House debates

Wednesday, 31 October 2012

  • Distinguished Visitors (0 speeches)
    • (1 speech)
      I inform the House that we have present in the gallery this morning the ambassador from Afghanistan. On behalf of the House, I welcome him here today. Honourable members: Hear, hear!
  • Ministerial Statements (0 speeches)
    • Afghanistan (4 speeches)
      by leave—Eleven years ago, under Taliban rule, terrorists trained freely in Afghanistan to kill Australians and to attack our ally the United States. Today, international terrorism finds no...
    • Reference to Federation Chamber (1 speech)
      by leave—I move: That the order of the day be referred to the Federation Chamber for debate. Question agreed to.
  • Documents (0 speeches)
    • Afghanistan; Presentation (1 speech)
      In the course of her remarks, the Prime Minister indicated that I would also update the House today on detailed developments in Afghanistan. I table my fifth report to the parliament this year.
  • Bills (0 speeches)
  • Statements on Indulgence (0 speeches)
    • Selection Committee (23 speeches)
      Mr Deputy Speaker, I rise on a point of order. Standing order 222(iii) states that the Selection Committee: … select bills that the committee regards as controversial or as requiring...
  • Bills (0 speeches)
  • Committees (0 speeches)
    • Human Rights Committee; Report (1 speech)
      On behalf of the Parliamentary Joint Committee on Human Rights, I present the committee's sixth report, entitled Examination of legislation in accordance with the Human Rights (Parliamentary...
    • Corporations and Financial Services Committee; Report (2 speeches)
      () (): On behalf of the Parliamentary Joint Committee on Corporations and Financial Services I present the committee's report entitled Statutory oversight of the Australian Securities and...
    • Treaties Committee; Report (1 speech)
      On behalf of the Joint Standing Committee on Treaties I present the committee's report, incorporating a dissenting report, entitled Report 130: treaty tabled on 14 August 2012. In accordance with...
  • Bills (0 speeches)
    • Fair Work Amendment Bill 2012; Second Reading (28 speeches)
      I rise to speak on the Fair Work Amendment Bill 2012. It absolutely astounds the coalition that this legislation, which was introduced at I think 4.30 yesterday afternoon, has now appeared on the...
  • Statements by Members (0 speeches)
    • Million Hearts, One Voice (1 speech)
      I rise in support of freedom and democracy in Vietnam. There is a campaign called Million Hearts, One Voice which is campaigning for democracy in Vietnam and calling for the release of all...
    • Petrie Electorate: Cancer Council Relay for Life (1 speech)
      I rise today to congratulate everyone involved in making the Cancer Council Relay for Life at Redcliffe a tremendous success last weekend. My team, the Petrie Possums, and I donned our walking...
    • Aarons, Mr Joe, OAM, Lawn Bowls (1 speech)
      While much has been said in this place about the significance of Australia's temporary seat on the UN Security Council, let me assure the House that that is not the only place where Australia...
    • Storm, Ms Emmalee (1 speech)
      On 26 October I had the pleasure of being at the Queen's Scout Awards presentation for Emmalee Storm at the Gisborne Scout Hall. Emmalee started with the Venturers 'off the street' in February...
    • North Queensland Opera and Music Theatre (1 speech)
      Just recently, I went to a North Queensland Opera and Music Theatre production of Hairspray at the Townsville Civic Theatre. It was a truly fantastic event. Sarah Murr was absolutely word perfect...
    • Petition: Research and Development (1 speech, 3 comments)
      The Australia in the Asian century white paper released by the government correctly puts an emphasis on innovation and research, particularly in our universities, as one of the pathways to...
    • Driver's Licences (1 speech)
      A driver's licence is critical to everyday life for most Australians. That is why I am so concerned about a new standard introduced by Austroads and the National Transport Commission that may...
    • Atkinson, Commissioner Robert, APM (1 speech)
      I rise to pay my respects to retiring Police Commissioner Bob Atkinson, as he today retires after 44 years in the Queensland Police Service—many of those years spent in the bush—and...
    • Wheat Exports (1 speech)
      The proposed GrainCorp buyout would put 100 per cent of eastern Australia's grain exports in foreign hands. Is this in the national interest? Worried grain growers in the Riverina do not think...
    • Petition: Parliamentary Behaviour (2 speeches)
      At its recent triennial conference in Canberra, the National Council of Women of Australia presented me with a petition demanding 'a more civil and dignified approach to parliamentary debate at...
