House debates

Thursday, 16 May 2013

  • Motions (0 speeches)
  • Questions to the Speaker (0 speeches)
    • Pairs (1 speech)
      For the information of the House, yesterday the member for Barker raised with me the issue of pairing. I have spoken to the member for Barker and advise that this is not a matter for the chair,...
  • Ministerial Statements (0 speeches)
    • Afghanistan (3 speeches)
      by leave—The government is committed to providing regular updates to the parliament on Afghanistan generally, including detainee management, operational incidents and other issues...
  • Bills (0 speeches)
  • Committees (0 speeches)
    • Public Works Committee; Approval of Work (1 speech)
      On behalf the Special Minister of State, I move That, in accordance with the provisions of the Public Works Committee Act 1969, it is expedient to carry out the following proposed work which was...
    • Approval of Work (1 speech)
      On behalf of the Special Minister of State, I move: That, in accordance with the provisions of the Public Works Committee Act 1969 it is expedient to carry out the following proposed work which...
    • Reference; Reference (1 speech)
      On behalf of the Special Minister for State, I move: That, in accordance with the provisions of the Public Works Committee Act 1969, the following proposed work be referred to the Parliamentary...
    • Regional Australia Committee; Report (1 speech)
      On behalf of the chair of the Standing Committee on Regional Australia, the member for New England, I rise to present to the House the committee's report on its investigation into a possible...
    • Privileges and Members' Interests Committee; Report (1 speech)
      I present the report from the Committee of Privileges and Members' Interests concerning an application from Mr Matthew Joyce for the publication of a response to a reference made in the House of...
    • Publications Committee; Report (1 speech)
      I present the report from the Publications Committee sitting in conference with the Publications Committee of the Senate. Copies of the report are being placed on the table. I ask leave of the...
  • Bills (0 speeches)
  • Business (0 speeches)
    • Orders of the Day (1 speech)
      I move: That the following order of the day, private Members' business, be returned to the House for further consideration: No.10—Newstart Allowance. Question agreed to.
    • Rearrangement (1 speech)
      by leave—I move: That so much of standing and sessional orders be suspended as would prevent the following items of private Members' business being called on immediately in the following...
  • Private Members' Business (0 speeches)
  • Committees (0 speeches)
  • Statements by Members (0 speeches)
    • World Red Cross and Red Crescent Day (1 speech)
      Last Wednesday was World Red Cross and Red Crescent Day. Every year on 8 May we honour the birthday of Red Cross founder Henri Dunant and celebrate the work of Red Cross members, volunteers and...
    • Good Morning Bangladesh (1 speech)
      Earlier this month I was honoured to be invited to attend the Good Morning Bangladesh event along with the members for Greenway and Parramatta, the Mayor of Blacktown City Council, Len Robinson,...
    • Guide Dogs Victoria (1 speech)
      I rise to praise the work of the wonderful staff and volunteers at Guide Dogs Victoria. Recently I had the privilege of visiting Guide Dogs Victoria to celebrate International Guide Dog Day....
    • Moreton Electorate: School Closures (1 speech)
      I rise to speak on the distressing announcement from the heartless Queensland Liberal National Party government to close Nyanda State High School in my electorate. Nyanda's name comes from the...
    • Schizophrenia Awareness Week (1 speech)
      This week, from 12 to 18 May, is Schizophrenia Awareness Week. Schizophrenia is a major mental illness that affects up to one in 100 individuals across all populations. During Schizophrenia...
    • Bass Electorate: Launceston General Hospital (1 speech)
      I rise today to officially recognise and congratulate the Launceston General Hospital on its sesquicentenary, marking 150 years of caring, from 1863 to 2013. One of the oldest hospitals in...
    • Petition: Army Cadet Units (1 speech)
      For a very long time, the Australian Army Cadets have been a force for good amongst our youth populations and a source of recruits for our defence forces. So it was with great disappointment that...
    • Richmond Electorate: Marine Rescue New South Wales (1 speech)
      I rise today to speak about a fantastic event that occurred in my electorate: the launch of a new vessel for Marine Rescue at Brunswick Heads. That occurred today at the Brunswick Heads Boat...
    • Brisbane Electorate: Community Safety (1 speech)
      On 17 April I hosted a community safety roundtable with Michael Keenan, shadow minister for justice, customs and border protection; representatives from the Valley Chamber of Commerce, the Valley...
