House debates

Wednesday, 22 October 2008

  • Business (0 speeches)
  • Committees (0 speeches)
    • Public Works Committee; Report (1 speech)
      On behalf of the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Public Works, I present the eighth report of the committee for 2008 relating to the proposed Australian Super Hornet facilities project, RAAF...
  • Interstate Road Transport Charge Amendment Bill (No. 2) 2008; Road Charges Legislation Repeal and Amendment Bill 2008 (0 speeches)
    • Second Reading (3 speeches)
      Debate resumed from 21 October, on motion by Mr Albanese: That this bill be now read a second time.
  • Leader of the Opposition (0 speeches)
    • Suspension of Standing and Sessional Orders (14 speeches)
      I move: That so much of the standing and sessional orders be suspended for a period of five minutes to allow the Leader of the Opposition to apologise for and retract his reckless and...
  • Interstate Road Transport Charge Amendment Bill (No. 2) 2008; ROAD CHARGES LEGISLATION REPEAL AND AMENDMENT BILL 2008 (0 speeches)
  • Ministerial Arrangements (0 speeches)
    • (5 speeches)
      We look forward to that with the usual levels of anticipation, excitement and joy.
  • Leader of the Opposition (0 speeches)
    • (20 speeches)
      Mr Speaker, earlier today the House of Representatives, by an absolute majority, carried a motion requiring the Leader of the Opposition to immediately apologise and retract his reckless and...
  • Questions without Notice (0 speeches)
    • Banking (2 speeches)
      My question is addressed to the Prime Minister. Has the Reserve Bank governor advised in respect of the deposit guarantee scheme ‘not only must there be a cap, but the lower the better’?
    • Economy (3 speeches)
      My question is to the Prime Minister. Will the Prime Minister outline to the House the need for coordinated international action to help respond to the global financial crisis?
  • Distinguished Visitors (0 speeches)
    • (2 speeches)
      I inform the House that we have present in the gallery this afternoon members of the Special Committee of the Proposed Act on Hospitals of the Parliament of the Republic of Indonesia. On behalf...
  • Questions without Notice (0 speeches)
    • Banking (14 speeches)
      I refer to the proposal being canvassed by the government to withdraw the free guarantee for deposits over $1 million. How will the government’s change of heart on this issue affect a...
    • Economy (2 speeches)
      My question is also to the Treasurer. Will the Treasurer outline for the House the consumer price index data released today and what it means for the government’s economic policy approach?
    • Banking (20 speeches)
      My question is to the Treasurer. Treasurer, in the interests of giving depositors and banks clear information on the proposal being canvassed by the government to now charge a fee for...
    • Rural and Regional Australia (2 speeches)
      My question is to the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry. Will the minister update the House on the economic circumstances facing Australia’s farmers and why strong...
    • Banking (2 speeches)
      My question is to the Prime Minister. Is it the Prime Minister’s contention, based on his remarks yesterday and today, that, as at 12 October, none of the Treasury, the Reserve Bank, APRA...
    • Older Australians (7 speeches)
      My question is to the Minister for Ageing. How is the government’s Economic Security Strategy helping older Australians who are facing increased pressure due to the rising costs of living?
    • Banking (5 speeches)
      My question is to the Treasurer. I refer the Treasurer to the deposits tax announced by the Treasurer a moment ago, which he said will apply to all banks’ deposits over $1 million whether...
    • Age Pension (4 speeches)
      I have a question for the Minister for Families, Housing, Community Services and Indigenous Affairs. Will the minister update the House on how the government is assisting with the cost-of-living...
    • Banking (11 speeches)
      My question is to the Prime Minister. Does the Prime Minister agree with the Macquarie Dictionary that a tax is ‘a compulsory’—
    • Education (4 speeches)
      My question is to the Minister for Education, Minister for Employment and Workplace Relations and Minister for Social Inclusion. What is the government doing to ensure long-term economic growth...
