House debates

Wednesday, 7 February 2007

  • Family Law (Divorce Fees Validation) Bill 2007 (0 speeches)
    • First Reading (0 speeches)
      Bill and explanatory memorandum presented by Mr Ruddock. Bill read a first time.
    • Second Reading (1 speech)
      I move: That this bill be now read a second time. This bill amends the Family Law Act 1975 to validate retrospectively the imposition of an unauthorised filing fee for divorce matters in Western...
  • Acis Administration Amendment (Unearned Credit Liability) Bill 2007 (0 speeches)
    • First Reading (0 speeches)
      Bill and explanatory memorandum presented by Mr Ian Macfarlane. Bill read a first time.
    • Second Reading (1 speech)
      I move: That this bill be now read a second time. The Australian automotive industry is recognised worldwide for its innovation, its quality standards and its expertise in design and engineering....
  • Human Services (Enhanced Service Delivery) Bill 2007 (0 speeches)
    • First Reading (0 speeches)
      Bill and explanatory memorandum presented by Mr Brough. Bill read a first time.
    • Second Reading (1 speech)
      I move: That this bill be now read a second time. I have great pleasure in introducing the Human Services (Enhanced Service Delivery) Bill 2007. As its name makes clear, this bill is about...
  • Superannuation Legislation Amendment (Simplification) Bill 2007 (0 speeches)
    • First Reading (0 speeches)
      Bill and explanatory memorandum presented by Mr Dutton. Bill read a first time.
    • Second Reading (1 speech)
      I move: That this bill be now read a second time. This bill is a related bill to the Tax Laws Amendment (Simplified Superannuation) Bill. The purpose of the bill is to make consequential...
  • Income Tax Amendment Bill 2007 (0 speeches)
    • First Reading (0 speeches)
      Bill and explanatory memorandum presented by Mr Dutton. Bill read a first time.
    • Second Reading (1 speech)
      I move: That this bill be now read a second time. This bill is a companion bill to the Superannuation Legislation Amendment (Simplification) Bill 2007 and a related bill to the Tax Laws Amendment...
  • Income Tax (Former Complying Superannuation Funds) Amendment Bill 2007 (0 speeches)
    • First Reading (0 speeches)
      Bill and explanatory memorandum presented by Mr Dutton. Bill read a first time.
    • Second Reading (1 speech)
      I move: That this bill be now read a second time. This bill is a companion bill to the Superannuation Legislation Amendment (Simplification) Bill 2007 and a related bill to the Tax Laws Amendment...
  • Income Tax (Former Non-Resident Superannuation Funds) Amendment Bill 2007 (0 speeches)
    • First Reading (0 speeches)
      Bill and explanatory memorandum presented by Mr Dutton. Bill read a first time.
    • Second Reading (1 speech)
      I move: That this bill be now read a second time. This bill is a companion bill to the Superannuation Legislation Amendment (Simplification) Bill 2007 and a related bill to the Tax Laws Amendment...
  • Income Tax Rates Amendment (Superannuation) Bill 2007 (0 speeches)
    • First Reading (0 speeches)
      Bill and explanatory memorandum presented by Mr Dutton. Bill read a first time.
    • Second Reading (1 speech)
      I move: That this bill be now read a second time. This bill is a companion bill to the Superannuation Legislation Amendment (Simplification) Bill 2007 and a related bill to the Tax Laws Amendment...
  • Migration Amendment (Employer Sanctions) Bill 2006 (0 speeches)
    • Second Reading (2 speeches)
      Debate resumed from 6 February, on motion by Mr Robb: That this bill be now read a second time. upon which Mr Burke moved by way of amendment: That all words after “That” be omitted...
    • 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.
  • Tax Laws Amendment (2006 Measures No. 7) Bill 2006 (0 speeches)
    • Second Reading (16 speeches)
      Debate resumed from 7 December 2006, on motion by Mr Dutton: That this bill be now read a second time.
    • 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.
  • Australian Technical Colleges (Flexibility in Achieving Australia’S Skills Needs) Amendment Bill (No. 2) 2006 (0 speeches)
    • Second Reading (11 speeches)
      Debate resumed from 7 December 2006, on motion by Mr Hardgrave: That this bill be now read a second time.
  • Questions without Notice (0 speeches)
    • Climate Change (6 speeches)
      My question is to the Prime Minister. Does the Prime Minister recall his Minister for Industry, Tourism and Resources saying just six months ago, ‘I am a sceptic of the connection between...
  • Distinguished Visitors (0 speeches)
    • (2 speeches)
      I inform the House that we have present in the gallery this afternoon the Honourable Ahmad Shabery bin Cheek, the Malaysian Parliamentary Secretary for Foreign Affairs. On behalf of the House I...
  • Questions without Notice (0 speeches)
    • Housing Market (2 speeches)
      My question is addressed to the Treasurer. Would the Treasurer update the House on developments in the housing credit markets? What are the implications for economic policy?