  • Condolences (0 speeches)
  • Questions without Notice (0 speeches)
    • Prime Minister (4 speeches)
      My question is to the Prime Minister. I remind the Prime Minister of her pre-election promise that there would be 'no carbon tax under a government I lead'. I also remind her that the very next...
    • Asia: Education (2 speeches)
      My question is to the Prime Minister. How is the government strengthening our education links with Asia by helping Australian students to study in the region?
    • Economy (12 speeches)
      My question is to the Treasurer. I remind the Treasurer that he has promised to deliver a surplus this year on over 150 occasions, including stating, 'We've got our colours nailed to the mast,'...
    • Asian Century (7 speeches)
      My question is to the Treasurer. How is the government making sure that the Australian economy and working people will be the winners in the Asian century?
    • North Queensland (5 speeches)
      My question is to the Prime Minister. Given her halving of Murray-Darling agriculture and the nit—I will try that again!
    • Infrastructure (8 speeches)
      My question is to the Minister for Infrastructure and Transport representing the Minister for Broadband. Will the minister explain how our infrastructure investments, including the national...
    • Broadband (12 speeches)
      My question is to the Treasurer. I remind him that MYEFO provided for an additional $20 million this year to address misconceptions about the NBN. Why is the government spending over $3,000 in...
    • Murray-Darling Basin (2 speeches)
      My question is to the Prime Minister. How is the government getting on with the job of securing the future of the Murray-Darling Basin?
    • Prime Minister (17 speeches)
      My question is to the Prime Minister. I remind the Prime Minister of her statement on 23 August that Ralph Blewitt personally provided the funds for the purchase of a Fitzroy property in 1993. I...
    • Murray-Darling Basin (2 speeches)
      My question is to the Minister for Sustainability, Environment, Water, Population and Communities. What steps does a government need to follow in order to put together a plan to restore the...
  • Distinguished Visitors (0 speeches)
    • (1 speech)
      Before I call the next speaker, I inform the House that we have present in the gallery this afternoon members of a parliamentary delegation from the People’s Republic of China. On behalf of...
  • Questions without Notice (0 speeches)
    • Fair Work Act (5 speeches)
      My question is to the Prime Minister. I remind the Prime Minister that the former federal president of the Labor Party, Michael Williamson, has been charged with fraudulently misappropriating...
    • Workplace Relations (8 speeches)
      My question is to the
    • Superannuation Funds (4 speeches)
      My question is to the Prime Minister. I remind the Prime Minister that the former ALP national president, Mr Michael Williamson, was until recently a director of First State Super, appointed by...
    • Wheat Exports (8 speeches)
      My question is to the Minister for Sustainability, Environment, Water, Population and Communities, representing the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry. Will the minister update the...
    • Mining (6 speeches)
      My question is to the Treasurer. I refer the Treasurer to the heads of agreement with the three big mining companies in July 2010, which states that 'any royalties paid and not claimed as a...
    • Carbon Pricing (4 speeches)
      My question is to the Minister for Climate Change and Energy Efficiency and Minister for Industry and Innovation. Minister, the carbon price has now been in place for almost four months. We saw a...
  • Questions without Notice: Additional Answers (0 speeches)
    • Asian Century (6 speeches)
      Madam Speaker, I seek the indulgence of the chair to add to an answer.
  • Personal Explanations (0 speeches)
    • (6 speeches)
      Madam Speaker, I seek to make a personal explanation.
  • Questions to the Speaker (0 speeches)
    • Privilege (5 speeches)
      Madam Speaker, I have now decided to raise a matter of breach of privilege. I wish to raise a matter of breach of privilege in question time today, which is contempt of the parliament. In...
  • Questions without Notice: Additional Answers (0 speeches)
    • Asian Century (6 speeches)
      I seek the indulgence of the chair to add to an answer.
  • Personal Explanations (0 speeches)
    • (7 speeches)
      Madam Speaker, I wish to make a personal explanation.
  • Documents (0 speeches)
    • Presentation (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...
  • Committees (0 speeches)
    • Selection Committee; Report (1 speech)
      I present report No. 70 of the Selection Committee relating to the consideration of committee and delegation reports and private members’ business on Monday, 26 November 2012. The report...
  • Matters of Public Importance (0 speeches)
    • Asylum Seekers (14 speeches)
      I have received a letter from the honourable member for Cook proposing that a definite matter of public importance be submitted to the House for discussion, namely: The adverse impact on the...
