House debates

Thursday, 17 September 2015

  • Bills (0 speeches)
  • Business (0 speeches)
    • Withdrawal (1 speech)
      by leave—I move: That the following order of the day, government business, be discharged: Food Standards Australia New Zealand Amendment Bill 2015: Second reading—Resumption of...
  • Bills (0 speeches)
  • Committees (0 speeches)
    • Publications Committee; Report (1 speech)
      I present a report from the Publications Committee sitting in conference with the Publications Committee of the Senate. Copies of the report have been placed on the table. Report—by...
  • Bills (0 speeches)
  • Business (0 speeches)
    • Rearrangement (1 speech)
      by leave—I move: That orders of the day nos. 4, 5 and 6, government business, be postponed until a later hour this day. Question agreed to.
  • Committees (0 speeches)
    • Public Works Committee; Approval of Work (1 speech)
      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 referred to the Parliamentary Standing...
  • Bills (0 speeches)
  • Statements by Members (0 speeches)
    • Turnbull Government (1 speech)
      It has been a momentous week in this building. We are approaching the end of a parliamentary week in which we saw, on its first day, on Monday, a change of the Prime Minister of this nation. On...
    • Calare Electorate: Polling Booths (1 speech)
      I would to take the opportunity to raise my concern over the proposed closure of polling booths, particularly those in the Calare electorate. I was recently contacted by the Australian Electoral...
    • Health Services (1 speech)
      I would like to welcome to this chamber today CEO, Marg Bennett, and board chair, Brendan Schutt, from Northeast Health, based in Wangaratta and servicing most of north-east Victoria. Their...
    • Bass Electorate: Netball (1 speech)
      We have got quite a few world champions in Launceston and I would like to tell the House about the most recent world record holders from my home town. They are the members of the Generation...
    • Turnbull Government (1 speech)
      For almost the entire time this government has been in office, it has been an absolute disaster. It has been a disaster for the economy, a disaster for education, a disaster for manufacturing and...
    • Solomon Electorate: Sport (3 speeches)
      I rise today to speak about Midnight Basketball in my electorate of Solomon. Midnight Basketball is a national, community-run program—and I see the member for Rankin knows all about...
    • Turnbull Government (1 speech)
      I will ask the House a question today: when is a progressive not a progressive? The answer: when they become an ultra-conservative Prime Minister. This Prime Minister, this new shiny Prime...
    • Flynn Electorate: Sport (1 speech)
      Today I want to add my support to all the Northern Districts Rugby League teams in my electorate. They had a pretty tough season. They have a lot of South Sea Islanders in those teams now. The...
    • Turnbull Government (1 speech)
      On Tuesday it was revealed that Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull had transferred oversight of the Murray-Darling Basin from the environment minister to the agriculture minister, Barnaby Joyce,...
    • Barker Electorate: Sport (1 speech)
        I rise today to speak about the success of the Mount Gambier Pioneers as winners of the South East Australian Basketball League this year. The Mount Gambier Pioneers are a much loved...
    • Kingsford Smith Electorate: Health Funding (1 speech)
      The Liberals' cuts to health care in our community just keep on coming. At the Prince of Wales Hospital, our local community hospital, the New South Wales Liberal government and the federal...
    • Hinkler Electorate: Australia Post (1 speech)
      When the Torbanlea licensed post office closed suddenly two weeks ago, I gave a commitment that I would work to ensure local postal services were restored as soon as possible. As such, I was in...
    • Turnbull Government, Bendigo Electorate: Employment (1 speech)
      Malcolm Turnbull's policies are exactly the same as Tony Abbott's. This weekend we were going to launch in Bendigo our Save Local Jobs campaign, and we had done all the preparation of material....
    • Lynch, Professor Stephen, AC (1 speech)
      Today I am delighted to have the opportunity to highlight the extraordinary contribution to medicine in Australia and the world by Professor Stephen Lynch AC. Professor Lynch is in Canberra...
    • Australian Public Service (1 speech)
      I rise today on behalf of public servants in Canberra and right across the country who have been fighting this government for more than 18 months over their enterprise agreements. The employment...
    • Petrie Electorate: Sport (1 speech)
      When I was seven years of age, I started judo. I did judo for many, many years and I achieved my shodan black belt and represented Queensland. When I left school, I went for a job at a place...
    • Turnbull Government (1 speech)
      What difference does it make that the member for Wentworth has replaced the member for Warringah as our Prime Minister? This is what people in my electorate want to know. They want to know what...
    • Grey Electorate: Coalmining (1 speech)
      I have spoken on a number of occasions recently about the closure of the coal fired power stations at Port Augusta that are owned by Alinta and the effect on that community, and also the Leigh...
