House debates
Tuesday, 4 February 2025
- Parliamentary Representation (0 speeches)
- Member for Hinkler; Resignation (1 speech)
I inform the House that on 19 January 2025 I received a letter from Keith John Pitt, resigning his seat as the member for the electoral division of Hinkler.
- Member for Maribyrnong; Resignation (1 speech)
I also inform the House that on 20 January 2025 I received a letter from William Richard Shorten, resigning his seat as the member for the electoral division of Maribyrnong.
- Issue of Writ (1 speech)
With the general election pending, I have decided that writs will not be issued and by-elections will not be held. This will avoid the necessity for the electors of Hinkler and Maribyrnong to...
- Business (0 speeches)
- Rearrangement (5 speeches)
Mr Speaker, happy new year! I move: That so much of the standing and sessional orders be suspended as would prevent the following: (1) the Member for Wentworth moving a motion relating to...
- Bills (0 speeches)
- Business (0 speeches)
- Rearrangement (10 speeches)
I move: That so much of the standing and sessional orders be suspended as would prevent the following: (1) the Member for Wentworth moving a motion relating to antisemitism; (2) each Member...
- Motions (0 speeches)
- Antisemitism (15 speeches)
I move: That this House: (1) deplores the appalling and unacceptable rise in antisemitism across Australia, including violent attacks on synagogues, schools, homes and childcare centres; (2)...
- Bills (0 speeches)
- Business (0 speeches)
- Rearrangement (1 speech)
I move: That notice No. 1, government business, be postponed until a later hour this day. Question agreed to.
- Statements by Members (0 speeches)
- Defence (1 speech)
Last week I was joined by the shadow minister for defence, the Hon. Andrew Hastie; the member for Bowman, Henry Pike; and 150 locals for the Bonner Bowman Defence Forum. The forum was an...
- Brassil, Mr James Thomas Carlin (Jim), AM (1 speech)
I rise to let the House know that a stalwart of the Labor Party in my part of the world died just before Christmas. James Brassil was more affectionately known as Jim, and it was my honour to...
- Economy (1 speech)
At the last election we were told that Australians would be better off under a Labor government. We've been sold a pup, and I ask the Australian public: how are you better off? When I speak to my...
- Asche, Hon. Keith John Austin, AC, KC, Hosking, Mr Matthew (1 speech)
Today I want to commemorate two Australians who served our country. The first a great Territorian and Australian, the Hon. Austin Asche AC AK. I attended Austin's state funeral yesterday in...
- Veterans (1 speech)
Today I raise a serious issue about access to health care for our veterans. I've been contacted by several physiotherapists in my electorate of Mackellar. They are deeply concerned about the...
- Australia Day (1 speech)
We recently celebrated one of the most important days of the year, Australia Day. Australia Day is a time to celebrate who we are as a nation, our history, our people, and the values that make...
- Donations to Political Parties (1 speech)
WATSON-BROWN () (): Today I have a warning—$1 trillion. That was the net worth of billionaires at Donald Trump's inauguration. Billionaires put in charge of key government departments....
- Robinson, Mr Alan (1 speech)
After 58 years as a volunteer with the RFS, Deputy Captain Alan Robinson AFSM is heading into a well-earned retirement. Alan joined the New South Wales bushfire brigades in 1967, at the age of...
- Fisher Electorate: Infrastructure (1 speech)
I've made building better roads and rail a priority since my election in 2016 so that families like mine can get home sooner and safer. I've fought to upgrade local roads, like Beerburrum Street...
- St John Ambulance Service Medal (1 speech)
This place would know of the outstanding work that St John Ambulance and its volunteers undertake in our community. St John Ambulance is a global organisation with a history dating back more than...
- Middle East: Occupied Palestinian Territories (1 speech)
For tawdry domestic political reasons, the government has trashed two decades of bipartisanship on policy towards the recognition of a Palestinian state. This is shameful. For more than 20 years,...
- Coalition (1 speech)
There is no such thing as a free lunch. Somebody always pays, and, if it's up to the Leader of the Opposition, it will be every single Australian taxpayer. I know the opposition leader isn't big...
- Victoria: Bushfires (1 speech)
I rise to speak on our first sitting day of 2025 about the bushfires that are burning across my electorate of Mallee. Sadly, I have fires south of Kaniva and Nhill and still in the Grampians...
- Cost of Living (1 speech)
Good governments deliver change from the ground up. On this side of the House we know that everyday Aussies are doing it tough. That's why, when a good government—a Labor...
