House debates

Wednesday, 10 May 2006

  • Australia-Japan Foundation (Repeal and Transitional Provisions) Bill 2006 (0 speeches)
    • First Reading (0 speeches)
      Bill and explanatory memorandum presented by Mr Downer. Bill read a first time.
    • Second Reading (1 speech)
      I move: That this bill be now read a second time. The purpose of this bill is to repeal the Australia-Japan Foundation Act 1976. The abolition of that act will enable the Australia-Japan...
  • Child Support Legislation Amendment (Reform of the Child Support Scheme — Initial Measures) Bill 2006 (0 speeches)
    • First Reading (0 speeches)
      Bill and explanatory memorandum presented by Mr Cobb, for Mr Brough. Bill read a first time.
    • Second Reading (1 speech)
      I move: That this bill be now read a second time. This bill represents the first implementation phase in the government’s comprehensive reform of the Child Support Scheme. This reform flows...
  • Family Law Amendment (Shared Parental Responsibility) Bill 2006 (0 speeches)
    • Consideration of Senate Message (3 speeches)
      Consideration resumed from 9 May. Senate’s amendments— (1)    Schedule 1, item 3, page 4 (after line 22), at the end of the definition of family violence,...
  • Electoral and Referendum Amendment (Electoral Integrity and Other Measures) Bill 2005 (0 speeches)
    • Second Reading (36 speeches)
      Debate resumed from 9 May, on motion by Dr Stone: That this bill be now read a second time. upon which Mr Griffin moved by way of amendment: That all words after “That” be omitted...
  • Questions without Notice (0 speeches)
    • Budget 2006-07 (20 speeches)
      My question is directed to the Treasurer. Treasurer, did the secretary of the Treasury brief the Reserve Bank board on the contents of the budget before the bank took its decision to raise...
  • Distinguished Visitors (0 speeches)
    • (2 speeches)
      I inform the House that we have present in the gallery this afternoon members of a parliamentary delegation from the Senate Parliamentary Committee on Constitutional and Legal Affairs of the...
  • Questions without Notice (0 speeches)
    • Budget 2006-07 (4 speeches)
      My question is to the Treasurer. Isn’t it a fact that since last night’s budget the bank bill futures market has shifted to predicting with 100 per cent certainty that interest rates...
  • Distinguished Visitors (0 speeches)
    • (2 speeches)
      I inform the House that we have present in the gallery this afternoon the Hon. Kathy Sullivan, a former parliamentary secretary and member for Moncrieff. On behalf of all members, I extend to her...
  • Questions without Notice (0 speeches)
    • Workplace Relations (2 speeches)
      My question is to the Prime Minister. Is the Prime Minister aware that, because of the government’s industrial relations changes, Spotless Services, contracted to clean army barracks in...
    • Budget 2006-07 (6 speeches)
      My question is addressed to the Minister for Families, Community Services and Indigenous Affairs. Would the minister advise the House of steps the government is taking to build on its record...
    • Exports (4 speeches)
      My question also is to the Minister for Trade. As the minister responsible for Australia’s export performance for the last six years, can the minister explain to the House why it was that...
    • Budget 2006-07 (6 speeches)
      My question is addressed to the Minister for Health and Ageing. Would the minister advise the House how this year’s budget will boost Australia’s medical research effort?
    • Oil for Food Program (2 speeches)
      My question is again to the Minister for Foreign Affairs. I refer to his evidence to the Cole inquiry that he did not have a ‘specific recollection’ of receiving or reading the...
    • National Security (2 speeches)
      My question is addressed to the Attorney-General. Would the Attorney-General inform the House what the government is doing to improve domestic security arrangements?
    • Oil for Food Program (12 speeches)
      My question is to the Prime Minister. I refer the Prime Minister to his statement of 20 March 2006 on the ‘wheat for weapons’ scandal.
    • Budget 2006-07 (2 speeches)
      My question is addressed to the Minister for Defence. Would the minister inform the House how last night’s budget will enhance Australia’s Defence Force capability?
    • Fuel Prices (3 speeches)
      My question without notice is to the Treasurer. Assuming the government is intending to address the skyrocketing price of petrol, is the Treasurer aware of the State of the Union address by...
    • Budget 2006-07 (5 speeches)
      My question is addressed to the Minister for Transport and Regional Services. Would the minister advise the House how budget measures will boost transport infrastructure?
