Chris Hayes's recent appearances (OpenAustralia.org)
type: channel
language: en-gb
creator: OpenAustralia.org, mprss.php script
date: 2022-07-06T23:05:39+00:00
items: Valedictory | Parliamentary Representation | House debates
items: Mitochondrial Donation Law Reform (Maeve's Law) Bill 2021; Consideration in Detail | Bills | House debates
items: Mitochondrial Donation Law Reform (Maeve’s Law) Bill 2021; Second Reading | Bills | House debates
items: Mitochondrial Donation Law Reform (Maeve's Law) Bill 2021; Second Reading | Bills | House debates
items: Tran, Mr Huy | Statements by Members | House debates
items: Youth Voice in Parliament Week | Statements by Members | House debates
items: Death Penalty, Cook, Mr Luke | Adjournment | House debates
items: International Day of Solidarity with the Palestinian People | Private Members' Business | House debates
items: Afghanistan | Constituency Statements | House debates
items: Aged Care and Other Legislation Amendment (Royal Commission Response No. 2) Bill 2021; Second Reading | Bills | House debates
items: Youth Voice In Parliament Week | Statements by Members | House debates
items: Spinal Muscular Atrophy | Motions | House debates
items: COVID-19: Vaccination | Questions without Notice | House debates
items: Gallacher, Senator Alexander McEachian (Alex) | Condolences | House debates
items: National Police Remembrance Day | Motions | House debates
items: COVID-19: Hospitals | Questions without Notice | House debates
items: COVID-19: Education | Statements by Members | House debates
items: Afghanistan | Motions | House debates
items: National Disability Insurance Scheme Amendment (Improving Supports for At Risk Participants) Bill 2021; Second Reading | Bills | House debates

Valedictory | Parliamentary Representation | House debates
type: item
description: Thankfully, the Speaker's not joining in that condemnation, being another fellow motorcyclist! Warren and I are probably destined to grow old disgracefully! To the Leader of the Opposition,...
encoded: Thankfully, the Speaker's not joining in that condemnation, being another fellow motorcyclist! Warren and I are probably destined to grow old disgracefully! To the Leader of the Opposition, Anthony Albanese, who will be the next Prime Minister of this country: it's been an absolute privilege to serve your team as chief whip. I look forward to the next chapter of your life and that of all our Labor colleagues here—namely, to chart the future direction of this country. Australia needs a Labor government to restore fairness in the community and prosperity in our economic outlook. To all those loyal ALP branch members who have supported me throughout my career: I can never repay that debt. But, sadly, we've lost a few along the way. Ted Wale, for instance, at 107, was the oldest living member of the Labor Party. His passing, along with that of his son Alan, was a tremendous loss to our Cabramatta branch. More recently was the passing of Huy Tran, one of the first Vietnamese people I met on coming to Fowler. At the age of 45, he was taken far too early. An old union mate of mine, Digby Young: not only did we work together in the AWU but he was a tireless supporter and campaigner for me in every election in Fowler. To the clerks, the Serjeant-at-Arms and their staff, who have always been so professional and proper in their dealings with me; Luch and all the attendants; Joy our cleaner; our COMCAR drivers; and all who've made my time here more comfortable: thank you. Also, a special thanks to the staff of the Parliamentary Library. Apart from research, they've certainly kept me in novels, which I share with my mother. Notwithstanding the pandemic, there are probably two areas which I'd like to highlight that occurred within the last 12 months which have been quite significant—if you like, a high point, at least for me. Recently working with the Capital Punishment Justice Project team we submitted an amicus brief to the Supreme Court of Thailand for an Australian citizen wh…
date: 2021-12-02T09:31:00+00:00