  • Bills (0 speeches)
  • Committees (0 speeches)
    • Appointment (1 speech)
      I move: (1) a Joint Select Committee on Constitutional Recognition of Local Government be appointed to inquire into and report on the majority finding (financial recognition) of the Expert Panel...
    • Selection Committee; Report (1 speech)
      On behalf of the Speaker I present report 71 of the Selection Committee, relating to the consideration of committee and delegation business and private members' business on Monday 26 November...
  • Bills (0 speeches)
    • Fair Work Amendment Bill 2012; Second Reading (6 speeches)
      It gives me great pleasure to rise tonight to talk on the Fair Work Amendment Bill 2012, because it really shows this government up for what it is: a tricky and untrustworthy government. The...
  • Adjournment (0 speeches)
    • Homeownership (1 speech)
      I rise tonight to speak on the very important issue of homeownership following a visit from a constituent of mine, Howard Ryan, who has written to me and visited me on many occasions. I come from...
    • Newcastle Electorate: Hunter Institute of TAFE (1 speech)
      I rise to inform the House of the outstanding results that the Hunter Institute of TAFE is achieving locally in Newcastle and on a national and international scale. I recently attended the...
    • Road Safety (1 speech)
      I rise in this adjournment debate to discuss an issue that is causing growing frustration in the community, and that is road rules and, in particular, various state governments' focus on the use...
    • Armenian Genocide (3 speeches)
      'Who remembers the Armenians?' This is the phrase that presaged genocide. They were Hitler's words to Oberkommando der Wehrmacht in the Obersalzberg on the eve of the Second World War in 1939,...
  • Bills (0 speeches)
  • Adjournment (0 speeches)
    • (1 speech)
      I move: That the House do now adjourn. Question agreed to.
  • Constituency Statements (0 speeches)
    • Meals on Wheels (1 speech)
      Meals on Wheels is a familiar name to all Australians and it is at the heart of many communities across the country, including the Ryan electorate. Meals on Wheels has been active across...
    • Blair Electorate: River Heart Parklands (1 speech)
      In mid-October 2012 it was my privilege to officially open River Heart Parklands stage 2, including the Bob Gamble Park, on the King Edward Parade side of the Bremer River in the City of Ipswich,...
    • Parliamentary Friends of Small Business (1 speech)
      I have the privilege of announcing to the House that last night saw the launch of the Parliamentary Friends of Small Business group. The group was co-launched by Gai Brodtmann, the member for...
    • Deakin Electorate: Great Ryrie Primary School (1 speech)
      On 24 August this year, I had the great pleasure of officially opening the new sports and performance centre at Great Ryrie Primary School in my electorate of Deakin. Great Ryrie Primary School...
    • Bradfield Electorate (2 speeches)
      Earlier this year, the Prime Minister engaged in some remarkable attacks on the people of Sydney's north shore, including the constituents of Bradfield, my electorate. On 9 May 2012 on Sky News,...
    • Kennedy Electorate: Sikhs (1 speech)
      I rise today to speak on behalf of those very patriotic and great Australians whose forebears migrated from the Punjab, mainly, in India—the Sikhs. Our soldiers fought beside them. My great...
    • Men's Sheds (1 speech)
      Yesterday I attended the Australian Men's Shed Barbecue on the front lawn of Parliament House. It was a great day with hundreds of men's shed members from across the country descending on...
    • Morris, Mr Ivan, Halvorson, Aunty Mavis (1 speech)
      Many in our electorate of Chifley were saddened recently to hear of the passing of two special individuals. In this place, we have an opportunity to reflect on large figures who shape public...
    • China Study Tour (1 speech)
      It is with pleasure that I rise this morning to discuss my recent study tour of China, Hong Kong and Macau. As a former small business owner, it was important for me to undertake a study tour in...
    • DisabiliTEAs (2 speeches)
      Last Friday, I attended two disability teas within my electorate, one at Camp Breakaway, and one at the San Remo Neighbourhood Centre. Camp Breakaway is a camp where people with disabilities and...
  • Condolences (0 speeches)
    • Bilney, Mr Gordon Neil (5 speeches)
      Gordon Neil Bilney, who died on Sunday aged 73, was a straightshooter and someone with whom you knew where you stood. So said Noel Hicks from Griffith this morning when I telephoned him to talk...