House debates

Thursday, 27 November 2008

  • Privilege (0 speeches)
    • (1 speech)
      Mr Speaker, I rise on a point of privilege at the earliest appropriate point I can. It relates to the Hansard record, which I wish to check this morning relating to the comments of the Leader of...
  • Business (0 speeches)
    • Days and Hours of Meeting (1 speech)
      I move: That on:(1)Thursday, 27 November 2008, the House at its rising adjourn until 10 a.m. on Monday, 1 December 2008; and(2)Monday, 1 December 2008, notices and orders of the day, government...
  • Resale Royalty Right for Visual Artists Bill 2008 (0 speeches)
    • First Reading (0 speeches)
      Bill and explanatory memorandum presented by Mr Garrett. Bill read a first time.
    • Second Reading (1 speech)
      I move: That this bill be now read a second time. The introduction of this bill marks a landmark day for Australia’s visual artists, whose right to an ongoing economic interest in the value...
    • Reference to Committee (1 speech)
      I move: That the Resale Royalty Right for Visual Artists Bill 2008 be referred to the Standing Committee on Climate Change, Water, Environment and the Arts for consideration and an advisory...
  • Business (0 speeches)
    • Rearrangement (1 speech)
      I move: That orders of the day Nos 1 to 7, government business, be postponed until a later hour this day. Question agreed to.
  • Same-Sex Relationships (Equal Treatment in Commonwealth Laws — General Law Reform) Bill 2008 (0 speeches)
    • Consideration of Senate Message (1 speech)
      Bill returned from the Senate with amendments. Ordered that the amendments be considered immediately. Senate’s amendments— (1)    Clause 2, page 2 (table...
  • Tax Laws Amendment (Luxury Car Tax — Minor Amendments) Bill 2008 (0 speeches)
    • Second Reading (15 speeches)
      Debate resumed from 26 November, on motion by Mr Bowen: That this bill be now read a second time.
  • Personal Explanations (0 speeches)
    • (19 speeches)
      Mr Deputy Speaker, I wish to make a personal explanation.
  • Tax Laws Amendment (Luxury Car Tax — Minor Amendments) Bill 2008 (0 speeches)
    • Second Reading (10 speeches)
      Debate resumed.
    • 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.
  • Guarantee Scheme for Large Deposits and Wholesale Funding Appropriation Bill 2008 (0 speeches)
    • Returned from the Senate (0 speeches)
      Message received from the Senate returning the bill without amendment or request.
  • Nation-Building Funds Bill 2008; Nation-Building Funds (Consequential Amendments) Bill 2008; Coag Reform Fund Bill 2008 (0 speeches)
    • Second Reading (37 speeches, 1 comment)
      Debate resumed from 26 November, on motion by Mr Tanner: That this bill be now read a second time.
  • Committees (0 speeches)
    • Economics Committee; Report (4 speeches)
      On behalf of the Standing Committee on Economics, I present the committee’s report entitled Competition in the banking and non-banking sectors, together with the minutes of the proceedings....
  • Nation-Building Funds Bill 2008; Nation-Building Funds (Consequential Amendments) Bill 2008; Coag Reform Fund Bill 2008 (0 speeches)
  • Ministerial Statements (0 speeches)
    • Mumbai Terrorist Attacks (3 speeches)
      Mr Speaker, on indulgence: overnight in the Indian city of Mumbai there have been a series of coordinated attacks on up to 10 hotels, train stations and other public places. It is unclear at this...
  • Questions without Notice (0 speeches)
    • Economy (2 speeches)
      My question is addressed to the Prime Minister. Given that the OECD, the International Monetary Fund, the Reserve Bank and the government all forecast positive economic growth for this year and...
    • Council of Australian Governments (2 speeches)
      My question is to the Prime Minister. Will the Prime Minister outline the importance of this weekend’s Council of Australian Governments meeting?
    • Economy (23 speeches)
      My question is again to the Prime Minister. Given the official cash rate is still over five per cent, shouldn’t the Reserve Bank be given time to stimulate the economy and protect jobs by...
    • Budget (13 speeches)
      My question is to the Prime Minister. I refer the Prime Minister to his statement on 14 October last year when, declaring himself an economic conservative, he said: That’s why I’ve...
    • Education (5 speeches)
      My question is to the Minister for Education, Minister for Employment and Workplace Relations and Minister for Social Inclusion. Will the minister update the House on the visit to Australia by...
    • Employment (30 speeches)
      My question is to the Prime Minister. I refer to his claim a moment ago that the Liberal Party had no interest in protecting jobs or never puts jobs first. Could the Prime Minister confirm that...
    • Commonwealth-State Financial Arrangements (2 speeches)
      My question is to the Treasurer. Will the Treasurer outline for the House the government’s priorities for tomorrow’s meeting of state and federal treasurers?
    • Economy (2 speeches)
      My question is also to the Prime Minister. I refer him to his statement at the National Press Club on 21 November last year in which he said: I pride myself on being an economic conservative,...
    • Health (2 speeches)
      My question is to the Minister for Health and Ageing. What is the government doing to end the blame game in health?
