House debates

Thursday, 11 February 2016

  • Bills (0 speeches)
  • Committees (0 speeches)
    • Publications Committee; Report (1 speech)
      I present a report from the Publications Committee. Copies of the report are being placed on the table. Report—by leave—agreed to.
    • Privileges and Members' Interests Committee; Report (1 speech)
      In accordance with standing order 216, on behalf of the Committee of Privileges and Members' Interests, I present the report concerning the registration and declaration of members' interests...
    • Agriculture and Industry Committee; Membership (2 speeches)
      Mr Speaker has received advice from the Chief Government Whip notifying of a change in the membership of the Standing Committee on Agriculture and Industry.
  • Bills (0 speeches)
  • Parliamentary Representation (0 speeches)
    • Valedictory (5 speeches)
      Mr Speaker, I seek leave to make a short statement. Leave granted. Just a few moments ago I informed my Nationals colleagues that I intend to retire from federal parliament at the next election....
  • Business (0 speeches)
    • Rearrangement (1 speech)
      by leave—I move: That standing order No. 43 Member's Statements be suspended for this sitting. Question agreed to.
  • Parliamentary Representation (0 speeches)
    • Valedictory (6 speeches)
      by leave—The Deputy Prime Minister of Australia and the Minister for Infrastructure and Regional Development has given more than two decades of service to the Australian parliament and to...
  • Condolences (0 speeches)
    • Halverson, Hon. Robert George (Bob), OBE (3 speeches)
      It is my sad duty to inform the House of the death on Tuesday of this week of the Hon. Robert George 'Bob' Halverson, a member of this House for the division of Casey from 1984 until 1998 and...
  • Questions without Notice (0 speeches)
    • Turnbull Government (7 speeches)
      My question is to the Prime Minister. The government has lost 11 ministers in the last six months, and there is another minister still sitting here who should go. Given that it has been one year...
    • Economy (2 speeches)
      My question is to the Prime Minister. Will the Prime Minister please update the House on the resilience of the Australian economy, despite recent volatility in global markets? How are the...
    • Minister for Human Services (5 speeches)
      My question is to the Prime Minister. I refer to the Minister for Human Services' trip to China and the Prime Minister's previous answer. Isn't it the case that the Prime Minister has one choice:...
    • Economy (2 speeches)
      My question is to the Treasurer. Will the Treasurer advise the House of the importance of sound fiscal policy and strong economic management to our transitioning economy? How is the government...
    • Minister for Human Services (3 speeches)
      My question is to the Prime Minister. I refer to the Prime Minister's previous answers about the Parkinson inquiry. Will the Prime Minister table the following documents in parliament: the...
    • Taxation (6 speeches)
      My question, about the backpacker tax, is to the Treasurer. Treasurer, overseas workers in Australia will be stung with a higher income tax bill from July 2016 under the government's new...
    • China (8 speeches)
      My question is to the Minister for Foreign Affairs. Will the minister update the House on how her forthcoming visit to China will strengthen our economic relationship and help boost our domestic...
    • Minister for Human Services (12 speeches)
      My question is to the Prime Minister. I refer to the Minister for Human Services' trip to China. The department of foreign affairs has confirmed at Senate estimates today that a Chinese...
    • Tomato Imports (2 speeches)
      My question is to the Minister for Industry, Innovation and Science. I remind the minister that SPC is an iconic business and employer in my electorate. It has long been injured by Italian tinned...
    • Minister for Human Services (2 speeches)
      My question is to the Minister for Human Services. I refer to the minister's previous answers on the Parkinson inquiry. The Defence Security Manual states: Defence personnel … must not...
    • National Security (2 speeches)
      My question is to the Minister for Justice and Minister Assisting the Prime Minister on Counter-Terrorism. Will the minister update the House on what the government is doing to prevent...
    • Minister for Human Services (2 speeches)
      ) ( ): My question is to the Minister for Human Services. I refer to the minister's trip to China and his answer that he would fully assist with the Parkinson inquiry. Has the minister provided...
    • Taxation (5 speeches)
      My question is to the Minister for Small Business and Assistant Treasurer. Will the minister update the House on the tough action the government has taken to prevent multinational companies...
    • Minister for Human Services (4 speeches)
      My question is to the Minister for Human Services. I refer to the minister's previous answer on the Parkinson inquiry. Has the minister informed the Parkinson inquiry that when he wrote to the...
    • Drought (2 speeches)
      My question is to the Minister for Agriculture and Water Resources. Minister, as you know, much of my electorate is currently experiencing a one-in-100-year drought, particularly in the mid and...
    • Minister for Human Services (4 speeches)
      My question is to the Minister for Human Services. I refer to the minister's previous answers on the Parkinson inquiry. Did the minister inform the Parkinson inquiry of how he travelled to China,...
    • Small Business (2 speeches)
      My question is to the Minister for Industry and Innovation and Science. Minister, Omne Media is an innovative small business in my electorate of Ryan, which has beaten international competitors...