    • Climate Change (3 speeches)
      My question again to the Prime Minister is on climate change. Did the Prime Minister actually is say on Lateline two days ago that a four to six degree temperature rise would ‘be less...
    • Water (2 speeches)
      My question is addressed to the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Transport and Regional Services. Would the Deputy Prime Minister outline to the House the importance of infrastructure...
    • Climate Change (2 speeches)
      My question is to the Prime Minister. Will the Prime Minister now formally repudiate the industry minister’s statement in which he said, ‘I am a sceptic of the connection between...
    • Economy (15 speeches)
      My question is to the Treasurer. Given the strength of the Australian economy, would the Treasurer update the House on Australia’s private sector wealth and the level of growth in the last year?
    • Climate Change (10 speeches)
      My question is to the Minister for the Environment and Water Resources. I refer to the minister’s comments on 3 February: There’s a lot of very exaggerated claims ... and because of...
    • Fiji: Military Coup (2 speeches)
      My question is directed to the Minister for Foreign Affairs. Would the minister update the House on developments regarding the military coup in Fiji?
    • Climate Change (4 speeches)
      My question is to the Minister for the Environment and Water Resources and follows on from his answer to a previous question. I refer to a recent speech by the British Foreign Secretary on...
  • Distinguished Visitors (0 speeches)
    • (2 speeches)
      I inform the House that we have present in the gallery this afternoon His Excellency Dr Al-Alawi, Minister for Labour and Social Welfare in the Kingdom of Bahrain. On behalf of the House I extend...
  • Questions without Notice (0 speeches)
    • Water (2 speeches)
      My question is directed to the Treasurer. Can the Treasurer confirm that the Department of the Environment and Water Resources and the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry were...
    • Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (2 speeches)
      My question is addressed to the Minister for Health and Ageing. Would the minister inform the House of recent additions to the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme that will improve the health of older...
  • Distinguished Visitors (0 speeches)
    • (2 speeches)
      I inform the House that we have present in the gallery this afternoon a group of young people who are winners of the Heywire competition, an ABC Radio award scheme for regional and rural youth....
  • Questions without Notice (0 speeches)
    • Renewable Energy (2 speeches)
      My question is to the Prime Minister. Is the Prime Minister aware of a confidential cooperative research centre report by five CSIRO scientists which reportedly states that solar thermal...
    • Workplace Relations (6 speeches)
      My question is addressed to the Minister for Employment and Workplace Relations. Would the minister advise the House what impact the removal of unfair dismissal laws has had on small business?...
    • Interest Rates (5 speeches)
      My question is directed to the Prime Minister. Is the Prime Minister aware of new mortgage repossession figures from the Supreme Court of New South Wales for 2006 which show mortgage repossession...
    • Education (21 speeches)
      My question is addressed to the Minister for Education, Science and Training. Would the minister outline measures to improve school governance and teacher quality? How might this improve academic...
    • Vocational Education and Training (9 speeches)
      My question is addressed to the Minister for Vocational and Further Education.
  • Questions without Notice: Additional Answers (0 speeches)
    • Renewable Energy (3 speeches)
      Mr Speaker, I seek the indulgence of the chair to add to an answer.
  • Questions to the Speaker (0 speeches)
    • Question Time (5 speeches)
      Mr Speaker, I refer to page 552 of House of Representatives Practice, which is about the procedure that the Prime Minister just went through. It says: Ministers may seek and be granted the...
  • Personal Explanations (0 speeches)
    • (5 speeches)
      Mr Speaker, I seek leave to make a personal explanation.
  • Auditor-General’S Reports (0 speeches)
    • Report No. 24 of 2006-07 (1 speech)
      I present the Auditor-General’s Audit report No. 24 of 2006-07 entitled Customs’ cargo management re-engineering project: Australian Customs Service. Ordered that the report be made a...
  • 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...
  • Matters of Public Importance (0 speeches)
    • Climate Change (42 speeches)
      I have received a letter from the honourable member for Kingsford Smith proposing that a definite matter of public importance be submitted to the House for discussion, namely: The...
  • Personal Explanations (0 speeches)
    • (6 speeches)
      Mr Speaker, I wish to make a personal explanation.
  • Customs Legislation Amendment (Border Compliance and Other Measures) Bill 2006 (0 speeches)
    • Returned from the Senate (0 speeches)
      Message received from the Senate returning the bill without amendment or request.
  • Classification (Publications, Films and Computer Games) 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.
  • Veterans’ Affairs Legislation Amendment (Statements of Principles and Other Measures) Bill 2006 (0 speeches)
    • Report from Main Committee (0 speeches)
      Bill returned from Main Committee without amendment, appropriation message having been reported; 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.
  • Export Finance and Insurance Corporation Amendment Bill 2006; Maritime Legislation Amendment (Prevention of Air Pollution from Ships) Bill 2006 (0 speeches)
    • Referred to Main Committee (1 speech)
      by leave—I move: That the bills be referred to the Main Committee for further consideration. Question agreed to.