    • Turnbull Government (3 speeches)
      This week, the nation woke up to the news that the Liberal Party had sacked the previous Prime Minister and we now had a new Prime Minister, the former Minister for Communications. Australian...
  • Questions without Notice (0 speeches)
    • Turnbull Government (26 speeches)
      My question is to the Prime Minister. Given that it has taken only two days for the Liberal cabinet to start leaking again, doesn't this just prove that, even though there is a new Liberal...
    • Economy (18 speeches)
      My question is to the Prime Minster.
    • Turnbull Government (2 speeches)
      Mr Speaker, my question is to the Prime Minister. I refer to the leak of a cabinet document marked 'Protected: Sensitive: Cabinet'. Is it government policy that there will be personal and...
    • Infrastructure (11 speeches)
      Mr Speaker, my question is to the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Infrastructure and Regional Development. Will the minister update the House on infrastructure developments in my home...
    • Turnbull Government (5 speeches)
      Mr Speaker, my question is to the Prime Minister. In his press conference on Tuesday, the former Prime Minister gave an assurance that he had never leaked or backgrounded against any of his...
    • Infrastructure (2 speeches)
      My question is to the Prime Minister. Prime Minister, people clearly have faith in you to make things happen. Can you justify that faith by: building, with the Queensland government, the rail...
    • Trade with China (5 speeches)
      My question is to the Minister for Foreign Affairs. Will the minister update the House on the competitive advantage which the China-Australia Free Trade Agreement will yield for Australian...
    • Turnbull Government (17 speeches)
      My question is to the Prime Minister. On Monday, the former Liberal Premier of Victoria, Jeff Kennett, described the Prime Minister as 'an individual who has always put self-interest before...
    • Economy (2 speeches)
      My question is to the Treasurer. Will the Treasurer inform the House of the benefits of the government's economic plan to the people of Western Australia and explain how a stronger budget will...
    • Budget (7 speeches)
      My question is to the current Treasurer. In the Treasurer's first budget, he slugged Australians with a GP tax. In his second budget, he locked in $80 billion of cuts to schools and hospitals....
    • Trade with China (2 speeches)
      My question is to the Minister for Trade and Investment. Will the minister advise the House on the importance of Australia's competitive position when our China-Australia free trade agreement is...
    • Turnbull Government (9 speeches)
      My question is to the Minister for Defence. Does the minister stand by his statement on Monday about the Prime Minister: To bring on a leadership challenge within days - what is it, five days -...
    • Migration (6 speeches)
      My question is to the Minister for Immigration and Border Protection. Will the minister update the House on the role of the 457 visa in creating jobs and building the economy? How does engagement...
    • Minister for Immigration and Border Protection (5 speeches)
      My question is to the current Minister for Immigration and Border Protection. In noting that last performance, I refer to reports that the minister texted the Prime Minister offering his...
    • Safer Streets Program (5 speeches)
      My question is to the Minister for Justice. Will the minister update the House on how the government's Safer Streets Program is making our community safer and is addressing the previous...
    • Water (24 speeches)
      My question is to the Prime Minister. As a former water minister and now Prime Minister, is he satisfied that the Shenhua mine project in the agriculture minister's electorate poses no threat to...
    • Schools (2 speeches)
      My question is to the Minister for Education and Training. Will the minister update the House on the success of the Independent Public Schools program in Western Australia? How is the government...
    • Budget (14 speeches)
      My question is to the Prime Minister. Can the Prime Minister confirm that the final budget outcome figures provided by the Treasurer earlier in question time mean that, compared to when the...
    • Green Army Program (3 speeches)
      My question is to the Minister for the Environment. Will the minister update the House on how the Green Army is improving the environment and job opportunities for young people in electorates...
    • Turnbull Government (10 speeches)
      My question is to the Prime Minister. I refer to the Prime Minister's earlier answer today: 'The government policies are sound; all of the government's policies have my support.' Can the Prime...
    • Pensions (5 speeches)
      My question is to the Minister for Social Services. Will the minister update the House on the government's plans to support pensioners across Australia? How is the government helping pensioners...
  • Auditor-General's Reports (0 speeches)
    • (1 speech)
      I present the annual report of the Australian National Audit Office for 2014-15. Ordered that the report be made a parliamentary paper.
  • Documents (0 speeches)
    • Presentation (1 speech)
      A document is 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)
    • National Broadband Network (20 speeches)
      I have received a letter from the honourable member for Blaxland proposing that a definite matter of public importance be submitted to the House for discussion, namely: The Prime Minister's...
  • Committees (0 speeches)
    • Parliamentary Joint Committee on Human Rights; Report (1 speech)
      On behalf of the Chair of the Parliamentary Joint Committee on Human Rights, I present the committee's report entitled Human Rights Scrutiny Reporttwenty-eighth report of the 44th Parliament, and...
