House debates

Thursday, 21 November 2013

• Statement by the Speaker (0 speeches)
  • Hansard (1 speech)
    Yesterday, the Treasurer asked me whether I would consider making printing copies of Hansard available in the chamber to assist members during the course of question time. He specifically asked...
• Governor-General's Speech (0 speeches)
  • (4 speeches)
    Madam Speaker, in addressing this place for the first time, I add my voice to the chorus of congratulations on your election to the Speakership. I am proud to have voted to elect you as the first...
• Committees (0 speeches)
  • Electoral Matters Committee; Appointment (1 speech)
    I move: That: (1) a Joint Standing Committee on Electoral Matters be appointed to inquire into and report on such matters relating to electoral laws and practices and their administration as may...
  • Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade Joint Committee; Appointment (1 speech)
    I move: That: (1) a Joint Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade be appointed to inquire into and report on such matters relating to foreign affairs, defence and trade as may be...
  • Migration Committee; Appointment (1 speech)
    I move: That: (1) a Joint Standing Committee on Migration be appointed to inquire into and report on: (a) regulations made or proposed to be made under the Migration Act 1958; (b) proposed...
  • National Capital and External Territories Committee; Appointment (1 speech)
    I move: That: (1) a Joint Standing Committee on the National Capital and External Territories be appointed to inquire into and report on: (a) matters coming within the terms of section 5 of the...
  • National Disability Insurance Scheme Committee; Appointment (1 speech)
    I move: That: (1) a Joint Standing Committee on the National Disability Insurance Scheme be appointed according to the practice of the Parliament; (2) the committee: (a) review the implementation...
  • Parliamentary Library Committee; Appointment (1 speech)
    I move: That: (1) a Joint Standing Committee on the Parliamentary Library be appointed to: (a) consider and report to the President of the Senate and the Speaker of the House of Representatives...
  • Treaties Committee; Appointment (1 speech)
    I move: That: (1) a Joint Standing Committee on Treaties be appointed to inquire into and report on: (a) matters arising from treaties and related National Interest Analyses and proposed treaty...
  • Australian Commission for Law Enforcement Integrity Committee; Appointment (1 speech)
    I move: That: (1) in accordance with sections 213 and 214 of the Law Enforcement Integrity Commissioner Act 2006, matters relating to the powers and proceedings of the Parliamentary Joint...
  • Corporations and Financial Services Committee; Appointment (1 speech)
    I move: That: (1) in accordance with section 242 of the Australian Securities and Investments Commission Act 2001, matters relating to the powers and proceedings of the Parliamentary Joint...
  • Human Rights Committee; Appointment (1 speech)
    I move: That: (1) in accordance with section 6 of the Human Rights (Parliamentary Scrutiny) Act 2011, matters relating to the powers and proceedings of the Parliamentary Joint Committee on Human...
  • Law Enforcement Committee; Appointment (1 speech)
    I move: That: (1) in accordance with section 5 of the Parliamentary Joint Committee on Law Enforcement Act 2010, matters relating to the powers and proceedings of the Parliamentary Joint...
  • Constitutional Recognition of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples Committee; Appointment (1 speech)
    I move: That: (1) a Joint Select Committee on Constitutional Recognition of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples be appointed to inquire into and report on steps that can be taken to...
  • Northern Australia Committee; Appointment (1 speech)
    I move: That: (1) a Joint Select Committee on Northern Australia be appointed according to the practice of the Parliament; (2) the committee consider policies for developing the parts of...
• Bills (0 speeches)
  • Higher Education Support Amendment (Savings and Other Measures) Bill 2013; Second Reading (1 speech)
    I move: That this bill be now read a second time. The coalition government is committed to ensuring that Australia has a strong, high-quality university system now and in the years and decades to...
  • National Health Amendment (Simplified Price Disclosure) Bill 2013; Second Reading (1 speech)
    I move: That this bill be now read a second time. The National Health Amendment (Simplified Price Disclosure) Bill 2013 will amend the National Health Act 1953 to improve the operation of the...