  • Questions without Notice: Additional Answers (0 speeches)
    • Budget 2006-07 (5 speeches)
      Mr Speaker, I seek the indulgence of the chair to add to an answer.
  • Personal Explanations (0 speeches)
    • (5 speeches)
      Mr Speaker, I wish to make a personal explanation.
  • Documents (0 speeches)
    • (1 speech)
      Documents are tabled as listed in the schedule circulated to honourable members. Details of the documents will be recorded in the Votes and Proceedings and I move: That the House take note of the...
  • Business (0 speeches)
    • (1 speech)
      by leave—I move: That standing order 31 (automatic adjournment of the House) be suspended for the sitting on Thursday, 11 May 2006. Question agreed to.
  • Matters of Public Importance (0 speeches)
    • Budget 2006-07 (32 speeches)
      I have received a letter from the honourable member for Lilley proposing that a definite matter of public importance be submitted to the House for discussion, namely: The Government putting at...
  • Business (0 speeches)
    • Rearrangement (1 speech)
      I move: That notice No. 4, government business, be postponed until the next sitting. Question agreed to.
  • Export Market Development Grants Legislation Amendment Bill 2006 (0 speeches)
    • Referred to Main Committee (1 speech)
      by leave—I move: That the bill be referred to the Main Committee for further consideration. Question agreed to.
  • Australian Broadcasting Corporation Amendment Bill 2006 (0 speeches)
    • First Reading (0 speeches)
      Bill received from the Senate, and read a first time. Ordered that the second reading be made an order of the day for the next sitting.
  • National Health and Medical Research Council Amendment Bill 2006 (0 speeches)
    • First Reading (0 speeches)
      Bill received from the Senate, and read a first time. Ordered that the second reading be made an order of the day for the next sitting.
  • Protection of the Sea (Powers of Intervention) Amendment Bill 2006 (0 speeches)
    • Report from Main Committee (0 speeches)
      Bill returned from Main Committee without amendment; certified copy of the bill presented. Ordered that this bill be considered immediately. Bill agreed to.
    • Third Reading (1 speech)
      by leave—I move: That this bill be now read a third time. Question agreed to. Bill read a third time.
  • Age Discrimination Amendment Bill 2006 (0 speeches)
    • Report from Main Committee (1 speech)
      Bill returned from Main Committee with an amendment; certified copy of the bill and schedule of amendment presented. Ordered that this bill be considered immediately. Main committee’s...
    • Third Reading (1 speech)
      by leave—I move: That this bill be now read a third time. Question agreed to. Bill read a third time.
  • Defence Housing Authority Amendment Bill 2006 (0 speeches)
    • Report from Main Committee (0 speeches)
      Bill returned from Main Committee without amendment; certified copy of the bill presented. Ordered that this bill be considered immediately. Bill agreed to.
    • Third Reading (1 speech)
      by leave—I move: That this bill be now read a third time. Question agreed to. Bill read a third time.
  • Committees (0 speeches)
    • Selection Committee; Report (1 speech)
      I present the report of the selection committee relating to the consideration of committee and delegation reports and private members’ business on Monday, 22 May 2006. The report will be...
  • Social Security and Veterans’ Entitlements Legislation Amendment (One-Off Payments to Increase Assistance for Older Australians and Carers and Other Measures) Bill 2006 (0 speeches)
    • First Reading (0 speeches)
      Bill and explanatory memorandum presented by Mr Brough. Bill read a first time.
    • Second Reading (7 speeches)
      I move: That this bill be now read a second time. The measures in this bill are a further demonstration of the government’s appreciation and acknowledgment of the contribution older...
    • Third Reading (1 speech)
      by leave—I move: That this bill be now read a third time. Question agreed to. Bill read a third time.
  • Committees (0 speeches)
    • Public Works Committee; Report (1 speech)
      On behalf of the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Public Works I present the sixth and seventh reports of the committee for 2006 relating to fit-out of new leased premises for the Department...
    • Treaties Committee; Report (3 speeches)
      On behalf of the Joint Standing Committee on Treaties I present the committee’s report entitled Report 73: Treaties tabled in February 2006. Ordered that the report be made a parliamentary...
    • Intelligence and Security Committee; Membership (1 speech)
      The Speaker has received a message from the Senate informing the House that Senator Nash has been appointed a member of the Parliamentary Joint Committee on Intelligence and Security.