Valedictory | Parliamentary Representation | House debates
type: item
description: on indulgence—Mr Speaker, this is my first opportunity to congratulate you. I would also like to acknowledge the traditional custodians of the land and the many nations that make up this...
encoded: on indulgence—Mr Speaker, this is my first opportunity to congratulate you. I would also like to acknowledge the traditional custodians of the land and the many nations that make up this great country of ours, Australia. I acknowledge their elders past and present, and also acknowledge their work in their conservation and care of this great country. I believe there's still much to be learnt from their practices and traditions. I remember standing here giving my first speech, full of emotion and pride. In 17 years it seems little has changed, except electorates. Just to answer some people: no, I haven't changed my mind—I'm still going. Bernadette is still up there in the gallery to make sure I don't recant! From Werriwa, where I was first elected in a by-election, where Bernadette and I raised our family and were both pretty engaged in our communities, I transferred, because of party interests, to the seat of Fowler. When I got here, it was an eye-opener for me. Not only was I representing one of the most multicultural electorates in the whole of Australia; they had a vastly different expectation of me as their member. This multicultural community wanted me to be their voice on matters of human rights, particularly in respect of violations that occurred in countries of their respective diasporas. With the assistance of my local community and with my long association with Human Rights Watch and Amnesty International, I have spoken regularly, as everyone here knows, on matters of human rights not only in this place but also in various community and academic forums. After parliament, I intend to continue my work with the human rights community as well as with the Capital Punishment Justice Project. As most would be aware, I am a convenor of Australian Parliamentarians against the Death Penalty, and have been since 2005. I also intend to continue my association with the Police Federation of Australia. I think it's pretty common knowledge that my office has been well-know…
date: 2021-12-02T09:31:00+00:00

Mitochondrial Donation Law Reform (Maeve's Law) Bill 2021; Consideration in Detail | Bills | House debates
type: item
description: ES (—) (): I want to indicate my support for the amendment. I thank everybody who's participated in this debate. I think it's been held and conducted in a way that brings great credit to...
encoded: ES (—) (): I want to indicate my support for the amendment. I thank everybody who's participated in this debate. I think it's been held and conducted in a way that brings great credit to this House. I, like many, was very disappointed, at the outset of the whole debate on mitochondrial donation, to be simply advised that we can't get any information about the progress of this research that has been going on since 2015 in the United Kingdom. We're prevented from having any access to that on privacy grounds. That means that we must now start from ground zero in starting to look at all these issues. It takes me back a little bit. Those of us who were around the House in 2006 will remember that we had the therapeutic cloning legislation being debated here. The big aspect then—and there was a lot of hype, I must say, associated with it—was the demand for embryonic stem cell research. All of these potential benefits were being discussed pretty openly by politicians—that's what we are—and not necessarily by all the researchers, other than those who ran the various research laboratories. Some laboratories specialise in embryonic stem cell research, while others specialise in adult stem cell research. Since 2006, the great gains for humanity have come out of the adult stem cell research. Does that mean we're setting up research facilities just to experiment to see what happens? Surely, if the UK were making progress, there would be something that we would know about it. I know that a lot of our research scientists are getting very excited about these techniques. The other thing I wanted to say is that what I said about embryos in 2006 is that embryos should be afforded the same respect from the moment of creation, regardless of the method, intention and age. I've got to say that remains my position now, but my position could be internally challenged on my part if it could be shown that there are overwhelming benefits to humanity. Yet there's no information out there, so ther…
date: 2021-12-01T17:20:00+00:00

Mitochondrial Donation Law Reform (Maeve’s Law) Bill 2021; Second Reading | Bills | House debates
type: item
description: I am in continuation. Given that this bill is modelled on the legislation introduced in the United Kingdom, it's worth looking at what progress has been made in the six years it has been in...
encoded: I am in continuation. Given that this bill is modelled on the legislation introduced in the United Kingdom, it's worth looking at what progress has been made in the six years it has been in operation. As I understand, only one clinic in the UK has been authorised to conduct research into mitochondrial donation technology, and 21 couples have received treatment. However, I am advised that, due to privacy reasons, we cannot be provided with any information as to the outcomes of these cases. I find that absolutely extraordinary, given that we have been invited to pass legislation based on the UK model itself. I don't expect the names, the ages or the locations of people, but information as to how many viable pregnancies and births have resulted from mitochondrial donation or how many embryos have had to be destroyed to achieve the favoured result would be understandably useful information in considering arguments on advancing these technologies. But there is none. The only reports of successful births as a result of mitochondrial donation procedure have come out of Mexico and, of all places, the Ukraine. Neither of these countries has explicitly legalised the procedure. There are no reports in the Lancet, and, as I understand it, they are not considered as legitimate examples by any international medical research authority. I note the United States has prohibited clinical trials into mitochondrial donation on the grounds that it constitutes genome editing and, as such, presents an unacceptable risk. Similarly the World Health Organization has indicated its opposition to making modifications to the genetic code in humans capable of being passed on to future generations. Therefore we have no compelling information as to the types of methods that have been used in these British cases, and little or nothing about the success or otherwise as to the methods being an assistive reproductive technology. Particularly when the procedures necessitate the destruction of embryos, si…
date: 2021-11-29T19:30:00+00:00

