities in McEwen. Of course, we...
- Export Market Development Grants Program (6 speeches)
I move: That this House: (1) notes: (a) that estimated budget allocations for the Export Market Development Grants (EMDG) program decreased from $169 million in the financial year 2022-23 to $110...
- Statements by Members (0 speeches)
- Housing (1 speech)
With house prices at record highs, young people don't know if they'll ever be able to buy a home. Housing insecurity is a structural problem. It's not a superannuation problem. Accessing...
- Mild Traumatic Brain Injury (1 speech)
I recently spoke with a former Australian commando, Paul Scanlan, about a hidden and often devastating plight affecting far too many Australian and Allied veterans. Mild traumatic brain injury,...
- Young Australians (1 speech)
There's a podcast called Who Screwed Millennials? I don't like using that sort of language in parliament, but I think the question is the right one. From 2004 to 2016, the wealth of...
- Werriwa Electorate: Veterans' and Families' Hub (1 speech)
I had the privilege of welcoming the Minister for Veterans' Affairs, my friend the Hon. Matt Keogh, to south-west Sydney recently to announce the establishment of the Veterans' and Families' Hub...
- Toondah Harbour (1 speech)
Toondah Harbour is a beautiful home to one of Australia's most significant wetlands. It's internationally recognised under the Ramsar Convention on Wetlands—an agreement to which Australia...
- Women In Sport (1 speech)
The Matildas captured the heart of the nation at last year's FIFA Women's World Cup. We were delighted today to have Michelle Heyman and Lydia Williams in the parliament. It didn't matter last...
- COVID-19: Vaccination (1 speech)
I read today that finally New South Wales Health looks set to scrap its useless, redundant and discriminatory COVID mandates, but we're still waiting for Victoria to drop its 'three jabs or no...
- Gilmore Electorate: Infrastructure (1 speech)
When it comes to local infrastructure I'm proud to be part of the Albanese Labor government that's just getting on with it, whether it is the Jervis Bay flyover that is in major construction...
- Surfers Paradise Surf Lifesaving Club: Business Meets Sport (1 speech)
I joined a packed room of dedicated Gold Coasters to raise funds for the iconic Surfers Paradise Surf Lifesaving Club—in its 100th year of saving lives on Surfers Paradise Beach. Hosted by...
- Bennelong Electorate: World's Greatest Shave (1 speech)
Deputy Speaker, today I stand before you to highlight the incredible efforts of students at Epping Boys High School and Cheltenham Girls High School in Bennelong for their participation in the...
- Kadima, Kazadi (1 speech)
Every chance I get in my electorate on a Saturday morning, I do the five-kay parkrun around the Victoria Park Lake. An interesting thing happens when I'm on about my third kay. I'm not the...
- Higgins Electorate: Ewing Kindergarten (1 speech)
Tucked away on a quiet, tree-lined street is a place ringing with the laughter of children that screams joy from the moment you step through the gate. Ewing Kindergarten is a place where children...
- Universities (1 speech)
HECS debt is on the minds of many current and former students. That is because on 1 June each year indexation is applied to the accumulated study and training debt. More than three million...
- Middle East (1 speech)
Whilst the Hamas leadership and the Israeli Prime Minister fight for military ascendancy and their own political survival, innocent Israeli and Palestinian people are dying. Since 7 October last...
- Member for Parkes (2 speeches)
Today I announced to my party room that I would not be contesting the next election. I have been in this place since 2007. I was elected in the Rudd slide of 2007, and by the time the next...
- World's Greatest Shave (1 speech)
Every year, thousands of Australians step up to shave, cut or colour their hair for the World's Greatest Shave. It's the ultimate act of support for people facing blood cancer. Blood cancer is...
- Wright Electorate: Local Government (1 speech)
Local government elections were held in Queensland recently, and I'd like to take this opportunity to congratulate the local mayors who were re-elected or elected in my region. From the Scenic...
- Fraser Electorate: Holi (1 speech)
Over the past two weekends, the Fraser community has celebrated Holi, the Hindu festival of colours, which marks the start of spring in India, Nepal and other south Asian countries, and for their...
- Dawson Electorate: Young Mayors Program (1 speech)
Our youth are our future and, right now, I'm beaming with pride about five incredible and brilliant young minds from Mackay who I met during their recent trip to Canberra as part of the Young...
- Sri Lankan New Year (1 speech)
Sri Lankan new year, also known as Aluth Avurudda in Sinhalese, and Puthandu in Tamil, is one of the most significant cultural festivals celebrated in Sri Lanka and around the world. It is a time...
- National Disability Insurance Scheme (1 speech)
Over the past 18 months I've conducted a number of forums in my electorate on aged care, health care, veterans affairs and child care, and, unsurprisingly, there's been a consistent theme from...
- Endometriosis (1 speech)
Endometriosis can be a crippling condition that affects over one million Australians at some point their lives. Recent statistics, according to Endometriosis Australia, have found that one in...
- Local Government (1 speech)
In my 16 years in parliament I've seen some cynical things, but I think the cynicism reached a new level last week with the announcement by the government that it's launching a parliamentary...
- Middle East (1 speech)
It was heartbreaking to hear over the weekend news that international efforts for an immediate and sustained ceasefire in Gaza had failed. This is distressing news for everyone who wants to see...
- Western Australia: Labor Government (1 speech)
Regional Western Australia is under attack from state and federal Labor governments. The phase-out of the live sheep trade, the introduction of the biosecurity tax, the rollout of unwanted...
- Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation (2 speeches)
Recently I met with Adam Costantini, a Hillbank local like myself and a tireless community advocate for the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation, an organisation many of us know very well. JDRF...
- Private Members' Business (0 speeches)
- Cost of Living (18 speeches)
by leave—on behalf of the member for Groom, I move: That this House: (1) notes comments by the Minister for Home Affairs in the House on Wednesday, 14 February 2024 in regard to 'parents...
- Cybercrime (11 speeches)
I move: That this House: (1) recognises that the National Anti-Scam Centre's second quarterly report shows that scam losses from October to December 2023 reduced by 43 per cent from the same...
- Live Sheep Exports (11 speeches)
This government supports strong animal welfare standards and believes all animals should be treated humanely. The Labor Party went to the last two elections committed to the phase-out of live...
- Home Guarantee Scheme (3 speeches)
I'm very pleased to speak on this private members' motion tonight about the Home Guarantee Scheme. I want to say that the Albanese government understands safe and affordable housing is central to...