    • Economy (2 speeches)
      My question is to the Prime Minister. I refer the Prime Minister to the statement of the Treasurer last Monday, when he said: We stick by our forecasts. There are many forecasts out there but the...
    • Regulatory Reform (5 speeches)
      My question is to the Minister for Small Business, Independent Contractors and the Service Economy. Will the minister outline to the House the work that has been undertaken this year by...
    • Economy (5 speeches)
      My question is to the Prime Minister. Prime Minister, what is a temporary deficit?
    • Child Care (2 speeches)
      My question is to the Minister for Education, Minister for Employment and Workplace Relations and Minister for Social Inclusion. Will the minister update the House in relation to...
    • New South Wales Government (28 speeches)
      My question is to the Prime Minister. I refer the Prime Minister to his announcement yesterday of a budget deficit. Prime Minister, can you advise the House how much of this new Labor debt will...
    • Australian Public Service (4 speeches)
      My question is to the Minister for Finance and Deregulation. How is the government dealing with wasteful spending within the Australian Public Service? What legacy issues is the government addressing?
    • Economy (2 speeches)
      My question is addressed to the Prime Minister. Prime Minister, I refer you to the recent OECD World Economic Outlook that has warned the government that the $10.4 billion stimulus package would...
    • Drugs in Sport (4 speeches)
      My question is to the Minister for Sport. Will the Minister for Sport update the House on global developments to tackle drugs in sport?
    • Economy (2 speeches)
      My question is addressed to the Prime Minister. Prime Minister, with 168 committees and reviews coming up with spending promises attached—none of them associated with the global financial...
    • Renewable Energy (12 speeches)
      My question is to the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and the Arts. How is the government delivering on its commitments to support solar power in Australia?
  • Questions to the Speaker (0 speeches)
    • Matters of Public Importance (2 speeches)
      Mr Speaker, I have a question for you. My question relates to the letter to you today proposing a matter of public importance, purportedly from the shadow Treasurer. My question is: as the letter...
    • Questions in Writing (2 speeches)
      Mr Speaker, my question relates to questions on the Notice Paper. Question No. 176 to the Minister for Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government from 25 June 2008 is...
  • Auditor-General’S Reports (0 speeches)
    • Report No. 9 of 2008-09 (1 speech)
      I present the Auditor-General’s Audit report No. 9 of 2008-09 entitled Assurance report: Defence Materiel Organisation major projects report 2007-08. Ordered that the report be made a...
  • Committees (0 speeches)
  • Legislative Assembly of Norfolk Island (0 speeches)
    • (1 speech)
      I inform the House that I have received a copy of a resolution passed by the Legislative Assembly of Norfolk Island on 19 November 2008 forwarding the Chief Minister’s statement in...
  • 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.
  • Matters of Public Importance (0 speeches)
    • Budget (25 speeches)
      I have 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 Government’s...
  • Adjournment (0 speeches)
    • (1 speech)
      Order! It being 4.30 pm, I propose the question: That the House do now adjourn.
    • Groom Electorate: Roads; Economy (1 speech)
      This week we heard much about the one-year anniversary of the Rudd Labor government, but missing from the fanfare of those opposite was the list of failings recorded over the last 12 months....
    • Cycling (1 speech)
      Australian cycling has a long and proud history, most notably dating back to Sir Hubert ‘Oppy’ Opperman, who was Australia’s greatest cyclist of his time and who held many world...
    • Mumbai Terrorist Attacks; Diwali Festival (1 speech)
      Terrorism knows no boundaries. Terrorists care for no faith or gender. Terrorists care for no country or region. Today, on behalf of the people of Ryan, I want to express my sympathy and...
    • Neil Sachse Foundation; Mr Richard Maurovic (1 speech)
      On Saturday, 15 November, I attended a fundraising dinner organised by the South Australian branch of the Australian Workers Union. The funds raised on the night went to the Neil Sachse...
    • Mumbai Terrorist Attacks; Queensland Health; Child Care (1 speech)
      I would like to join with the member for Ryan and his comments in relation to the Mumbai shootings. One of my constituents, David Coker, was injured in that event, and I think that the Coker...
    • Eastern Emergency Relief Network (2 speeches)
      I would like to inform the House of the great work being done by the volunteers at the Eastern Emergency Relief Network in my electorate of Deakin. They help out those less fortunate in our...
  • Notices (0 speeches)
    • (2 speeches)
      The following notices were given:
  • Constituency Statements (0 speeches)
    • Forrest Electorate: General Practice (1 speech)
      I wish to speak about the shortage of doctors in the south-west of Western Australia, particularly in my electorate of Forrest. We certainly have a distinct shortage of doctors, even throughout...
    • Sydney Electorate: Lord Howe Island (1 speech)
      I want to report to the Committee about a recent rescue on Lord Howe Island. Lord Howe Island is part of my electorate of Sydney. One of my constituents, Pam Goyen, a resident of Lord Howe...
    • Young People in Nursing Homes (1 speech)
      Today I rise to speak on a subject which is very dear to my heart and one that has been an issue for me ever since I came into this political career. It is the issue of young people living in...