  • 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, 12 February 2007. The report will...
    • Economic, Finance and Public Administration Committee; Membership (2 speeches)
      I have received advice from the Chief Opposition Whip that he has nominated Ms Bird to be a member of the Standing Committee on Economics, Finance and Public Administration in place of Mr Fitzgibbon.
  • Australian Technical Colleges (Flexibility in Achieving Australia’S Skills Needs) Amendment Bill (No. 2) 2006 (0 speeches)
  • Adjournment (0 speeches)
    • (1 speech)
      Order! It being 7.30 pm, I propose the question: That the House do now adjourn.
    • Climate Change (1 speech)
      I rise tonight to provide the House with a very quick snapshot of the most comprehensive global scientific assessment report on climate change, the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change...
    • Hasluck Leadership Award (1 speech)
      The distance and the cost is a serious disadvantage for Western Australian school students travelling to our nation’s capital to see the Australian parliament in progress and to understand...
    • Coastal Policy (1 speech)
      Back in 2001, an election commitment—among a raft of election commitments—was made in relation to coastal policy. The government said at the time that a new national coastal policy...
    • Pornography; Family Law Education Program (1 speech)
      I rise to speak on three issues, time permitting. Firstly, I want to talk about the results of a recent study at the centre of the new book The Sex Lives of Australian Teenagers, by reputable...
    • Climate Change (1 speech)
      As did two of my colleagues previously, I rise to talk about climate change and global warming—and about the effects that it would have on the seat of Hindmarsh. We all know that our...
    • Corporate and Social Responsibility (2 speeches)
      I rise this evening to speak on an issue that is very close to my heart: the issue of corporate and social responsibility. When I addressed the House on this issue last year, I spoke particularly...
  • Notices (0 speeches)
    • (1 speech)
      The following notice was given:
  • Statements by Members (0 speeches)
    • Child Care (1 speech)
      Despite the government’s coffers being flush with funds, it would appear that the number of community groups whose work has been forgotten or taken for granted increases with each year....
    • Esperance: Floods (1 speech)
      Last month, we celebrated Australia Day and considered the topics for a citizenship test. Many of us paused to consider what it is to be Australian and talked of mateship, community and coming...
    • Tasmania: Black Tuesday Bushfires (1 speech)
      Today is the 40th anniversary of the tragic Black Tuesday bushfires in southern Tasmania. On that day, 7 February 1967, temperatures in Tasmania reached 39.4—a February record. Early in the...
    • McPherson Electorate: Awards (1 speech)
      The inaugural Currumbin Palm Beach RSL Citizen of the Year awards were launched at the conclusion of the citizenship ceremony on the southern Gold Coast last month. I would like to put on record...
    • Ballarat Electorate: Schools Funding (1 speech)
      I was very pleased to be able to welcome the government’s announcement of $1.9 million of Investing in Our Schools funding for schools in my electorate this week. The amount of money...
    • Paterson Electorate: Roads (1 speech)
      On 15 December I was fortunate to open 11 kilometres of dual carriageway from the Karuah bypass to just north of the Myall Way turn-off. This work included two intersections to local roads, two...
    • Ipswich Motorway (1 speech)
      Thursday, 1 February 2007 was a momentous occasion in the long-running Ipswich Motorway saga. The official sod-turning ceremony held by me and attended by local Ipswich city councillors and the...
    • Royal Life Saving Society Australia (1 speech)
      Today I would like to acknowledge the work of the Royal Life Saving Society Australia, particularly the New South Wales branch, with regard to the expansion of their work in Western Sydney and...
    • Veterans Affairs (1 speech)
      I would like to speak today about some developments that I think are quite disturbing regarding the provision of chaplaincy services to veterans in South Australia. The DVA review into chaplaincy...
    • Bonner Electorate: Awards (2 speeches)
      Each year, 26 January offers Australians a very special opportunity to celebrate not only this wonderful country but also the many and varied people who work tirelessly for their communities and...
  • Classification (Publications, Films and Computer Games) Amendment Bill 2006 (0 speeches)
    • Second Reading (3 speeches)
      Debate resumed from 7 December 2006, on motion by Mr Ruddock: That this bill be now read a second time.
  • Veterans’ Affairs Legislation Amendment (Statements of Principles and Other Measures) Bill 2006 (0 speeches)
    • Second Reading (26 speeches)
      Debate resumed from 7 December 2006, on motion by Mr Ruddock: That this bill be now read a second time.
  • Committees (0 speeches)
    • Procedure Committee; Report (5 speeches)
      Debate resumed from 7 December 2006, on motion by Mrs May: That the House take note of the paper.
    • Treaties Committee; Report (3 speeches)
      Debate resumed from 6 December, on motion by Dr Southcott: That the House take note of the report.