  • Bills (0 speeches)
  • Adjournment (0 speeches)
    • The Sharing Economy (1 speech)
      This has been a week in which the national spotlight has focused almost exclusively on the game of politics. We have seen a spill and a new Prime Minister, and now speculation about a new...
    • National Police Remembrance Day (1 speech)
      Each year, 29 September holds special significance for police and their families throughout Australia, New Zealand, Papua New Guinea, Samoa and the Solomon Islands. It is a day to pause and...
    • Migration (1 speech)
      In 2005 John Howard had been Prime Minister for nearly a decade and did not look particularly vulnerable. But then he decided to ramp up Australia's migration intake. Net overseas migration...
    • National Disability Insurance Scheme (1 speech)
      I rise today to celebrate the historic signing of the National Disability Insurance Scheme by the Commonwealth, New South Wales and Victorian governments in Canberra. I also acknowledge the...
    • Domestic Violence (1 speech)
      Following the dismissal of the former Prime Minister Abbott by the Liberal party room earlier this week, there has been much conjecture about ministerial responsibilities, reshuffles, demotions...
    • NSW Police Force, Dobell Electorate: Policing (2 speeches)
      I do concur with the member for Newcastle and join her in her commitment to raising awareness about domestic violence. In my home state of New South Wales, the NSW Police Force protects and keeps...
  • Constituency Statements (0 speeches)
    • Red Cross Blood Service (1 speech)
      I want to talk to the House about a very important event I attended on 2 September with one of my great staffers, Alison Byrnes, and our partners Paul Scully and Gino Mandarino. We joined the...
    • Cowan Electorate: Community Initiatives (1 speech)
      They say imitation is the most sincere form of flattery, so I thank all the South Ward Labor councillors of the City of Wanneroo for basically imitating my initiatives. I speak of how they tried...
    • Medical Workforce (1 speech)
      Yesterday, I had the pleasure of meeting one of my constituents, Laura Raiti, who is a fourth-year Doctor of Medicine student at the University of Melbourne. Laura and the Australian Medical...
    • Banks Electorate (1 speech)
      I recently attended the Marist College Penshurst advisory council meeting. The school is currently transitioning from being a boys only school to a coeducational school and is also transitioning...
    • Holt Electorate: Combatting Terrorism (1 speech)
      On 23 September last year terrorism visited by electorate. On the evening of 23 September a young man tried to kill two police officers by stabbing them to death and, had he been successful,...
    • Herbert Electorate: Trade with China (1 speech)
      I was in the chamber yesterday when Andrew Robb was putting forward the legislation enabling the China-Australia Free Trade Agreement. It was a set of bills which removes tariffs. There are no...
    • Griffith Electorate: Schools (3 speeches)
      It is a pleasure to rise to tell the parliament about a few of the schools in my local electorate that are celebrating some significant milestones. I have spoken previously in this House about a...
    • Leichhardt Electorate: Aged Care (1 speech)
      On 21 September Australia's largest private aged-care provider, Bupa Aged Care, will welcome it first residents into its newest home, Bupa Cairns. With room to care for 144 residents, including...
    • Greenway Electorate: Sport (1 speech)
      I rise to mention the outstanding sporting achievements of Patrician Brothers' College, Blacktown, and specifically their rugby league team who made it to the GIO Schoolboy Cup grand final for...
    • Corangamite Electorate: Environment (1 speech)
      I rise to express my dismay and deep concern over the decision by the Australian Fisheries Management Authority, AFMA, to overturn the night ban on the mid-size trawler, the Geelong Star. For...
    • Ballarat Electorate: Sports (3 speeches)
      Last weekend was the opener of the Australian Football League finals. My own home was deeply divided between the ever faithful Richmond supporters—me—having to concede defeat to the...
    • Workplace Relations (1 speech)
      A lot of very regrettable and avoidable argument goes on in this place between unions and employers, when in reality workers and their bosses get on well 99 per cent of the time. What we have in...
    • Rural and Regional Australia, Hunter Electorate: Lang, Dr Donald (1 speech)
      On behalf of my constituents and those who live in rural and regional Australia right across this great country I want to express my concern about a very serious misleading of them by the...
    • Capricornia Electorate: Beef Industry (1 speech)
      Rockhampton, Australia's real beef capital, forms an important part of our nation's beef and cattle industry economy. Indeed, this title is recognised by the fact that every three years our city...
    • Bendigo Electorate: Multiculturalism (1 speech)
      Last night there were scenes in Bendigo that should be condemned by all of us. The City of Greater Bendigo held a council meeting and the meeting was interrupted by quite violent threats of...