  • Import Processing Charges Amendment Bill 2013; Second Reading (1 speech)
    I move: That this bill be now read a second time. The Import Processing Charges Amendment Bill 2013deals with legislative change to implement a revenue measure that was announced as part of the...
  • Clean Energy Legislation (Carbon Tax Repeal) Bill 2013, Ozone Protection and Synthetic Greenhouse Gas (Import Levy) Amendment (Carbon Tax Repeal) Bill 2013, Ozone Protection and Synthetic Greenhouse Gas (Import Levy) (Transitional Provisions) Bill 2013, Ozone Protection and Synthetic Greenhouse Gas (Manufacture Levy) Amendment (Carbon Tax Repeal) Bill 2013, True-up Shortfall Levy (General) (Carbon Tax Repeal) Bill 2013, True-up Shortfall Levy (Excise) (Carbon Tax Repeal) Bill 2013, Climate Change Authority (Abolition) Bill 2013, Customs Tariff Amendment (Carbon Tax Repeal) Bill 2013, Excise Tariff Amendment (Carbon Tax Repeal) Bill 2013, Clean Energy (Income Tax Rates and Other Amendments) Bill 2013, Clean Energy Finance Corporation (Abolition) Bill 2013; Second Reading (67 speeches)
    Sadly, today will be a very dark day in Australian history when we vote later on this Clean Energy Legislation (Carbon Tax Repeal) Bill 2013. It is quite Orwellian to have legislation before the...
• Motions (0 speeches)
  • Clean Energy Legislation (Carbon Tax Repeal) Bill 2013; Dissent from Ruling (67 speeches)
    I move: That the Speaker's ruling be dissented from. Madam Speaker, it is extraordinary for us now to be having a conversation about whether or not the parliament is allowed to debate what has...
• Bills (0 speeches)
  • Clean Energy Legislation (Carbon Tax Repeal) Bill 2013, Ozone Protection and Synthetic Greenhouse Gas (Import Levy) Amendment (Carbon Tax Repeal) Bill 2013, Ozone Protection and Synthetic Greenhouse Gas (Import Levy) (Transitional Provisions) Bill 2013, Ozone Protection and Synthetic Greenhouse Gas (Manufacture Levy) Amendment (Carbon Tax Repeal) Bill 2013, True-up Shortfall Levy (General) (Carbon Tax Repeal) Bill 2013, True-up Shortfall Levy (Excise) (Carbon Tax Repeal) Bill 2013, Climate Change Authority (Abolition) Bill 2013, Customs Tariff Amendment (Carbon Tax Repeal) Bill 2013, Excise Tariff Amendment (Carbon Tax Repeal) Bill 2013, Clean Energy (Income Tax Rates and Other Amendments) Bill 2013, Clean Energy Finance Corporation (Abolition) Bill 2013; Consideration in Detail (11 speeches)
    The question is that the bills be agreed to.
• Statements by Members (0 speeches)
  • Canberra Electorate: Sport (1 speech)
    In February this year, I stood in this place to sing the praises of the Canberra Cavalry, who had won the Australian Baseball Championship and brought the Claxton Shield to Canberra for the very...
  • Hinkler Electorate: Australian Export Awards (1 speech)
    Earlier this year, Bundaberg Brewed Drinks—the maker of Hinkler's iconic ginger beer—was named 2013 Queensland Exporter of the Year. As well as winning the award for manufacturing,...
  • Kingsford Smith Electorate: Laperouse Museum (1 speech)
    On 17 November, I had the great honour of attending the Friends of Laperouse Museum annual general meeting with my fellow patrons, the Consul General of France, Eric Berti and Don Harwin MLC of...
  • Apology to the Forgotten Australians and Former Child Migrants (1 speech)
    I remind the House that on 16 November last Saturday was the fourth anniversary of the apology to the forgotten Australians. Everyone remembers that day. It was an emotional time. I acknowledge...