Mitochondrial Donation Law Reform (Maeve's Law) Bill 2021; Second Reading | Bills | House debates
type: item
description: I would like to respectfully make a contribution to the debate on the Mitochondrial Donation Law Reform (Maeve's Law) Bill 2021. From the outset, I'd like to say I'm not trying to approach this...
encoded: I would like to respectfully make a contribution to the debate on the Mitochondrial Donation Law Reform (Maeve's Law) Bill 2021. From the outset, I'd like to say I'm not trying to approach this from any moral or religious perspective. I believe that, as legislators, we must consider the perceived benefits and risks associated with the proposed methods of mitochondrial donation. But we must also consider and weigh them against our obligations in terms of ethical perspective. There is no doubt that, for some Australians, the risk of passing on mitochondrial disease is far too high. It can prevent women from having healthy children. Understandably, women facing this prospect would look at any feasible approaches to lessen that risk. As with any pregnancy, I think it would be every parent's fervent hope and prayer that they would have a healthy child. Regrettably, at the moment, almost one child a week—somewhere between 50 and 60 children each year—is born with a mitochondrial disease in this country. Sadly, the prognosis for those children is not great. The fact is that most will die within the first five years of life. On those young people: I know I will be followed by the member for Macarthur, Dr Freelander, who has on a number of occasions treated young patients suffering from a mitochondrial disease, which he will inform the House about. Others living with this disease will have a lower life expectancy and can suffer a wide range of debilitating symptoms, including loss of hearing and vision, multiple organ failure and heart problems. Clearly, this is something that should concern all of us. I agree with so many in this place that there must be an ethical and sustainable way of mitigating these risks, and that there is a need for a pathway for women living with mitochondrial disease to have children without the fear of passing on this debilitating disease. As legislators, we must balance what are seen as the possible benefits to humanity with the extent to which w…
date: 2021-11-25T16:19:00+00:00

Tran, Mr Huy | Statements by Members | House debates
type: item
description: I rise to speak of the tragic death last week of Huy Tran, a long-term member of the Cabramatta branch of the Labor Party. Huy was one of the first Vietnamese people I met. He welcomed me to the...
encoded: I rise to speak of the tragic death last week of Huy Tran, a long-term member of the Cabramatta branch of the Labor Party. Huy was one of the first Vietnamese people I met. He welcomed me to the community when I became the member for Fowler. At just 45 years of age, Huy's unexpected death was a surprise to all of us and was such a tragic loss to his family and friends. Huy was a good friend to me. He was a political colleague totally committed to the values of Labor. He was a corporal in the Australian Army Reserve and was also highly regarded by his colleagues at Western Sydney University. Huy was always active in and a strong contributor to my election campaigns. As a long-term resident of Carramar, he was an impressive advocate for the needs of the community and was never afraid to raise matters of local importance. Huy also spoke regularly with me about issues of human rights in Vietnam, and clearly he was a champion of diversity and multiculturalism in our community. Above all, he was a proud family man. His joy was in his wife, Mai Le, and his two children, Vi and Nam. Huy will be deeply missed by his parents, his family and his friends, as well as our diverse community of Western Sydney and particularly those of us in the Labor Party. May he rest in peace.
date: 2021-10-27T13:36:00+00:00