    • Central Coast Mariners (4 speeches)
      I rise to acknowledge in this place and put on the record the pride of the Central Coast in our very great win in the A-League Grand Final. We all cheer for yellow—the great Mariners from...
  • Questions without Notice (0 speeches)
    • Budget (17 speeches)
      My question is to the Prime Minister. Given that the budget will drive gross debt way past $300 billion, will the Prime Minister have the honesty to bring legislation raising the debt ceiling...
    • Asylum Seekers (14 speeches)
      My question is to the Treasurer. I remind the Treasurer that the budget projects a 90 per cent decline in illegal arrivals by boat over the forward estimates. This is based on a ten-year average...
    • Live Animal Exports (3 speeches)
      My question is to the Prime Minister. Prime Minister you have repeatedly ruled out ending live exports despite repeated revelations of systemic cruelty. Prime Minister, if you will not end the...
    • Families (4 speeches)
      My question is to the Minister for Families, Community Services and Indigenous Affairs and Minister for Disability Reform. What choice has the government made to ensure we have a fair family...
    • Budget (13 speeches)
      My question is to the Treasurer. I refer the Treasurer to his claim in the House yesterday that gross debt will 'peak' at $356 billion. Given that page 9-7 of his own Budget paper No. 1 reveals...
    • Infrastructure (4 speeches)
      My question is to the Minister for Infrastructure and Transport. Minister, how is the government making smarter and fairer investments in infrastructure to improve safety for people and...
    • Budget (20 speeches)
      (14 My question is to the Treasurer. I refer the Treasurer to his interview on Melbourne's 3AW yesterday with Neil Mitchell when he was asked, 'Will whoever win the next election need to raise...
    • New Zealand Budget (7 speeches)
      My question is to the Treasurer. I refer the Treasurer to the New Zealand budget, released a few hours ago, that forecasts faster economic growth, falling unemployment and a budget surplus one...
    • Workplace Relations (8 speeches)
      My question is to the Minister for Financial Services and Superannuation and Minister for Employment and Workplace Relations. How do the government's workplace policies make Australian workplaces...
    • Economy (7 speeches)
      My question is to the Treasurer. I refer to this statement from the world's largest accounting firm, PricewaterhouseCoopers: The measures announced tonight confirm we are still on a slow moving...
    • Aged Care (5 speeches)
      My question is to the Minister for Mental Health and Ageing, Minister for Housing and Homelessness, Minister for Social Inclusion and Minister Assisting the Prime Minister on Mental Health...
    • Budget (14 speeches)
      My question is to the Treasurer. Now that it is clear that the Treasurer's budget forecasts are based on a mining tax that is meant to increase tenfold to deliver the revenue over the next four...
  • Questions to the Speaker (0 speeches)
    • Questions in Writing (2 speeches)
      Madam Speaker, under standing order 105(b), I ask you to write to the Minister for Health to seek a reason for the delay in answering the following questions in writing that appear on the Notice...
  • Documents (0 speeches)
    • Presentation (1 speech)
      A document is tabled in accordance with the list circulated to honourable members earlier today. Full details of the document will be recorded in the Votes and Proceedings.
  • Auditor-General's Reports (0 speeches)
    • Report No. 35 of 2012-13 (1 speech)
      I present the Auditor-General's performance Audit report No. 35 of 2012-13 entitled Control of credit card use: Australian Trade Commission; Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet;...
  • Bills (0 speeches)
  • Documents (0 speeches)
    • Presentation (1 speech)
      For the information of honourable members, I present the government's report to parliament in response to the motion regarding heavily indebted poor countries judgement creditor legislation. I...
  • Committees (0 speeches)
    • Selection Committee; Report (1 speech)
      I present report No. 80 of the Selection Committee relating to private members’ business and referral of bills to committees. The report will be printed in Hansard for today. Copies of the...
  • Business (0 speeches)
    • Rearrangement (4 speeches)
      I ask leave of the House to move a motion relating to the adjournment of the House for the sitting.
  • Matters of Public Importance (0 speeches)
    • Budget (13 speeches)
      Mr Speaker has received a letter from the honourable Leader of the Nationals, the member for Wide Bay, proposing that a definite matter of public importance be submitted to the House for...