    • Port Adelaide Electorate: Dolphins (3 speeches)
      I rise today to talk about one of the great treasures, alongside our football teams, of the electorate of Port Adelaide—that is, our dolphins. Some years ago the Rann Labor government...
    • Gippsland Electorate: Child Care (1 speech)
      I rise to highlight the concerns of parents, children and staff involved in the ABC Learning Centres in Gippsland. As the Deputy Prime Minister announced in this place yesterday, the receiver of...
    • Community Achievement Awards for Tasmania (1 speech)
      On Saturday night in Hobart the Community Achievement Awards for Tasmania will be presented. I note that nine of the finalists are from my electorate of Lyons, which shows me that I have the most...
    • Budget (1 speech)
      If Australians thought at the last election that they were going to get a government that was very much in the responsible Howard-Costello mould, one that would know how to manage the national...
    • Hindmarsh Electorate: Cypriot Community (1 speech)
      This weekend I will be attending a function to commemorate the 60th anniversary of the Cypriot community in South Australia. Cypriots were first recorded in Australia in the 1850s. They were...
    • Swan Electorate: Grandcare (1 speech)
      The first official duty I undertook after I was declared the federal member for Swan last December was at a Christmas event for Grandcare. Grandcare is an organisation that helps grandparents who...
    • Blaxland Electorate: Cabramatta (1 speech)
      Cabramatta is a thriving town, full of life, colour and culinary delights. It is a very busy shopping district in my electorate, but it is a community that has had to endure a lot. In the...
    • Murray-Darling River System (1 speech)
      This week in the debate on the Water Amendment Bill 2008, Minister Penny Wong raised the issue of Labor’s disastrous water buyback scheme for the Murray-Darling Basin. Minister Wong said,...
    • Great Ocean Road (1 speech)
      I would like to take this opportunity to place on the agenda a looming issue in my electorate—the threats to the operation of the Great Ocean Road. I want to put on the table the need for...
    • Mr Ernest William 'Grumpy' Evans (1 speech)
      Last Thursday, I had the very unpleasant duty of attending the funeral of Mr Ernest William ‘Grumpy’ Evans, NX176692, who served in the 58th and 59th Battalion in Bougainville and...
    • Blair Electorate: Storms (1 speech)
      I wish to speak about the terrible and severe storms which affected South-East Queensland from 16 November to 22 November. They have affected my electorate of Blair, which is based in Ipswich and...
    • Monash Awards (1 speech)
      I had the privilege of attending the General Sir John Monash Awards this week. They are annual awards presented to up to eight young Australians who graduate from Australian universities and...
    • Mr Colin McDonald QC; Mr Robert Grey (1 speech)
      Madam Deputy Speaker, a parliamentary secretary has limited opportunities to participate in the debates of this House, so I trust you will excuse me for trying to compress two matters into three...
    • Australian Learning Communities Network Inc. (1 speech)
      I would like to take this opportunity to acknowledge an organisation within the community that is working towards a goal that I hold very dear—that is, the creation of a culture of lifelong...
    • Lindsay Electorate: Samuel Morris Foundation (1 speech)
      I rise to acknowledge the important work being undertaken by the Samuel Morris Foundation, which was established in March 2007 to provide assistance to families of children suffering from severe...
    • Mayo Electorate: Mr and Mrs Goldner (1 speech)
      I join with the member for Lindsay. Water Safety is a worthwhile cause. As the parent of two young children, drowning is one of the biggest fears you are ever likely to have. I welcome and...
    • Maribyrnong Electorate: Mr David Cunningham (1 speech)
      I believe in the vital importance of people with disability being able to participate fully in our community, including our workplaces. Along with the Minister for Employment Participation, we...
  • Committees (0 speeches)
  • Adjournment (0 speeches)
    • (1 speech)
      I move: That the Main Committee do now adjourn.
    • Fadden Electorate: Mortgage Stress (1 speech)
      I am deeply distressed to have to report to the parliament that the Gold Coast suburb of Helensvale in my electorate is suffering the worst mortgage stress of any suburb in the entire nation. As...
    • Pensions and Benefits (1 speech)
      I am going to talk about good news. The good news I am going to talk about is the simple fact that pensioners, carers and disability support pensioners who were ignored by the previous...
    • Greenway Electorate: Richmond Road (1 speech)
      Three weeks ago I spoke on the need to upgrade Richmond Road to dual carriageway from the M7 to Richmond. I am sorry to say that I need to rise and speak about it again because there have been...
    • HMAS Sydney (1 speech)
      Some time ago a lady in her eighties came into my office in Launceston. She wanted to know what was happening in Tasmania to commemorate the historic discovery of HMAS Sydney off the coast of...
    • Grey Electorate: Wind Farms (1 speech)
      I rise today to speak about the wind-farm industry, which is taking a large hold in my electorate of Grey. In the next 10 years South Australia will generate 20 per cent of its electricity by...
    • Braddon Electorate: Projects (1 speech)
      I know the member for Grey will work assiduously with us to support any legislation coming forward on the mandated renewable energy target of 20 per cent by 2020 to aid the wind development in...