House debates

Monday, 22 February 2010

  • Main Committee (0 speeches)
    • Private Members’ Motions (1 speech)
      In accordance with standing order 41(h), and the recommendations of the whips adopted by the House on 10 February 2010, I present copies of the terms of motions for which notice has been given by...
  • Foreign Acquisitions and Takeovers Amendment Bill 2010; Telecommunications (Interception and Access) Amendment Bill 2010 (0 speeches)
    • Assent (0 speeches)
      Message from the Governor-General reported informing the House of assent to the bills.
  • Committees (0 speeches)
  • Crimes Legislation Amendment (Torture Prohibition and Death Penalty Abolition) Bill 2009 (0 speeches)
    • Second Reading (11 speeches)
      Debate resumed from 11 February, on motion by Mr McClelland: That this bill be now read a second time. Debate resumed.
  • Ministerial Arrangements (0 speeches)
    • (1 speech)
      I inform the House that the Minister for Families, Housing, Community Services and Indigenous Affairs, and the Minister for Indigenous Health, Rural and Regional Health and Regional Services...
  • Ministerial Statements (0 speeches)
    • Canonisation of Mary MacKillop (3 speeches)
      I am sure that the Leader of the Opposition and all members of this place will join the government in expressing its delight at the decision by the Vatican last Friday night and the formal...
  • Questions without Notice (0 speeches)
    • Home Insulation Program (2 speeches)
      My question is to the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and the Arts. I refer the minister to the Minter Ellison report, first received on 9 April last year, and to admissions by officials...
    • Health (4 speeches)
      My question is to the Prime Minister. Prime Minister, what are the future challenges facing the Australian health system?
    • Home Insulation Program (2 speeches)
      My question is again to the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and the Arts. I refer the minister to the Minter Ellison risk assessment on his now failed home insulation scheme provided to...
    • Health (2 speeches)
      My question is to the Treasurer. What are pressures on the health system as outlined in the report 2010 Intergenerational Report Australia to 2050: Future Challenges and why is it important to...
  • Distinguished Visitors (0 speeches)
    • (2 speeches)
      I inform the House that we have present in the gallery this afternoon the Deputy Chairman of External Affairs for the Justice and Development Party of the Grand National Assembly of Turkey, Mr...
  • Questions without Notice (0 speeches)
    • Home Insulation Program (2 speeches)
      My question is to the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and the Arts. I refer the minister to remarks made at his media conference last Friday by the Secretary of the Department of the...
    • Private Health Insurance (5 speeches)
      My question is to the Minister for Health and Ageing. How does the government plan to reform the private health insurance rebate and make it more sustainable for taxpayers?
    • Home Insulation Program (2 speeches)
      My question is to the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and the Arts. Given that at least 93 house fires have now been directly attributed to the faulty installation of roof insulation...
    • Income Support for Students Legislation (2 speeches)
      My question is to the Minister for Education, Minister for Employment and Workplace Relations and Minister for Social Inclusion. Minister, why is it important that the parliament pass the student...
    • Home Insulation Program (5 speeches)
      My question is to the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and the Arts. I refer the minister to his announcement on 10 February of the suspension of the foil insulation program and the...
    • Economy (6 speeches)
      My question is to the Treasurer. What has been the Reserve Bank’s recent commentary on the state of our economy and the economic debate in Australia?
    • Home Insulation Program (5 speeches)
      My question is to the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and the Arts. Did the minister read or receive a briefing on any part of the Minter Ellison report prior to receiving the full report...
    • Economy (4 speeches)
      My question is to the Minister for Human Services and Minister for Financial Services, Superannuation and Corporate Law. Minister, how are the government’s economic policies being received...
    • Home Insulation Program (5 speeches)
      My question is again to the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and the Arts. I refer the minister to his home insulation scheme which, despite the 20 warnings he received and ignored, has...
  • Minister for Environment, Heritage and the Arts (0 speeches)
    • Censure Motion (28 speeches)
      I seek leave to move a motion of censure against the minister for the environment.
  • Distinguished Visitors (0 speeches)
    • (2 speeches)
      16:02:16Order! The member for Dunkley’s outburst at the moment reminds me that he has brought to my attention that Bob Chynoweth, the former member for Dunkley, is in the gallery this...