  • Blair Electorate: Australia Post (1 speech)
    Earlier this week, the member for Ryan put a motion in relation to postcodes. I want to associate myself with her and commend her for doing so. Certainly in my electorate of Blair there is an...
  • Armenian Genocide (1 speech)
    I rise to express grave concerns that a House of Representatives committee room has today been used to advocate a revision of accepted history on the Armenian genocide. At the invitation of Labor...
  • Proceeds of Crime (1 speech)
    The previous Labor government, in its wisdom, established a proceeds of crime fund. The essence of the fund was to ensure that the ill-gotten gains from crime were recycled into community...
  • Australian Student Prize (1 speech)
    I am delighted to rise to congratulate the recipients of the 2012 Australian Student Prize in my electorate of Higgins. This is a significant honour which is awarded to the top 500 students...
  • Philippines: Typhoon Haiyan (1 speech)
    I rise today to acknowledge the fantastic work that is currently being done by the wonderful team of medical professionals currently on location in the Philippines. As you would all know, last...
  • Buy Local Campaign (2 speeches)
    I wish to raise today a campaign which has been kicked off in my electorate by a number of local newspapers as well as local councils. The Buy Local initiative is incredibly important. It...
• Statement by the Speaker (0 speeches)
  • Chamber: Social Media (1 speech)
    Before I ask for any questions without notice and then call the honourable the Prime Minister, I would just like to say that prior to members' statements there was a question raised about the...
• Statements on Indulgence (0 speeches)
  • National Security (7 speeches)
    I seek leave to make a short statement.
• Questions without Notice (0 speeches)
  • Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (3 speeches)
    My question is to the Minister for Industry. I refer the minister to the CSIRO, an organisation which is central to Australia's future prosperity for scientific achievement and innovation....
  • Carbon Pricing (7 speeches)
    My question is to the Prime Minister. Can the Prime Minister inform the House how lower electricity bills, because of the repeal of the carbon tax, will help Australian families get ahead. What...
  • Natural Disasters (19 speeches)
    My question is to the Minister for Justice. I refer to the disaster recovery payment provided by the former government to victims of natural disasters including victims of the Black Saturday...
  • Economy (2 speeches)
    My question is to the Treasurer. Will the Treasurer outline the impact of Labor's constant opposition to repealing the carbon tax, repealing the mining tax and cleaning up Labor's debt on the...
  • Road Infrastructure (3 speeches)
    My question is to the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Infrastructure and Regional Development. I refer to the statement by his assistant minister that the government is committed to the...
  • Fishing Industry (14 speeches, 1 comment)
    My question is to the Minister for Agriculture. I remind the minister that today is World Fisheries Day, to recognise and celebrate the sustainability of Australian fisheries. What impact has the...
  • Geilston Bay Sportsground (4 speeches)
    My question is to the Deputy Prime Minister. I refer to the more than $109,000 in funding granted by the former government to the Clarence City Council for the redevelopment of the Geilston Bay...
  • Foreign Investment (2 speeches)
    My question is to the Prime Minister. The media reports that GrainCorp buyer ADM has been prosecuted in America, Canada and Mexico for bribery and price fixing, a thousand million fine and three...
  • Carbon Pricing (9 speeches)
    My question is to the Minister for the Environment. I remind the minister that Colac Area Health's power bill has gone up by around $60,000, or 13 per cent, because of the carbon tax. How will...
  • Hospitals (4 speeches)
    My question is to the Minister for Health. Will the minister confirm that his government will fund the $100 million upgrade to the Royal Victorian Eye and Ear Hospital, a hospital which treats...
  • Child Care (19 speeches)
    My question is to the Assistant Minister for Education. As minister representing one of Australia's electorates, will the minister explain how the government's recently announced Productivity...
  • Budget (2 speeches)
    My question is to the Treasurer. Can the Treasurer advise the House of any correspondence he has received that will assist the parliament in its deliberations on the increase in the debt limit?