  • Ministerial Statements (0 speeches)
    • Anzac Centenary (2 speeches)
      (): Ministerial Statement on Planning for the Anzac Centenary 2014-18 I would like to inform the House of progress with preparations for the centenary of the First World War—the 'Anzac...
  • Bills (0 speeches)
  • Committees (0 speeches)
  • Business (0 speeches)
    • Rearrangement (1 speech)
      I move: That business intervening before order of the day No. 15, government business, be postponed until the next sitting. Question agreed to.
  • Bills (0 speeches)
  • Constituency Statements (0 speeches)
    • Adoption (1 speech)
      On 15 April I attended the Barnardos Mother of the Year ceremony in WA. There were three finalists: three ladies with impressive stories and impressive characters. All have done great things for...
    • Fire services (1 speech)
      On 6 April I met up with the New South Wales opposition leader, John Robertson, at Revesby Fire Station in the electorate of Banks. That day the fire station was closed. On 26 April I noticed...
    • National Volunteer Week (1 speech)
      This week is National Volunteer Week and today I would like to take this opportunity to acknowledge some of the hardworking volunteers in my electorate. In the lead up to National Volunteer Week,...
    • Live Animal Exports (1 speech)
      I rise on the issue of live animal exports, an issue that I first raised concerns about in this place some seven years ago. It is an issue that I have continued to advocate both within the...
    • Rotary Adventure in Citizenship Program (1 speech)
      I want to acknowledge the students here through the Parliamentary Exchange Office who are here on a Rotary Adventure in Citizenship. Welcome to the Federation Chamber. I trust you enjoy your time...
    • Anzac Day (1 speech)
      Anzac Day has a significant place in the hearts and minds of all Australians. It is an opportunity to take the time to pause and remember those who have given their lives so that we can enjoy the...
    • Personal Helpers and Mentors Program (1 speech)
      I rise today to speak about a great program funded by the Australian government, the Australian government Personal Helpers and Mentors program—PHaMs. Last month, I had the pleasure of...
    • O'Connor Electorate: Hockeyroos and Jillaroos (1 speech)
      I rise today to talk about a visit to Kalgoorlie recently by the Australian Ausdrill Hockeyroos and Jillaroos side. They visited Kalgoorlie last Thursday, Friday and Saturday. I would like to...
    • Tasmanian Forests Agreement, DisabilityCare Australia (1 speech)
      Good morning, colleagues. Lots of things have been happening in Tassie since we were here last, particularly in my region. First and foremost, the Tasmanian forests agreement has finally been...
    • National Volunteer Week (1 speech)
      I rise today to raise awareness, as some of my colleagues have, on Volunteer Week. Volunteer Week runs this week from 13 May to 19 May. This year's theme is to say 'Thanks a million'. If it...
    • Saluting Their Service Certificates (2 speeches)
      It was on honour for me on 26 April to present some local veterans with 'Saluting Their Service' certificates. It is important that we recognise these veterans for the work that they have done...
  • Motions (0 speeches)
    • Forced Adoption (2 speeches)
      It was my honour to be asked by the previous Attorney-General, Nicola Roxon, to be on the committee to draft the apology for forced adoption. It was a tough task. We were very ably led, but a...
  • Bills (0 speeches)
  • Adjournment (0 speeches)
    • Agriculture (1 speech)
      The south-west of Western Australia produces some of the best food and wine in the nation. Members already know of the iconic Margaret River and Geographe wine regions, but they should also be...
    • Griffith Electorate: Playing Fields (1 speech)
      I rise today to inform the parliament of the Liberal National Party's plans to privatise a number of school playing fields on Brisbane's south side. Unilaterally, the Liberal National Party...
    • Centenary of Anzac (1 speech)
      My comments today are slightly different from those of the member for Griffith, whom I follow, in that I am going to commend the federal government for one of its programs. I stand here today on...
    • Human Rights (1 speech)
      There can be no more important public discourse on human rights than that associated with the death penalty and the lives of our citizens. The right to life is a fundamental human right...
    • Parkes Electorate: Life Skills Mudgee, Slim Dusty (1 speech)
      I would like to raise two issues in the debate this morning. Firstly, I would like to draw the attention of the House to the situation that the Life Skills organisation in Mudgee find themselves...
    • Beef Industry (1 speech)
      Before I start on the contribution I am here to make, I want to give my absolute support to the honourable member for Parkes's proposal to make 13 June national Slim Dusty Day. I wish to put on...