    • Banking (2 speeches)
      My question is to the Treasurer. Would a small or medium business with a million dollars or more in its chequing account at Westpac to cover wages and working capital be obliged to pay the new...
    • Alcohol Abuse (7 speeches)
      My question is to the Minister for Health and Ageing. Will the minister update the House on any new findings on alcohol and on the progress of the government’s National Binge Drinking...
    • Centrelink: Income Support (12 speeches)
      My question is to the Treasurer. Recently the Challenger Howard Mortgage Fund announced that, following the government’s decision to implement the unlimited bank deposit guarantee,...
    • East Timor (2 speeches)
      My question is to the Minister for Defence. Will the minister update the House on progress in East Timor and on any changes in our commitment?
    • Defence Personnel (5 speeches)
      My question is addressed to the Minister for Defence. Minister, earlier today in Senate estimates hearings on Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade, documents were tabled detailing your...
    • Defence Personnel Dependants: Health Care (15 speeches)
      My question is to the Minister for Defence Science and Personnel. Will the minister update the House on the government’s commitment to progressively extend free basic health care to the...
  • Privilege (0 speeches)
    • (2 speeches)
      Mr Speaker, I rise on a matter of privilege. In media reports today, and I quote from the Sydney Morning Herald, articles such as ‘Schultz should be shot: Nat leader’ appeared. The...
  • Personal Explanations (0 speeches)
    • (5 speeches)
      Mr Speaker, I wish to make a personal explanation.
  • Department of the House of Representatives (0 speeches)
    • Annual Report (1 speech)
      Pursuant to section 65 of the Parliamentary Services Act 1999, I present the annual report of the Department of the House of Representatives for 2007-08. Ordered that the report be made a...
  • Documents (0 speeches)
    • (1 speech)
      Documents are presented as listed in the schedule circulated to honourable members. Details of the documents will be recorded in the Votes and Proceedings.
  • Ministerial Statements (0 speeches)
    • Burma (2 speeches)
      by leave—Australia is deeply concerned at the situation in Burma. For many years, Burma’s regime, the State Peace and Development Council, has shown a profound disregard for the human...
  • Matters of Public Importance (0 speeches)
    • Banking (19 speeches)
      The Speaker has received a letter from the honourable member for Curtin proposing that a definite matter of public importance be submitted to the House for discussion, namely: The...
  • Interstate Road Transport Charge Amendment Bill (No. 2) 2008; Road Charges Legislation Repeal and Amendment Bill 2008 (0 speeches)
  • Business (0 speeches)
    • Rearrangement (1 speech)
      I move: That order of the day No. 2, government business, be postponed until the next sitting. Question agreed to.
  • Temporary Residents’ Superannuation Legislation Amendment Bill 2008; Superannuation (Departing Australia Superannuation Payments Tax) Amendment Bill 2008 (0 speeches)
    • Second Reading (12 speeches)
      Debate resumed from 25 September, on motion by Mr Bowen: 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.
  • Superannuation (Departing Australia Superannuation Payments Tax) Amendment Bill 2008 (0 speeches)
    • Second Reading (0 speeches)
      Debate resumed. That this bill be now read a second time. Question agreed to. Bill 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.
  • Questions without Notice: Additional Answers (0 speeches)
  • Tax Laws Amendment (Education Refund) Bill 2008 (0 speeches)
    • Second Reading (12 speeches)
      Debate resumed from 25 September, on motion by Mr Swan: That this bill be now read a second time.
  • Adjournment (0 speeches)
    • (1 speech)
      Order! It being 7.30 pm, I propose the question: That the House do now adjourn.
    • Minister for Defence (1 speech)
      Australia’s finest are somewhat concerned by statements and actions, or should I say a lack of action, by the Minister for Defence, Joel Fitzgibbon, since he was sworn in last year. First...
    • National Ride to Work Day (1 speech)
      Children often know better than adults, and they know one thing very early on in their lives—that is, riding a bike is one of the greatest things you will ever do. They absolutely love it...