Youth Voice in Parliament Week | Statements by Members | House debates
type: item
description: Sonja is a young constituent in my electorate who joined the Youth Voice in Parliament Week campaign, raising awareness of the need for better access to domestic violence services in our...
encoded: Sonja is a young constituent in my electorate who joined the Youth Voice in Parliament Week campaign, raising awareness of the need for better access to domestic violence services in our community. Sonja says: It is unequivocal that adequate protection and support is provided to young people fleeing domestic violence. No person should be punished for fleeing their abuser by becoming homeless. She goes on to say: We must break the intergenerational cycles of abuse and trauma that have become an everyday reality for so many and replace this with opportunities and an optimistic future for survivors. One woman is killed every 9 days by a partner. So why do women still lack access to adequate domestic violence support services? In 2020, the number of police recorded victims of family and domestic violence related sexual assault increased by 13%. This national crisis is detrimental to community wellbeing and has been going on for too long, disproportionately affecting women and those with a disability or ATSI background. In 20 years, I hope to see Australia as a place where everyone lives a life of safety and security, where justice is ensured for survivors and where the duty to protect our citizens from violence is upheld.
date: 2021-10-25T16:40:00+00:00

Death Penalty, Cook, Mr Luke | Adjournment | House debates
type: item
description: On 10 October we commemorated World Day Against the Death Penalty. On that day we as a nation and concerned members of the international community reaffirmed our commitment to the ultimate...
encoded: On 10 October we commemorated World Day Against the Death Penalty. On that day we as a nation and concerned members of the international community reaffirmed our commitment to the ultimate pursuit of a world free of the death penalty. As I've expressed in this place on many occasions, I believe capital punishment is the cruellest and most inhumane response to crime. My opposition to capital punishment is universal, and it's not just when Australian lives are at stake. The death penalty is invariably associated with the miscarriage of justice, the inevitable consequence being the execution of innocents and the disproportionate execution of the poor and of ethnic and religious minorities. Clearly, no legal system is free of error, but the death penalty is irreversible. As long as the death penalty exists innocent people will be executed. To this end, I'd like to draw the attention of the House to a very significant outcome that was reached only last month with respect to an Australian national, Mr Luke Cook. Mr Cook was arrested and sentenced to death in Thailand after being convicted of drug related crimes. On appeal, Mr Cook fortunately not only escaped the death penalty but also had all charges against him withdrawn. Mr Cook, happily, now has returned to Australia. I'm pleased to have worked on Mr Cook's matter together with Senator Dean Smith, my fellow Co-chair of Australian Parliamentarians Against the Death Penalty, engaging all diplomatic efforts to reach a positive outcome in this case. I specifically want to also acknowledge the tremendous work of the Capital Punishment Justice Project, and in particular acknowledge the commitment and dedication of Australian lawyers Simone Abel, Sarah Kowal and Stephen Keim SC. They were instrumental in providing effective legal representation of Mr Cook and in preparing an amicus brief to assist the court, which certainly provided a determining factor in this matter. The Capital Punishment Justice Project undertakes signif…
date: 2021-10-25T19:50:00+00:00

International Day of Solidarity with the Palestinian People | Private Members' Business | House debates
type: item
description: I move: That this House: (1) notes that 29 November 2021 is the International Day of Solidarity with the Palestinian People as declared by the United Nations in 1977; (2) recognises the...
encoded: I move: That this House: (1) notes that 29 November 2021 is the International Day of Solidarity with the Palestinian People as declared by the United Nations in 1977; (2) recognises the inalienable rights of the Palestinian people, including their right to self determination and a future built on peace, dignity, justice and security; (3) acknowledges the obstacles to the ongoing peace process, particularly the need for urgent action on issues such as settlements, Jerusalem, the Gaza blockade and the humanitarian situation in the occupied Palestinian territories; (4) further recognises that the ongoing humanitarian situation in Palestine is far-reaching, with many in the Australian community affected by this ongoing conflict; and (5) calls on the Government to ensure Australia is working constructively to support security and human rights in Palestine, in advance of a just and enduring two-state solution in the Middle East. As we approach 29 November, I take the opportunity to reaffirm our commitment to the Palestinian people and stand united in their struggle for self-determination. When the Oslo agreements were drafted in 1993, they were intended to give the Palestinian people autonomy. However, 28 years later the military occupation continues to control the lives of Palestinians and their access to the basic necessities of life, including the vital water supply. Under the Oslo agreements, Israel retains exclusive control over almost all the water resources. The agreements allocate 80 per cent of the mountain aquifer water to Israeli use and 20 per cent to the Palestinians. Apart from the human rights implications that arise, it is quite concerning given that over the last 28 years the Palestinian population of the occupied West Bank has nearly doubled. Due to these restrictions, the Palestinian authority is forced to purchase significant water supply from Mekorot, Israel's national water company. This issue is further complicated by the very poor Palestinian water…
date: 2021-10-25T11:52:00+00:00