  • Minister for the Environment, Heritage and the Arts (0 speeches)
    • Censure Motion (4 speeches)
      The original question was that the motion moved by the Leader of the Opposition be agreed to. To this the Leader of the House has moved as an amendment that all words after ‘That’ be...
  • Registrar of Members’ Interests (0 speeches)
    • (3 speeches)
      I wish to inform the House that, following a competitive selection process, Mr David Elder has been appointed as Deputy Clerk of the House. I am sure that members will look forward to working...
  • 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 and I move: That the House take note of...
  • Crimes Legislation Amendment (Torture Prohibition and Death Penalty Abolition) Bill 2009 (0 speeches)
    • Second Reading (9 speeches, 1 comment)
      Debate resumed from 11 February, on motion by Mr McClelland: 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.
  • Textile, Clothing and Footwear Strategic Investment Program Amendment (Building Innovative Capability) Bill 2009 (0 speeches)
    • Second Reading (4 speeches)
      Debate resumed from 25 November 2009, on motion by Dr Emerson: 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.
  • Families, Housing, Community Services and Indigenous Affairs and Other Legislation Amendment (2009 Measures) Bill 2009 (0 speeches)
    • Second Reading (5 speeches)
      Debate resumed from 25 November 2009, on motion by Ms Macklin: 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.
  • Health Insurance Amendment (Diagnostic Imaging Accreditation) Bill 2009 (0 speeches)
    • Second Reading (2 speeches)
      Debate resumed from 25 November 2009, on motion by Ms Roxon: That this bill be now read a second time.
  • Petitions (0 speeches)
    • (1 speech)
      On behalf of the Standing Committee on Petitions, and in accordance with standing order 207, I present the following petitions:
    • Responses; Banking (0 speeches)
      Dear Mrs Irwin Thank you for your letter of 17 September 2009 to the Minister for Competition Policy and Consumer Affairs concerning a petition about banking facilities in Trundle. Your letter...
    • Responses; Crown Pardon: Mr Morant, Mr Handcock and Mr Witton (0 speeches)
      Dear Mrs Irwin I refer to your letter dated 29 October 2009, forwarding a copy of a petition covering Messrs Morant, Handcock and Witton. The petition seeks posthumous pardons and a review of the...
    • Responses; Granite Belt Orchards (0 speeches)
      Dear Mrs Irwin Thank you for your letter of 25 November 2009 about a petition lodged with your committee to protect Queensland fruit orchards from flying foxes. I am responding as the Australian...
    • Responses; Northern Territory Intervention Strategy (0 speeches)
      Dear Mrs Irwin Thank you for your letter of 26 November 2009 about the petition received by the Committee in relation to the Northern Territory Emergency Response (NTER). I apologise for the...
    • Statements (1 speech)
      Tonight I speak as Chair of the Standing Committee on Petitions. Members may know that the committee has begun a new inquiry into the work of the committee. This is a review of the arrangements...
  • Committees (0 speeches)
  • Delegation Reports (0 speeches)
  • Parliamentary (Judicial Misbehaviour or Incapacity) Commission Bill 2010 (0 speeches)
    • First Reading (2 speeches)
      Bill and explanatory memorandum presented by Mr Kerr.
  • Wild Rivers (Environmental Management) Bill 2010 (0 speeches)
    • (0 speeches)
      Debate resumed from 8 February.
    • Second Reading (3 speeches)
      I move: That this bill be now read a second time. I am not accustomed to praising the Rudd government, but let me take this opportunity to say that probably one of the finest moments of the Rudd...
  • Adjournment (0 speeches)
    • (1 speech)
      Order! It being 9.30 pm, I propose the question: That the House do now adjourn.
    • Maranoa Electorate: Roads (1 speech)
      I rise tonight to express my great disappointment with this Labor government—specifically the attitude of the Minister for Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local...
    • Infrastructure; Petrie Electorate: Community Safety; ThinkUKnow Initiative; Internet Content (1 speech)
      Tonight I wish to speak on community safety, but before I do I have to make a few comments about what the member for Maranoa has just said. The reality is that the Rudd government has delivered...