- Handa Opera at Millthorpe, Craven Creek Music Festival (1 speech)
At Easter this year there will be a three-day opera festival in the New South Wales country town of Millthorpe, near Orange. It's being put together by Lyndon Terracini, who was formerly the...
- Economy (2 speeches)
There was once a fable of a king who sought advice from his economic advisers. The original advice came in at 87 volumes of 600 pages each. Understandably, he asked for simpler advice, executing...
- South Coast Marine Park (1 speech)
I rise to address a scandalous claim by WA Premier Roger Cook that I lied about the widespread fishing bans of his contentious South Coast Marine Park. On 24 January Mr Cook slandered me during...
- Leader of the Opposition (1 speech)
The Leader of the Opposition has had all summer to think up something to help families with the cost of living, because he's opposed all the measures we've introduced—opposed $300 energy...
- Australian Defence Force (1 speech)
Like so many in this place, I wasn't born here but I learnt some truths about our sacred stories. There is no more important sacred story than the war memorial up the road, and it was appropriate...
- Taxation (2 speeches)
When Australia's lowest paid workers asked for a $1 pay rise, our Prime Minister said, 'Absolutely.' When aged-care workers asked for a pay rise, did we back them? Absolutely. When early...
- Condolences (0 speeches)
- Sercombe, Mr Robert Charles Grant (Bob) (1 speech)
I inform the House of the death on 12 January 2025 of Robert Charles Grant Sercombe, a member of this House for the division of Maribyrnong from 1996 to 2007. As a mark of respect for the memory...
- Statement by the Speaker (0 speeches)
- North Queensland: Floods (3 speeches)
I inform the House that the member for Kennedy has been prevented from joining us today by the floods in North Queensland. These devastating floods are record breaking and are set to become the...
- Ministry (0 speeches)
- Presentation (1 speech)
I present a revised ministry list that includes the changes to the ministry made by the Governor-General on 20 January and new representative arrangements. I understand the document will be...
- Shadow Ministry (0 speeches)
- Presentation (1 speech)
For the information of honourable members, I table a revised shadow ministry list reflecting changes announced on 25 January 2025.
- Questions without Notice (0 speeches)
- Albanese Government (9 speeches)
My question is to the Prime Minister. Under this weak Albanese Labor government, interest rates have increased 12 times, energy bills have risen by $1,000, living standards have collapsed, 27,000...
- Economy (2 speeches)
My question is to the Treasurer. How is the Albanese Labor government's responsible economic management helping in the fight against inflation, and are there any approaches that would leave...
- Taxation (20 speeches)
My question is to the Treasurer. Treasurer, unlike small businesses, big businesses like Coles, Woolworths and Qantas can cater in house, in their corporate boardrooms, and do so as a tax...
- Labor Government (2 speeches)
My question is to the Prime Minister. What work is the Labor government doing to address the challenges of today while working to continue to build for the future? Are there any alternative...
- Taxation, Health Care (2 speeches)
My question is to the Prime Minister. One in three big corporations in this country pays no tax—$0 tax. But meanwhile, people can't afford basics like going to the dentist. Why does a nurse...
- Distinguished Visitors (0 speeches)
- Questions without Notice (0 speeches)
- Student Debt (8 speeches)
My question is to the Minister for Education. What is the Albanese Labor government doing to cut student debt? What has been the response to these reforms? Are there approaches that would leave...
- Taxation (9 speeches)
My question is to the Treasurer. Treasurer, a large company can cater for a lunch with food and alcohol worth thousands of dollars in its boardroom and can claim that cost as a tax deduction....
- Medicare (2 speeches)
My question is to the Minister for Health and Aged Care. How are Medicare urgent care clinics making it easier for Australians to see a doctor after a decade of cuts and neglect? What proposals...
- Cost of Living (12 speeches)
My question is to the Prime Minister. Prime Minister, by what percentage has the cost of food increased since the election of the Albanese Labor government?
- Employment: Remuneration (2 speeches)
My question is to the Minister representing the Minister for Employment and Workplace Relations. What does recent evidence show about how Albanese Labor governments wage increases are helping...
- Cost of Living (7 speeches)
My question is to the Prime Minister. Under this bad Labor government, Australians living standards have collapsed by 8.7 per cent. This is the biggest collapse on record and bigger than any...
- Education: Medicine (2 speeches)
My question's to the Minister for Education. Between June 2022 and June 2024 the Australian population increased by 1.19 million, 4.4 per cent. Over that time, Commonwealth supported places for...