Afghanistan | Constituency Statements | House debates
type: item
description: Over the past few months, the situation in Kabul and across Afghanistan has been deteriorating rapidly. While the Taliban promised stability and security, what we've seen is the dismantling of...
encoded: Over the past few months, the situation in Kabul and across Afghanistan has been deteriorating rapidly. While the Taliban promised stability and security, what we've seen is the dismantling of our efforts over a 20-year fight against terrorism. Our support for freedom and democracy and a better future for all Afghans, particularly women and children. Our priority must be to ensure the safe departure of visa holders and the resettlement of those Afghans who have supported Australian and allied forces' efforts in the conflict. This is not only a moral obligation but a legal obligation in terms of adhering to the various human rights commitments that we have in international law. Following the resurgence of the Taliban, I was contacted by Brad Parker, CEO of MATES in Construction, on behalf of a constituent regarding the Salehi family, whose father and brother provided support to the allied forces throughout the Afghan conflict. The situation was grave for this family, following a formal directive from the Taliban ordering their deaths—not only of the two men but of their families. Fortunately, the family were granted a humanitarian 449 visa and has now arrived safely in Australia. This would not have been possible without the efforts of Minister Alex Hawke and his staff. I'll mention particularly Ross MacDonald, and Grace Le in my office. As a matter of urgency, we all convened in Parliament House at 11 pm one night to help secure visas for this family. I also acknowledge the ongoing efforts from the minister's office to arrange flights to Australia for this family. As it turned out, this was particularly challenging given the issues at Kabul airport, as well as the fact that this family was caught in the middle of the ISIS bombing that occurred. Luckily, the Salehi family were able to cross the border into Pakistan and flew to Australia on a military flight from Islamabad. Sadly, however, this is only one of many cases, but it nevertheless highlights the real need of…
date: 2021-10-21T10:53:00+00:00

Aged Care and Other Legislation Amendment (Royal Commission Response No. 2) Bill 2021; Second Reading | Bills | House debates
type: item
description: I too would like to make a contribution to this debate on the Aged Care and Other Legislation Amendment (Royal Commission Response No. 2) Bill 2021. I would just note that this bill is the second...
encoded: I too would like to make a contribution to this debate on the Aged Care and Other Legislation Amendment (Royal Commission Response No. 2) Bill 2021. I would just note that this bill is the second response to the royal commission's recommendations. Those of us who were in the parliament will recall the way that the minister treated call after call from Labor for a royal commission into aged care. The minister of the day actually said that that would effectively be elder abuse. Since then a litany of issues have been explored and evidence given—some hair-raising stuff for anyone who might care to put their loved ones into aged care. There are 151 electorates represented in this chamber. Every one of us has a concern about looking after aged care. We all have a concern about looking after the vulnerable. Yet, of the 148 recommendations made by the royal commission, just a little over half were actually addressed by this government. The royal commission cost $200 million—not an insignificant amount—and the government, who were dragged kicking and screaming to have a royal commission and then wanted to try to take credit for it, are only partially dealing with the recommendations of that royal commission. I would have thought that the alarm bells would have been ringing once the commission delivered their interim report, with the one-word title of Neglect. But, with respect, the royal commission had a bit of a head start on this. After the government, under then Treasurer Morrison, took up to $2 billion out of the system, there have been 21 reports into aged care, all of which have been ignored. But, getting back to the fact that what we in this place are supposed to be doing here is looking after our people and that in all of our electorates—and I don't think that mine is different to anyone else's—there is an ageing population, this should be front and centre to what we are doing here as elected members of this place in looking after the vulnerable in our community. Bu…
date: 2021-10-21T13:11:00+00:00