• Distinguished Visitors (0 speeches)
  • (1 speech)
    I would like to acknowledge in the gallery the students from the Centre for Defence and Strategic Studies and the Northern Territory Minister for Primary Industry and Fisheries, Minister for...
• Questions without Notice (0 speeches)
  • McEwen Electorate (2 speeches)
    My question is to the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Infrastructure and Regional Development. I refer to the more than $906,000 in funding granted by the former government to the City of...
  • Schools: Computers (10 speeches)
    Madam Speaker, my question is to the Minister for Education. I refer the minister to testimony of departmental officials in Senate estimates yesterday that the only review undertaken of the...
  • Ted Noffs Foundation (23 speeches)
    Madam Speaker, my question is to the Minister for Social Services. I refer to the grant of $85,000 made by the former government to the Ted Noffs Foundation for the upgrade of their community...
  • Broadband (2 speeches)
    My question is to the Minister for Communications. I remind the minister that new construction first started in Victoria Park in my electorate in October 2011 when residents were informed they...
  • Sikh Mission Centre (2 speeches)
    My question is to the Minister for Social Services. I refer to the grant of $10,000 made by the former government to the Sikh Mission Centre to purchase new equipment for the community. Why is...
  • Health (4 speeches)
    My question is to the Minister for Health. Is the minister aware of a media report on 19 November on the News Corp Australia network highlighting the use of health budget resources for a...
  • Textor, Mr Mark (5 speeches)
    My question is to the Prime Minister. I refer the Prime Minister to comments by Mr Mark Textor on the ABC before question time today. Why has not anyone from the government spoken to Mr Textor...
  • Superclinics (2 speeches)
    My question is to the Minister for Health. I refer the minister to the Caboolture GP superclinic that was promised for my electorate more than three years ago. Can the minister update the House...
  • Budget (8 speeches)
    My question is to the Prime Minister. I refer to the Prime Minister's commitment before the election that under the coalition there will be no cuts to health, no cuts to education and no change...
• Personal Explanations (0 speeches)
  • (14 speeches)
    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.
• Matters of Public Importance (0 speeches)
  • Taxation (3 speeches)
    I have today received a letter from the Leader of the Opposition concerning a discussion of a matter of public importance, namely: The Government prioritising tax breaks for some of the largest...
• Bills (0 speeches)
  • Clean Energy Legislation (Carbon Tax Repeal) Bill 2013, Ozone Protection and Synthetic Greenhouse Gas (Import Levy) Amendment (Carbon Tax Repeal) Bill 2013, Ozone Protection and Synthetic Greenhouse Gas (Import Levy) (Transitional Provisions) Bill 2013, Ozone Protection and Synthetic Greenhouse Gas (Manufacture Levy) Amendment (Carbon Tax Repeal) Bill 2013, True-up Shortfall Levy (General) (Carbon Tax Repeal) Bill 2013, True-up Shortfall Levy (Excise) (Carbon Tax Repeal) Bill 2013, Climate Change Authority (Abolition) Bill 2013, Customs Tariff Amendment (Carbon Tax Repeal) Bill 2013, Excise Tariff Amendment (Carbon Tax Repeal) Bill 2013, Clean Energy (Income Tax Rates and Other Amendments) Bill 2013, Clean Energy Finance Corporation (Abolition) Bill 2013; Consideration in Detail (17 speeches)
    I will continue my contribution. Let us consider the cost of the carbon tax on the people of Corangamite. In Geelong, perhaps the most carbon intensive city in the country, the carbon tax is...