  • Electoral and Referendum Amendment (Electoral Integrity and Other Measures) Bill 2005 (0 speeches)
  • Adjournment (0 speeches)
    • (1 speech)
      Order! It being 7.30 pm, I propose the question: That the House do now adjourn.
    • Budget 2006-07 (1 speech)
      I am concerned that age pensioners are fighting a losing battle and retirees without substantial superannuation or investments are continuing to slip further behind financially. The most alarming...
    • WorldSkills Australia National Competition (1 speech)
      I was fortunate enough to attend the WorldSkills Australia awards presentation ceremony and 25th anniversary gala dinner in Melbourne on Monday night, following the WorldSkills Australia National...
    • Budget 2006-07 (1 speech)
      On Wednesday next week we will be holding a consultation in my electorate on work and family balance and child care. Since sending out the notices a month ago, we have had an extraordinary...
    • United Nations Human Rights Council (1 speech)
      Last year I served as the parliamentary adviser to the United Nations General Assembly and was part of Australia’s delegation at the 60th session of the General Assembly. Of that...
    • Department of Education and Training New Apprenticeships Centres (1 speech)
      I was horrified to learn that the federal government had decided to defund DETNAC, the Department of Education and Training New Apprenticeships Centres. I question the reason behind this...
    • Mrs Joan Bevan (1 speech)
      My fellow Redlands resident Joan Bevan has left behind her an enormous legacy in music both in the electorate of Bowman and in the greater Brisbane region. ‘Joann’, as she was...
  • Notices (0 speeches)
    • (4 speeches)
      The following notices were given:
  • Statements by Members (0 speeches)
    • Bay Group Companies (1 speech)
      I rise to report to the chamber on the collapse of the Bay Building group of companies in the Hunter region, a collapse which has left over 500 creditors owed around $35 million. Most of the...
    • Operation Sports Airlift (1 speech)
      I rise this morning to inform the House of the work of an extraordinary young man named Peter Cole. Peter recently led a successful aid mission to Fiji, named Operation Sports Airlift. Operation...
    • Taiwan (1 speech)
      I would once again like to bring to the attention of the House the ongoing issue of Taiwan’s application to participate in the World Health Assembly and the World Health Organisation. Last...
    • Budget 2006-07 (1 speech)
      I rise to address some of the issues raised for my electorate in the federal budget last night. In particular, some months ago I spoke to this chamber about road priorities in the electorate of...
    • Page Electorate: Workplace Relations; Gorton Electorate: Education (1 speech)
      I had the good fortune of being in your electorate last week, Mr Deputy Speaker Causley. Lismore is a wonderful place. People are very concerned about the industrial relations laws, of course,...
    • Education (1 speech)
      Several weeks ago, during the last recess, I was grateful to be invited to the Illaroo Road Public School to address years 5 and 6 classes on government and my role as a politician. It is an...
    • Commonwealth Emergency Relief Program (1 speech)
      I rise to speak on an important local issue that affects the most disempowered and vulnerable people in the Fairfield local government area. The Fairfield LGA missed out on a large part of its...
    • Budget 2006-07; Cronulla Sharks (1 speech)
      Last night, when the budget was brought down by the Treasurer, we had extremely good news for the taxpayers of New South Wales in terms of tax cuts, moves on superannuation and significant...
    • Mr Arthur Foster (1 speech)
      Recently I had the opportunity to attend the funeral of a very special resident of Ingleburn. The passing of any community member generally involves much sadness for family and friends as they...
    • Level Crossing Accidents (2 speeches)
      The fatal accident involving the collision between a high-speed train and a truck in Victoria last month prompts me to speak in the House today. Two people died when a truck collided with a train...
  • Protection of the Sea (Powers of Intervention) Amendment Bill 2006 (0 speeches)
    • Second Reading (6 speeches)
      Debate resumed from 29 March, on motion by Mr Truss: That this bill be now read a second time.
  • Age Discrimination Amendment Bill 2006 (0 speeches)
    • Second Reading (10 speeches)
      Debate resumed from 29 March, on motion by Mr Ruddock: That this bill be now read a second time.
    • Consideration in Detail (1 speech)
      Bill—by leave—taken as a whole.
  • Defence Housing Authority Amendment Bill 2006 (0 speeches)
    • Second Reading (2 speeches)
      Debate resumed from 30 March, on motion by Mr Billson: That this bill be now read a second time.