    • Ryan Electorate: Innovation (1 speech)
      One of the great privileges of being the member for Ryan is being able to celebrate the achievements of many of our residents. Ryan is full of educated, smart and innovative people. I am...
    • Lalor Electorate: Infrastructure (1 speech)
      The day after former Speaker Bishop was on every front page photographed exiting a helicopter, having taken a short ride from Melbourne to Geelong, now Prime Minister Turnbull tweeted his...
    • National Disability Insurance Scheme (1 speech)
      I rise to acknowledge the milestone announced by the coalition government this week in rolling out the National Disability Insurance Scheme, and I am pleased to confirm that the Central Coast is...
    • Canberra Electorate: Broadband (1 speech)
      I rise today to speak about an issue that is affecting tens of thousands of Canberrans—that is, the lack of decent internet connection. In June I hosted an NBN community forum with the...
    • Gippsland Electorate: Youth Allowance (2 speeches)
      I rise to speak in relation to an issue which I know is dear to your heart, Deputy Speaker Broadbent, and that is the system of student income support, commonly referred to as Youth Allowance,...
  • Adjournment (0 speeches)
    • Broadband (1 speech)
      I have lost count of the number of times I have stood in this place and raised the issue of the National Broadband Network. In Lalor, in our high-growth community, there have been no new areas...
    • Bass Electorate: Infrastructure (1 speech)
      I remind the member for Lalor and the member for Canberra that there was a back-of-the-envelope calculation with the former Prime Minister, Mr Rudd, and Mr Conroy, on the NBN, which was totally...
    • Defence Housing: Seaward Village (1 speech)
      I rise today to speak about a number of concerns that have been raised with me about the future of Seaward Village, at Swanbourne in Western Australia. Seaward Village is owned by Defence Housing...
    • Trade with China (5 speeches)
      I rise today in this adjournment debate to add to the discussion regarding the China-Australia Free Trade Agreement or ChAFTA as we like to call it. I have particularly enjoyed question time over...
    • Trade with China, Plebiscites (1 speech)
      Yesterday in the foreign affairs committee we heard similar pro-China sentiments to the ones we just heard. I look more towards Australia's traditional allies. I do see that there are differences...
    • Childhood Cancer (1 speech)
      Cancer, as we all know, is a killer. I for one know this too well with family members and friends suffering from this insidious disease. The impact we all know is incredible. That is why, this...
    • Education Funding (1 speech)
      As shadow minister for Indigenous affairs I have travelled to many remote communities around the country. As I have gone around to those communities and looked at some of the schools in some of...
    • Higgins Electorate: Very Special Kids Hospice, Safer Streets Program (1 speech)
      On 12 June I was absolutely delighted to be part of the coalition government's announcement about providing $4 million to Very Special Kids, to enable them to pursue the purchase of their...
    • Denison Electorate: Jobs Growth (1 speech)
      I made the point in question time yesterday, and I am going to make it again today, that both the Liberal Party and the Labor Party have regrettably both given up on job creation in the Glenorchy...
    • Capricornia Electorate (2 speeches)
      I want to focus now on the northern part of my electorate of Capricornia. Recently, I was joined by Senator Matthew Canavan and Senator James McGrath at the launch of my new office in Sarina. The...
    • Water (1 speech)
      I rise today on an issue that I have been passionate about my entire life. I have raised it in this parliament from my first speech and will continue to do so for as long as I am here. That is...
    • Multiculturalism (1 speech)
      I rise to speak on the notion of selective multiculturalism as the way forward in modern Australian society. Historically, the policy in Australia on the issue of multiculturalism has been...
    • Shortland Electorate: Centrelink and Medicare (1 speech)
      When I speak in the adjournment debate, I like to raise issues that are very prevalent within the electorate I represent. In Shortland, one of the biggest issues in recent times has surrounded...
    • Hinkler Electorate (1 speech)
      This is been a week of highs and lows, of losses and triumphs, but I will leave it to the commentators or so-called experts to pick everything apart. Today, rather than focus on any of the...
    • Taxation (1 speech)
      This Liberal-National government is the best friend multinational tax avoiders have ever had. The contrast here with Labor's record in government could not be starker. Labor has a proud record of...
    • Flynn Electorate: Industry (1 speech)
      Today I rise to talk about industry, the costs for industry and the alarming rise of electricity prices in my electorate of Flynn and in Queensland as a whole. As we settle into the FTAs that we...
    • Liberal Party Leadership (1 speech)
      What an extraordinary week it has been in politics. I feel really lucky to have had this adjournment booked in for some time so that I can provide some reflections on this extraordinary turn of...
    • Electorate of Canning: By-election (1 speech)
      There are two days to go until the Canning by-election in my home state of Western Australia, and all of the pressure is on the WA branch of the Labor Party following their worst performance on...