  • Clean Energy Legislation (Carbon Tax Repeal) Bill 2013, Ozone Protection and Synthetic Greenhouse Gas (Import Levy) Amendment (Carbon Tax Repeal) Bill 2013, Ozone Protection and Synthetic Greenhouse Gas (Import Levy) (Transitional Provisions) Bill 2013, Ozone Protection and Synthetic Greenhouse Gas (Manufacture Levy) Amendment (Carbon Tax Repeal) Bill 2013, True-up Shortfall Levy (General) (Carbon Tax Repeal) Bill 2013, True-up Shortfall Levy (Excise) (Carbon Tax Repeal) Bill 2013, Climate Change Authority (Abolition) Bill 2013, Customs Tariff Amendment (Carbon Tax Repeal) Bill 2013, Excise Tariff Amendment (Carbon Tax Repeal) Bill 2013, Clean Energy (Income Tax Rates and Other Amendments) Bill 2013, Clean Energy Finance Corporation (Abolition) Bill 2013; Third Reading (1 speech)
    The question now is that the bills be read a third time. Question agreed to. Bills read a third time.
• Governor-General's Speech (0 speeches)
  • Address-in-Reply (1 speech)
    Three years ago I delivered my maiden speech in this place. Since that time I have spoken on many occasions because of my very firm view that this chamber is the very heart of representative...
• Questions without Notice: Additional Answers (0 speeches)
  • Hospitals (1 speech)
    On indulgence, I wanted to add to a question that I provided to the chamber in question time today. I was asked a question in relation to a Victorian project. I stated: The proposal was a $156...
• Adjournment (0 speeches)
  • Education (1 speech)
    I rise this afternoon to talk about the importance of education reform and to speak about how a stable needs based funding system is absolutely central to improving student outcomes. The...
  • Ukrainian Famine (1 speech)
    Madam Speaker, this is the first occasion in which I have had the opportunity to formally congratulate you on your appointment. I do take that opportunity and I am delighted to see you in the...
  • Electorate of Richmond (1 speech)
    I too take this opportunity to congratulate you, Madam Speaker, on your election to Speaker, at this first opportunity. Today, I want to talk about the impact of the new government's cuts in my...
  • SPC Ardmona (1 speech)
    I want to present a petition with 2,044 signatures to the House of Representatives. These were collected just before parliament was prorogued this year. I have been through the appropriate...
  • Sands, Mrs Eileen June, Lacey, Mr Chris (1 speech)
    I want to take the opportunity in the House today to pay tribute to two local constituents. Firstly, and very sadly, we recently lost a very dear and valued member of the...
  • Hasluck Electorate: Smithweld Ovens (1 speech)
      Some months ago I was approached by one of my constituents, Mr Mike Smith, who has a small business that manufactures welding ovens. Mr Smith has been in business for himself for 20...
• Constituency Statements (0 speeches)
  • Isaacs Electorate: Emergency Services (1 speech)
    Thousands of Country Fire Authority and State Emergency Service volunteers provide tremendous and selfless service to communities across Victoria. On 9 November I attended the Diamond Jubilee of...
  • Kalamunda Chamber of Commerce (1 speech)
    Last Saturday the Kalamunda Chamber of Commerce held their annual Business Excellence Awards night, recognising some of the leading businesses from my community. I want to congratulate Brian,...
  • Bushfires (1 speech)
    Last Thursday in the House I raised details of the fire that ravaged the Shortland electorate on 17 October. The fire was very intense in the Central Coast part of my electorate and also in the...
  • Ryan Electorate: Australia Day Awards (1 speech)
    I rise to acknowledge a number of outstanding Queenslanders who were named as state finalists for the 2014 Australian of the Year Awards. Among them were three individuals who play an important...
  • Parramatta Electorate: Commemoration (1 speech)
    On Sunday at 2pm I will join members of my community and officers and members of the Naval Association of Australia Parramatta Memorial Subsection at a service in honour of the men who served on...
  • Electorate of Reid: Lebanese Community (1 speech)
    Reid is one of the most multiculturally diverse seats in federal parliament. Fifty-five per cent of the people who live there are born overseas. One of the great communities that calls Reid home...
  • Hunter Medicare Local (1 speech)
    Earlier this month I had the pleasure of attending the 10th anniversary celebration of the Hunter Medicare Local's GP Access After Hours program. It was particularly good to welcome back the...