- Aged Care (2 speeches)
SCRYMGOUR () (): My question is to the Minister for Aged Care and Minister for Sport. How do the Albanese Labor government's investments help aged-care workers earn more and keep more of what...
- National Security (6 speeches)
My question is to the Prime Minister. On what date was the Prime Minister first advised of the planned mass casualty terror attack against Sydney's Jewish community?
- Vocational Education and Training (7 speeches)
My question is to the Minister for Skills and Training. How has the Albanese Labor government made training—
- Climate Change (2 speeches)
My question is to the Prime Minister. You spoke earlier of the Queensland floods. We're seeing, yet again, the impacts and escalating risk of the climate crisis. Over in the US, the damage from...
- Energy (9 speeches)
My question is to the Minister for Climate Change and Energy. How is the Albanese Labor government helping families to lower their energy bills, and what policies would make families worse off?
- Business Innovation and Investment Program (18 speeches)
My question is to the Minister for Home Affairs. Why did the Albanese Labor government abolish the 'golden ticket' visa? Is the minister aware of proposals that would undermine the integrity of...
- Questions without Notice: Additional Answers (0 speeches)
- Questions to the Speaker (0 speeches)
- Questions in Writing (2 speeches)
Mr Speaker, in accordance with standing order 105(b), I wish draw your attention to multiple overdue questions in writing: questions 753, 754, 755 and 765. Can I ask that you write to the...
- Documents (0 speeches)
- Parliamentary Budget Office; Presentation (1 speech)
Pursuant to section 65 of the Parliamentary Service Act 1999, I present the annual report of the Parliamentary Budget Office for 2023-24. Document made a parliamentary paper.
- Auditor-General's Reports (0 speeches)
- Reports Nos 15 to 21 of 2024-25 (1 speech)
I present the Auditor-General's audit reports Nos. 15 to 21 for 2024 to 2025. 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.
- Matters of Public Importance (0 speeches)
- Cost of Living (14 speeches)
I have received a letter from the honourable member for Hume proposing that a definite matter of public importance be submitted to the House for discussion, namely: The collapse in Australia's...
- Bills (0 speeches)
- Business (0 speeches)
- Suspension of Standing and Sessional Orders (1 speech)
I move: That so much of the standing and sessional orders be suspended as would prevent standing order 133 from recommencing in operation. Earlier this day, the Leader of the House suspended the...
- Committees (0 speeches)
- Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade Joint Committee; Report (2 speeches)
On behalf of the Joint Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade, and as chair of the human right subcommittee, I present the committee's report on the inquiry into Australia's...
- Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade Joint Committee; Reference to Federation Chamber (1 speech)
I move: That the order of the day be referred to the Federation Chamber for debate. Question agreed to.
- Public Accounts and Audit Joint Committee; Report (2 speeches)
On behalf of the Joint Standing Committee on Public Accounts and Audit, I present the following reports: Report 507: Defence 2022-23 major projects report and Report 508: annual report 2023-24....
- Public Accounts and Audit Joint Committee; Reference to Federation Chamber (1 speech)
I move: That the orders of the day be referred to the Federation Chamber for debate. Question agreed to.
- Public Accounts and Audit Joint Committee (1 speech)
by leave—I present executive minutes on reports Nos 475, 489, 495, 498, 502, 503, 504 and 506 of the Joint Committee of Public Accounts and Audit.
- Trade and Investment Growth Joint Committee; Report (1 speech)
GEORGANAS () (): On behalf of the Joint Standing Committee on Trade and Investment Growth, I present the committee's Interim report: inquiry into the understanding and utilisation of benefits...
- Corporations and Financial Services Joint Committee; Report (1 speech)
On behalf of the Parliamentary Joint Committee on Corporations and Financial Services, I present the committee's report, incorporating a dissenting report, entitled Financial abuse: an insidious...
- Delegation Reports (0 speeches)
- Bills (0 speeches)
- Free TAFE Bill 2024; Second Reading (10 speeches)
I rise in support of this bill, the Free TAFE Bill 2024—legislation that makes free TAFE permanent. It's semester 1 of TAFE in New South Wales, when new TAFE students are starting and...
- Adjournment (0 speeches)
- Small Business: Taxation (1 speech)
This week I announced my new company tax policy to provide relief for our small business community—a company tax cut for small business in the form of a tax-free threshold of $20,000....
- Bendigo Electorate: Albanese Government (1 speech)
It's been a great summer in central Victoria and in the Bendigo electorate. We've had a number of great funding announcements for awesome projects through January, and I want to take a moment to...