Youth Voice In Parliament Week | Statements by Members | House debates
type: item
description: Helen is a 16-year-old young woman living in my electorate. Tragically, she is living with a disability. She is also part of the Youth Voice in Parliament campaign, and she has shared with me her...
encoded: Helen is a 16-year-old young woman living in my electorate. Tragically, she is living with a disability. She is also part of the Youth Voice in Parliament campaign, and she has shared with me her hopes for what Australia will look like in 20 years. Helen says: Today there are very limited options when it comes to education in Australia for disabled, neurodiverse, mentally ill, and chronically ill children. The best option at the moment is schools like Sydney Distance Education High School, where students complete their work online and can attend learning hubs 1-2 days a week. We attend this school because we can't attend a traditional school and often spend a lot of time at home, but we still want to go to school and interact with our classmates and teacher as often as we can. I am hoping that these schools will receive a lot more funding to truly meet the needs of students and that there will be more schools with learning hubs all over Sydney, so students can attend the same hub daily and build friendships. I hope these changes can be made so that future students can receive a good education without having to be isolated. Students like us need access to schools where we can thrive and do well. Thank you, Helen, for raising your voice in this parliament on such a critical issue. We should be doing everything we can to support disabled people.
date: 2021-10-19T13:36:00+00:00

Spinal Muscular Atrophy | Motions | House debates
type: item
description: I second the motion. I thank the member for Bonner not only for bringing this motion before us but also for his ongoing advocacy in respect of spinal muscular atrophy. Looking back to August,...
encoded: I second the motion. I thank the member for Bonner not only for bringing this motion before us but also for his ongoing advocacy in respect of spinal muscular atrophy. Looking back to August, that is the month when we recognise SMA. Not just is this a debilitating disease; it is a killer disease. It is the leading genetic killer of infants under the age of two in this country. To put the matter in greater perspective, one in 6,000 babies are born with SMA. SMA is a rare motor neurone disease that causes progressive deterioration of the motor neurons, the spinal cord and the muscles surrounding the area, like those affecting the neck, the trunk, the arms and the legs. They are the muscles that control posture and movement and the respiratory muscles which control the breathing. Over time, coughing becomes very difficult. As a matter of fact, the inability to cough is one of the significant aspects of SMA that causes the death of children suffering from the disease. Alarmingly, SMA occurs not only in children but also in adults. Many experience the late onset of this disease, particularly types 2, 3 and 4, and it has absolutely life-changing aspects. For many individuals impacted by SMA, the symptoms may develop as early as at three months of age, yet for others who are mildly affected by types 2, 3 and 4 the disease may not be visible until they are in late childhood or even, as I said, early adulthood. Sadly, children with type 1 SMA usually do not live beyond their second birthday. Another statistic that it is worth acknowledging, given the importance of ongoing engagement with and awareness of the condition, is that one in 35 Australian adults carry the regressive gene that causes SMA, and most people are simply unaware of it. What that means is that, if one person is a carrier of this defective gene and has a child with another who is similarly a carrier of the gene, they have a one-in-four chance of having a child born with SMA. This is a statistic that should b…
date: 2021-10-18T11:00:00+00:00

COVID-19: Vaccination | Questions without Notice | House debates
type: item
description: My question is to the Prime Minister. The Prime Minister has said, 'Ultimately, everything is a state matter.' Was it the states or was it the Prime Minister who falsely claimed that Australia...
encoded: My question is to the Prime Minister. The Prime Minister has said, 'Ultimately, everything is a state matter.' Was it the states or was it the Prime Minister who falsely claimed that Australia was at the forefront of the vaccine queue?
date: 2021-09-02T15:17:00+00:00