  • Petition: Australian Government Procurement (1 speech)
    I rise to present a petition which has been found to be in order by the Petitions Committee. It contains 4,300 signatures, which were achieved in just one week earlier this year. The petition has...
  • Throsby Electorate: Broadband (1 speech)
    Like a lot of offices in this place, my office has been inundated by questions from concerned constituents about the future rollout of the National Broadband Network and they are right to be...
  • Solomon Electorate: Achievement Awards (2 speeches)
    I rise this morning to celebrate the achievement of one of my very talented and hardworking constituents. Ms Yolande Morris, known to locals simply as 'Yo', has recently been awarded the National...
• Adjournment (0 speeches)
  • Schools Visit to Parliament House (1 speech)
    I rise today to speak about the schools that came to visit us yesterday here in Parliament House. I had the great privilege to welcome and speak with students of the following primary schools:...
  • Casey Electorate: Reefton CFA (1 speech)
    I want to take the opportunity this morning in this House to recognise and pay tribute to some great community builders in the Casey electorate. First, I would like to inform the House about the...
  • Forgotten Australians (1 speech)
    I rise today to remember a very significant moment in the history of our nation's history. On 16 November 2009, thousands of Australians came together here in Parliament House to witness our...
  • Swan Electorate: Science (1 speech)
    First I would like to acknowledge the member for Kingston for her acknowledgement of the fourth anniversary of the apology to the forgotten Australians and also the member for Jagajaga, who was...
  • Lalor Electorate: Sport (1 speech)
    I would like to speak today about my local VFL club, the Werribee Tigers and, in particular, a very important community program they run—the Wyndham Sporting Opportunities Project. The...
  • Hinkler Electorate: Celebrations (1 speech)
    This weekend I will attend the 125th anniversary celebrations of the Bundaberg Distilling Company. To mark the occasion the company will release 4,888 numbered bottles of limited edition...
  • Automotive Industry (1 speech)
    Seven hundred and fifty million dollars of research and development is spent directly or indirectly by the automotive industry a year—the largest amount of R&D of any industry in...
  • Jenkins, Ms Kim (3 speeches)
    Madam Deputy Speaker, I congratulate you on your elevation.
  • Indonesia (1 speech)
    Last night in the House the Leader of the Opposition spoke about the importance of 'team Australia' in our engagement with Indonesia. It is a phrase which the late great Senator Peter Cook used...
  • Vietnam (1 speech)
    I would like to speak today about a subject that I have spoken about on many occasions in the parliament—I think over 25 occasions now—and that is the state of democracy or the future...
  • Queensland Tennis Centre (1 speech)
    In just a few minutes the Ashes will begin about one kilometre outside my electorate—at the Gabba, in the federal seat of Griffith. Normally, the member for Griffith, the Hon. Kevin Rudd...
  • Small Business (1 speech)
    I rise today, as the newly re-elected member for Mitchell, to declare my service over the next three years for the small and medium business sector in my electorate of Mitchell. In Mitchell we...
  • Ballarat Electorate: Students' International Success (1 speech)
    I rise to congratulate students from Phoenix P-12 Community College in Ballarat for taking out the chequered flag in the Fl in Schools World Championships in Austin Texas last week. The Fl in...
  • Higgins Electorate (1 speech)
    The constituents of Higgins are well served by unique, vibrant strip shopping centres which in effect form a village for their local communities. The shopping, restaurants and nightlife of Chapel...
  • Armenian Genocide (2 speeches)
    One of the great things about Australian society and indeed about this parliament is the freedom to express and publish our views. We also enjoy certain rights of redress within the boundaries of...
  • Corio Electorate: Sport (5 speeches)
    I acknowledge the fine contribution of the parliamentary secretary, who made some very good points but was sadly misguided about what was the best region in Australia; that, of course, as we well...
  • La Trobe Electorate: Ferntree Gully CFA (1 speech)
    On Saturday, 16 November, I had the great pleasure of attending the Ferntree Gully CFA's annual dinner and presentations. The CFA at upper gully has a fantastic history, going back to 1926. I...