    • Donor Conception Support Group of Australia (1 speech)
      Today the parliament was visited by members of the Donor Conception Support Group of Australia. I have recently become the patron of this organisation and pass on the sincere thanks of the Donor...
    • International Mother Language Day; Greek Language Education (1 speech)
      I rise to speak in support of the United Nations International Mother Language Day and to talk about the importance of including the Greek language in Australia’s national schools...
    • Cowan Electorate: Education (1 speech)
      I like going to schools in Cowan because that is where I get to see so much potential in one place. I get to see the boys and girls in Cowan who could one day achieve great things for our nation,...
    • Immigration (1 speech, 1 comment)
      In the inquiry currently being conducted by the Joint Standing Committee on Migration, which I chair, it is quite clear to me that some common-sense changes are needed to how our immigration...
  • Statements by Members (0 speeches)
    • La Trobe Electorate: Berwick Primary School (1 speech)
      I wish to talk about the Berwick Primary School, which relocated at the end of 2003 after more than 100 years at its former site on Peel Street. I had the great honour and privilege of being...
    • Petrie Electorate: Parliamentary Education (1 speech)
      I rise to say that the schools in my electorate of Petrie are certainly grateful for their halls and new resource centres. But what I wish to talk about in the brief time I have is the...
    • Solar Energy (1 speech)
      This government’s towering incompetence is causing enormous damage to hardworking small business people, who are also working families, in my electorate. One such company is Austech Solar,...
    • Blaxland Electorate: Schools (1 speech)
      It is easy to see the infrastructure that is rolling out in schools across the country. Every primary school, big and small, is now a construction site. In Blaxland it means more than $114...
    • Greenway Electorate: Water (1 speech)
      I rise to bring to the attention of the House the significance of the Blue Mountains and Hawkesbury region. Residents and businesses, people who choose to live and/or work in this region, choose...
    • Corio Electorate: Building the Education Revolution Program (1 speech)
      In my electorate there is a business called Ezyshades Australia. It is a Geelong based business that builds shade structures and awnings for both commercial and domestic use. The business started...
    • Clerk of the House of Representatives; McMillan Electorate: Bunyip Auditorium (1 speech)
      The member for Corio should look closely at how much he is being ripped off by the Victorian state government with the whole stimulus package with regard to education. However, I would like to...
    • Adelaide Electorate: Timothy Braund (1 speech)
      I rise today to acknowledge and celebrate the achievements of a remarkable young man who resides in Wayville, in the electorate of Adelaide. At the young age of 17, Mr Timothy Braund has an...
    • Gippsland Electorate: Bushfire (1 speech)
      I rise to pay tribute to the people of Gippsland, who have rallied to show their support for Black Saturday bushfire victims and their families on the occasion of the one-year anniversary of the...
    • Mr David Elder; Braddon Electorate: Botanical Resources Australia (2 speeches)
      Congratulations to David Elder on his appointment as Deputy Clerk of the House. I have worked with David over a number of years and really value his advice. I congratulate him very much. I want...
  • Appropriation Bill (No. 3) 2009-2010; Appropriation Bill (No. 4) 2009-2010 (0 speeches)
    • Second Reading (11 speeches)
      Debate resumed from 11 February, on motion by Dr Emerson: That this bill be now read a second time.
  • Statements by Members (0 speeches)
    • Forgotten Australians (1 speech)
      In November 2009 I made an apology speech in relation to Australian children in institutions. I outlined the terrible harm done to a constituent of mine, Sandra Pollard. She and other children...
    • Commemoration of the Bombing of Darwin (1 speech)
      On 19 February, I attended a commemorative service for the bombing of Darwin, organised by the Salisbury RSL. It was held at the Cross of Sacrifice memorial site in Salisbury. The bombing of...
    • Petition: Marriage (1 speech)
      Mr Deputy Speaker, I present a petition on behalf of Canning residents and Western Australians regarding the foundations of marriage. The petition has been considered by the Standing Committee on...
    • Blair Electorate: Bundamba State Secondary College (1 speech)
      On 15 February 2010, I attended the student leaders induction ceremony at my old high school, Bundamba State Secondary College. Bundamba State Secondary College is getting $200,000 as part of the...