Gallacher, Senator Alexander McEachian (Alex) | Condolences | House debates
type: item
description: Alex Gallacher was a truck driver. He worked airside as part of the aircrew for TAA. He became a union organiser. Importantly, he was elected secretary of the South Australia/Northern Territory...
encoded: Alex Gallacher was a truck driver. He worked airside as part of the aircrew for TAA. He became a union organiser. Importantly, he was elected secretary of the South Australia/Northern Territory branch of the Transport Workers Union. In 2010 he became a senator of the Australian parliament, representing the great state of South Australia. That's a significant and telling curriculum vitae for a working-class man. He never lost sight of who he was and those he was determined to represent to the best of his ability. Alex was a committed Labor man and fiercely loyal to the people of South Australia. For those of us that knew him, I think the best words to describe him are that he was down to earth, genuine and direct. There was no pretence about him. He was honest. Those are words that would probably come to mind for all of us who have dealt with him. Alex's great mate is Senator Glenn Sterle. Together they formed a dynamic duo in our Labor caucus, particularly when it came to matters of road safety or matters affecting the road transport industry. They were passionate about those causes. Alex, as I said, was a working man in a workers' party. He was never slow to remind colleagues if he thought they were straying from what he saw were the key principles of the Labor Party and if we were slow to move to protect workers' rights. He was fiercely loyal to the party itself. He was a strong advocate for improving road safety and the conditions of the road transport industry. By the way, it's an industry which tragically has a fatality rate almost 10 times higher than the average of all other Australian industries, so clearly his passions were well directed in that respect. I remember he once addressed caucus and said words to this effect: 'Truck drivers work hard to make a living, but they shouldn't need to die to make a living.' His contribution was short, direct, considered, but always, always compelling. Alex didn't waste words. He didn't believe in long speeches. He simpl…
date: 2021-09-01T18:28:00+00:00

National Police Remembrance Day | Motions | House debates
type: item
description: I move: That this House: (1) notes that National Police Remembrance Day will be observed on 29 September 2021; (2) acknowledges the crucial role police officers across Australia play in our local...
encoded: I move: That this House: (1) notes that National Police Remembrance Day will be observed on 29 September 2021; (2) acknowledges the crucial role police officers across Australia play in our local communities and the tremendous risk and sacrifice that comes with their duty; (3) honours the lives and memories of those police officers who have made the ultimate sacrifice in the course of their duty and specifically this year honours, Senior Constable David Masters of the Queensland Police Service, who was killed while trying to intercept a stolen vehicle; (4) pays tribute to the families and friends of police officers who have been killed in the line of duty throughout our nation's history; (5) commends the valuable work of Police Legacy, who look after the loved ones of police officers who have fallen; and (6) reaffirms its support for the nation's police officers and honours their courage, commitment and dedication in ensuring the peace and safety of our communities. National Police Remembrance Day is observed on 29 September, the day of Saint Michael, the patron saint of all who defend against wrongdoing. This is one of the most significant days in the national police calendar. As a nation, we pause to remember the police officers who have lost their lives in the execution of their duty. We honour their courage and the commitment and the dedication of all police members who have sworn to protect our communities. Policing comes with a high degree of risk that thankfully most of us will never have to encounter. It takes a special type of person, I believe, with a special type of courage to wear the police uniform. We are forever indebted to those fine men and women who choose to do so and recognise their commitment to ensuring the peace, safety and wellbeing of our communities, a duty which we should never take for granted. Our safety and that of our families, the security of our homes and our businesses and indeed our democracy are all reliant on the enforcement of o…
date: 2021-08-30T11:11:00+00:00

COVID-19: Hospitals | Questions without Notice | House debates
type: item
description: My question is to the Prime Minister. Why are ambulances being forced to wait with COVID patients for hours on end, parked outside Sydney hospitals, because these hospitals are being overwhelmed?...
encoded: My question is to the Prime Minister. Why are ambulances being forced to wait with COVID patients for hours on end, parked outside Sydney hospitals, because these hospitals are being overwhelmed? What responsibility does the Prime Minister take for leaving our hospital system unprepared 18 months into this pandemic?
date: 2021-08-26T14:30:00+00:00

COVID-19: Education | Statements by Members | House debates
type: item
description: This year, 2021, has been an incredibly difficult year for Australians but particularly so for year 12 students, who have seen their final year of secondary education thrown into turmoil. Their...
encoded: This year, 2021, has been an incredibly difficult year for Australians but particularly so for year 12 students, who have seen their final year of secondary education thrown into turmoil. Their mental health and wellbeing has suffered due to the lack of face-to-face contact with their peers and their teachers. They are facing the very real prospect of their school achievements passing without formal recognition or graduation. My granddaughter Charlie is in year 12. She loves school, but remote learning has taken a toll on her as she tries to navigate learning in an isolated environment. These students know what the pandemic has robbed them of, while the New South Wales government still insists they sit a formal period of exams. The pandemic has changed the government's response to almost everything in our community, but not this year's HSC and the stress and the uncertainty this is causing students. It's time to rethink the validity of the HSC, particularly for this year, and its relevance to university entry. Given the absence of overseas students, our universities are not waiting for the HSC results but are offering more places through early entry provisions. I don't believe this year's HSC is a valid tool of the assessment, but the current level of uncertainty is certainly affecting the welfare of our students. It's time that the New South Wales government listened to our young people, their teachers and, indeed, nearly the entire education sector of New South Wales. (Time expired)
date: 2021-08-25T13:39:00+00:00