    • Advertising (1 speech)
      My purpose in speaking tonight is to bring to the attention of the House inappropriate advertising in the media. On this occasion I will speak specifically on the problems of sexual advertising...
    • Carers Week (1 speech)
      I take this opportunity in parliament this evening to pay tribute to the carers in my community and across Australia and to acknowledge the enormous personal and financial sacrifices they make....
    • Higher Education; Rural and Regional Services (1 speech)
      I would like to take the opportunity this evening to highlight some of the difficulties faced by students in rural areas trying to access tertiary education. For many this means making some of...
    • Alcohol Abuse (2 speeches)
      I totally agree with the member for Grey. I commend him for his comments, and I refer him to the Hansard; I have spoken on this several times since 1998. I have had children going through exactly...
  • Notices (0 speeches)
    • (4 speeches)
      The following notices were given:
  • Constituency Statements (0 speeches)
    • Petition: Rent Assistance (1 speech)
      I rise to present a petition on behalf of one of my constituents, Maureen Ralston. The petition has been considered by the Standing Committee on Petitions and is certified as being in accordance...
    • Throsby Electorate: Barnardos (1 speech)
      The wonderful organisation Barnardos operates the only after school and vacation care program for 25 children in the suburb of Warrawong in my electorate. That area is classified as highly...
    • French Island (1 speech)
      This weekend I have the honour of going to French Island to attend the annual general meeting of the French Island Community Association. I have the role of election monitor for the election of...
    • Children: Wellbeing (1 speech)
      In any given week in this building there are numerous presentations and events that are designed to focus the attention of all members. I have to say that one of the most arresting events I have...
    • Macarthur Electorate: Badgerys Creek Airport (1 speech)
      Today I want to speak about a vision, a vision I have had for a number of years and since I have come into this place. People in Western Sydney, in particular at Badgerys Creek, are inhibited...
    • Gellibrand Electorate: Youth (1 speech)
      I want to take this opportunity in the Main Committee to talk about something I have been doing in my electorate for the last 10 years. It is interesting that the Minister for Youth and Minister...
    • Gippsland Electorate: Infrastructure (1 speech)
      I rise to highlight the need for increased investment in regional infrastructure to assist economic development and help withstand the job losses that are predicted to flow from the global...
    • Adelaide Electorate: Catherine House (1 speech)
      I rise today to speak about Catherine House, an organisation located in my electorate and providing accommodation and, in turn, comfort and support for women in crisis in South Australia. It is...
    • Boothby Electorate: Medical Workforce (2 speeches)
      I want to speak about the shortage of doctors in the electorate of Boothby. First of all I would like to say that my wife and I were very happy to go to the Pink Ribbon Ball on Saturday, 11...
    • Werriwa Electorate: Carers Week (2 speeches)
      This week is Carers Week, and it is time to recognise the vital role our carers play in our community and to acknowledge the enormous personal and financial sacrifices carers make. Carers provide...
  • National Rental Affordability Scheme Bill 2008; National Rental Affordability Scheme (Consequential Amendments) Bill 2008 (0 speeches)
    • Second Reading (22 speeches)
      Debate resumed from 21 October, on motion by Ms Plibersek: That this bill be now read a second time. upon which Mr Morrison moved by way of amendment: That all words after “That” be...
  • Archives Amendment Bill 2008 (0 speeches)
    • (0 speeches)
      Consideration resumed from 20 October.
    • Second Reading (25 speeches)
      I present the explanatory memorandum to this bill and move: That this bill be now read a second time. In addressing the Archives Amendment Bill 2008 (the bill), a bill that proposes changes to...
  • Broadcasting Legislation Amendment (Digital Radio) Bill 2008 (0 speeches)
    • (0 speeches)
      Consideration resumed from 20 October.
    • Second Reading (8 speeches)
      I present the explanatory memorandum and move: That this bill be now read a second time. Digital radio offers the promise of a range of new, diverse and innovative services that will further...