- Forde Electorate: Australia Day (1 speech)
It's been more than a week since Australia Day passed, but this is a great opportunity to not only talk about how important Australia Day is to the electorate of Forde and to recognise what a...
- Hunter Electorate: Australia Day Honours (1 speech)
I rise to recognise some extraordinary people who live in the Hunter who were rightly recognised on Australia Day for their incredible contributions to our community and our nation. Gerard...
- Wannon Electorate: Community Infrastructure, Victoria: Bushfires (1 speech)
Facts matter in politics. We had the Parliamentary Library look at the facts around grant funding for the electorate of Wannon. Since 2016, we've had $694 million worth of grant funding. That is...
- Economy (1 speech)
When Australians put their trust in the Albanese Labor government they backed a vision for a stronger, fairer economy, one that delivers for working people, businesses and communities alike. In...
- Constituency Statements (0 speeches)
- Fadden Electorate: Runaway Bay, Shattock, Mr Aaron, Queensland: Floods (1 speech)
Today I rise to speak on one of the iconic suburbs within my electorate of Fadden, Runaway Bay. Many people on the Gold Coast will be well aware of the iconic nature of this suburb. It's reached...
- Western Australia: Environment (1 speech)
Since 1985 the Bassendean Preservation Group has been at the head of efforts to preserve, protect and rejuvenate the Ashfield Flats. They have long understood that this is a critical area, over...
- Calare Electorate: Australia Day Honours and Awards (1 speech)
Right around the Central West of New South Wales, Australia Day celebrations were held with great pride. While I couldn't get to every Australia Day event in the Calare electorate, I attended...
- Education, Aston Electorate: Lunar New Year, Medicare: 41st Anniversary (1 speech)
It's a privilege to be back here in Canberra for the start of a new sitting year. Over the break I have had the great pleasure of being out in the community, hearing from any of my constituents...
- Victoria State Election, Western Australia State Election, Albanese Government (1 speech)
Smalltown Australia needs bigger voices than ever before, and in Bendigo we have Andrew Lethlean, who is fighting for a fair go for his community after years of neglect by the Albanese Labor...
- Shortland Electorate: Health Care (1 speech)
I'm pleased to provide an update on how the Albanese government is improving the health outcomes of people in my community. One of the biggest challenges people in my region face, which is linked...
- Banks Electorate: Community Services (1 speech)
Milperra Lions Soccer Club was formed back in 1958, and, during that time, it has become an absolutely essential part of the Milperra community. It was great to meet at the clubhouse recently...
- Liberal-National Coalition (1 speech)
I rise today to point out the risk that the opposition leader and the Liberals and Nationals pose to my electorate on the New South Wales North Coast and, indeed, right throughout the nation. The...
- Labor Government, Regional Australia: Infrastructure (1 speech)
We've just endured an hour and a half of this hapless, hopeless Prime Minister and his merry bunch of men and women telling us how lucky we are to have suffered them for the past three years, how...
- Sri Lanka, Perera, Mr Jude (2 speeches)
Seventy-seven years ago today, the country of my birth, Sri Lanka, gained its independence from Britain. It was a moment of great pride for Sri Lankans, marking the end of more than four...
- Business (0 speeches)
- Rearrangement (1 speech)
I move: That government business orders of the day Nos 1 and 2 be postponed until a later hour this day. Question agreed to.
- Bills (0 speeches)
- Grievance Debate (0 speeches)
- Taxation: Resources Industry, Housing, Banking and Financial Services (1 speech)
Something is terribly wrong when a nurse is paying more tax than a multinational gas corporation. In fact, in the last four years, big multinational gas corporations have paid $0 in royalties on...
- Australian Society: Social Cohesion (2 speeches)
What I wanted to raise tonight has been raised today in this parliament already, and it is about social cohesion. Probably a better way to say that, in my view, is social harmony. The member for...
- Macnamara Electorate: Midsumma Pride March, Gender and Sexual Orientation, Child Care, Macnamara Electorate: Infrastructure (1 speech)
Strap yourselves in folks, because the electorate of Macnamara is such a wonderful electorate, and am I going to take you on a journey around Macnamara! Am I going to take you on a journey around...
- Shanahan, Miss Elizabeth Ann (2 speeches)
Taking linguistic licence on the grievance debate tonight, please bear with me as I explore the grief in grievance and talk about the loss of my dear old mum over this past summer break. My mum,...
- Asylum Seekers, Albanese Government (2 speeches)
Family is everything. It is the foundation of our lives, our communities and our future. Labor understands this. That's why family must be at the heart of everything we do as a government,...