Afghanistan | Motions | House debates
type: item
description: It's clearly been heartbreaking to watch the distressing scenes coming out of Afghanistan, not only for the Afghan people but also for the international community as a whole. We must reflect on...
encoded: It's clearly been heartbreaking to watch the distressing scenes coming out of Afghanistan, not only for the Afghan people but also for the international community as a whole. We must reflect on what this means for Australians who are stranded in Afghanistan; Australians who have relatives in their homeland; Afghans who have worked with the Australian and allied military personnel during the conflict; the officials who have been caught up through, for example, humanitarian agencies; and, most of all, our veterans, who are no doubt feeling the absolute brutal cost of this 20-year-long mission. While this is not how we envisaged that the conflict would end, we must now come to terms with the reality and the urgency of the humanitarian disaster now unfolding. Although many veterans will, no doubt, be questioning whether the Afghan war was worth it, on behalf of our community and certainly I think on behalf of all Australians, I want to reaffirm our gratitude for the service that they have given for their country in a fight against terrorism to secure freedom and a better future for Afghans and particularly for women and girls. This was not for nothing. Clearly this conflict will raise many emotions within the community, but we must also think of the gains that have been made through the efforts of our participation in the Afghan conflict, particularly through education, health, human rights, trade and, to an extent, the opening up of diplomatic connections throughout the region. While there is no doubt that miscalculations and misgivings were made throughout this mission, as I gather would occur in any tense situation of conflict, let us recall the reason why the allied intervention occurred in Afghanistan in the first place: it was a fight against terrorism, terrorism espoused by extremist groups, including al-Qaeda, who were responsible for the tragic September 11 attack and who colluded with the Taliban to attack our very way of life. To our veterans, our service men…
date: 2021-08-24T12:57:00+00:00

National Disability Insurance Scheme Amendment (Improving Supports for At Risk Participants) Bill 2021; Second Reading | Bills | House debates
type: item
description: I also would like to make a contribution to this debate on the National Disability Insurance Scheme Amendment (Improving Supports for At Risk Participants) Bill 2021. To make it clear from the...
encoded: I also would like to make a contribution to this debate on the National Disability Insurance Scheme Amendment (Improving Supports for At Risk Participants) Bill 2021. To make it clear from the outset, Labor welcomes the measures in this bill to the extent that they are aimed at improving support and protection for NDIS participants, including the involvement and functions of the NDIS Quality and Safeguards Commission. While we do welcome those measures in the bill, we certainly have grave concerns about the lack of consultation with the people who rely on the NDIS, and their families. As you can see, Mr Deputy Speaker, that's fundamentally what is contained in the second reading amendment. It draws attention to those ultimate deficiencies. The displacement of people with disability from the decision-making process, a process that directly involves their lives, contradicts the very core of what the NDIS was all about. At the core of the NDIS was a people centred principle. To make changes without consulting those directly involved certainly has—with respect, Mr Deputy Speaker—hairs on it. We should not be taking these people for granted. What we know about the bill is that it is a direct response to the Robertson review of the death of an Adelaide NDIS participant, Ann-Marie Smith. The review was the result of pressure from Labor's shadow minister and also from Labor's state shadow minister in South Australia to establish the independent inquiry into the death of Ms Smith. While we congratulate the government for finally taking much-needed action on this issue, it should be noted that they took that action 11 months after former judge Alan Robertson handed down his report and some 16 months after Ann-Marie Smith passed away. Only now are they finally doing something about it. That's just simply not good enough, and it's not the appropriate care that you would expect would be made available to the most vulnerable in our community. The bill doesn't even come close to f…
date: 2021-08-23T17:33:00+00:00