    • Kingsway Rockets (1 speech)
      On Sunday, 21 February 2010 I visited the Kingsway Junior Football Club registration day. The Kingsway Rockets provide boys and girls from the Landsdale, Darch and Madeley suburbs an opportunity...
    • Ms Alison Lawrence (1 speech)
      I would like to acknowledge Alison Lawrence for the contribution she made to the Australian Labor Party and regional Western Australia. Alison was a determined woman who recently lost her battle...
    • Immigration: Klue Family (1 speech)
      I want to applaud the fact that visas were given to the Klue family, formerly from South Africa, who live in Buderim. Jannie and Amanda and their children, Jan-Sari and Pieter-Nick, arrived here...
    • Mr Jim Hennessy (1 speech)
      I rise to take note of the passing of Jim Hennessy. Jim was a dedicated trade unionist and a passionate advocate for the rights of working people. He was an active member of the Lindsay Your...
    • Australian Football League (1 speech)
      I too feel very comfortable in this committee room when you are in the chair, Mr Deputy Speaker Sidebottom, to support the member for Lyons and his compliments to you as well. I also understand...
    • Grafton Country Music (1 speech)
      As a fan of country music I would like to congratulate several established and up-and-coming exponents of the genre who have done the City of Grafton proud recently. The hugely talented Troy...
    • Forgotten Australians (2 speeches)
      I take this opportunity to mention that, following on from the Forgotten Australians apology, this Thursday in Perth there will be an apology from the British High Commissioner to the UK...
  • Private Members’ Business (0 speeches)
    • World Wetlands Day 2010 (6 speeches)
      Debate resumed, on motion by Ms Saffin: That the House:(1)notes the:(a)theme for World Wetlands Day 2010 is Wetlands, Biodiversity and Climate Change;(b)threat to wetlands from climate change and...
    • Pregnancy and Infant Loss Remembrance Day (5 speeches)
      Debate resumed, on motion by Mrs Gash: That the House:(1)notes:(a)the growing acceptance of 15 October in Australia as the Pregnancy and Infant Loss Remembrance Day;(b)that this day is officially...
    • Electronic Gaming Machines (5 speeches)
      Debate resumed, on motion by Mr Champion: That the House:(1)supports the Productivity Commission’s recommendation to:(a)lower the maximum bet limit per button push from $10.00 to $1.00 on...
    • Global Food and Water Security (3 speeches)
      Debate resumed, on motion by Mr Ripoll: That the House:(1)notes that:(a)global food prices have risen 83 per cent since 2005;(b)the World Bank’s 2008 Agriculture for Development report...
    • Proposed House Appropriations and Administrative Committee (3 speeches)
      Debate resumed, on motion by Mr Hawker: That the House adopt the following standing order, to appear between standing orders 216 and 217:House Appropriations and Administrative Committee(a)A...
  • Grievance Debate (0 speeches)
    • (1 speech)
      Debate resumed from 8 February.
    • Home Insulation Program (1 speech)
      I rise this evening to speak on issues of concern to my electorate, particularly how government policy action or inaction has adversely impacted on various groups within my electorate. Often...
    • Stimulus Package (1 speech)
      I want to take the opportunity in this debate to place on the record my appreciation for the efforts of the Rudd Labor government in its achievements in the last two years that have had a real...
    • Sewage Treatment (1 speech)
      Madam Deputy Speaker Burke, long before your time, in 1990 the member for Brisbane, who has just spoken, came into this House with me. During my maiden speech I mentioned that I was a product of...
    • Foreign Aid (1 speech)
      This evening I speak about the social challenges that face our global community and reflect on the efforts of both the Rudd government and members of my electorate of Lowe, who work towards...
    • Home Insulation Program; Green Loans Program (1 speech)
      I wish to address my remarks to one of the most costly and incompetently handled programs it has been my misfortune to witnesses since becoming a member of parliament. I refer of course to the...
    • Farming Sector Reform (2 speeches)
      I wish to take up a grievance I have regarding an article in today’s Australian Financial Review by Alan Mitchell entitled ‘Farming sector thirsts for reform’. Actually, it is...