    • Minister for Human Services (5 speeches)
      My question is to the Prime Minister. I refer to the Minister for Human Services' trip to China. Is it the position of the current Prime Minister that the former Prime Minister authorised the...
  • Motions (0 speeches)
    • Prime Minister; Attempted Censure (37 speeches)
      I seek leave to move a motion of censure against the Minister for Human Services and the Prime Minister. Leave not granted. I move: That so much of the standing orders be suspended as would...
  • 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.
    • Pacific Parliamentary Partnerships; Presentation (1 speech)
      For the information of honourable members, I present the annual statement by the Presiding Officers on the Pacific Parliamentary Partnerships.
  • Matters of Public Importance (0 speeches)
    • Taxation (25 speeches)
      I have received a letter from the honourable member for Fraser proposing that a definite matter of public importance be submitted to the House for discussion, namely: The Government's failure on...
  • Bills (0 speeches)
  • Adjournment (0 speeches)
    • Government Procurement (1 speech)
      In recent times government expenditure has often been driven by job creation. Major projects have been brought forward and minimum local job content is being specified as a criterion for the...
    • O'Connor Electorate: Federal Funding (1 speech)
      I rise today to highlight and celebrate some of the funding the federal government has delivered to the O'Connor electorate over the parliamentary break. I would then like to discuss some of the...
    • Petition: Mobile Phone Services, Newcastle Electorate: RAAF Base Williamtown (1 speech)
      I have received a petition from 1,407 residents and visitors from the suburbs of Fern Bay and Fullerton Cove. This petition has been found in order by the Standing Committee on Petitions, and I...
    • European Wasps (1 speech)
      This weekend in Victoria, I very much look forward to going back into the beautiful Dandenong Ranges. I know, Mr Speaker, that you will too. It will be a great time to have barbecues, kick the...
    • Hammond, Mr Ben (1 speech)
      I want to tell the House again of the appalling situation that has arisen because of our failure to provide a national compensation scheme for those who take one for the team and suffer a rare...
    • Bennelong Electorate: Volunteering (1 speech)
      I would like to talk about the incredible, dedicated volunteers who live and work in Bennelong. Volunteers, while often unseen, form a backbone of our society. They care for people who have been...
  • Constituency Statements (0 speeches)
    • Oakley, Mr Ben (1 speech)
      I want to take the opportunity today to talk to the House about one of the most extraordinary and brave young men I know. His name is Ben Oakley, and he was in Canberra at Parliament House...
    • Maloney, Mr Arthur, Gibson, Mr Adrion, Betteridge, Ms Emily (1 speech)
      Last December, Arthur Maloney was recognised for his service to our community with the Premier's lifetime volunteer award for 55 years of community service. Arthur has been a boxing coach since...
    • National Broadband Network, Medicare (1 speech)
      Yesterday in the MPI I highlighted the problems with the NBN that have been experienced by constituents in the Shortland electorate. I highlighted the fact that the cost of the NBN had blown out...
    • Lyons Electorate: National Stronger Regions Fund (1 speech)
      I rise to congratulate the Southern Midlands Council, in my electorate of Lyons—in particular, general manager Tim Kirkwood, mayor Tony Bisdee, deputy mayor Alex Green and all of the...
    • Road Safety Remuneration Tribunal (1 speech)
      It has now been 670 days since the Abbott-Turnbull government was handed its review of the Road Safety Remuneration Tribunal, and we have still not seen the findings. Meanwhile a further review...
    • Bonner Electorate: Community Safety Initiatives (1 speech)
      Today I am pleased to update the chamber with fantastic news for residents in the Bonner suburb of Tingalpa. I am proud to announce that the new CCTV camera system at Minnippi Parklands is now...
  • Petitions (0 speeches)
    • Satah, Mr Behnam (1 speech)
      We are six days from the second anniversary of the brutal murder of the young Iranian Kurdish man, Reza Barati, at Manus Island's regional processing centre on 17 February 2014. Fellow detainee...
    • Swan Electorate: Sport (1 speech)
      My electorate is named after the Swan River, and anyone who has been to Perth would know that the Swan is a very popular spot for kayaking, canoeing and many other water sports with its flat,...
    • Federal Circuit Court of Australia (1 speech)
      The Federal Circuit Court of Australia was established to provide a simple and accessible form of justice as an alternative to the federal and other superior courts and the Family Court to...
    • Eifler, Mr Richard, Next Step (2 speeches)
      Over the past few years I have had the pleasure to get to know Richard Eifler, who is the CEO and founder of Next Step. Next Step is a youth outreach program that provides innovative programs to...
    • Age Pension (1 speech)
      People who have worked hard all of their lives to make our country great deserve dignity and respect in their retirement. When this government was elected, I would never have dreamed in my...
    • Broadband (1 speech)
      Christmas might have been over six weeks ago, but Labor members of parliament all around the country are still parading as economically irresponsible Santa Clauses, talking about the NBN going to...
    • Basslink (1 speech)
      I rise today to talk about a very serious issue affecting Tasmania. It is the ongoing energy crisis that has been mismanaged—appallingly—by the Liberal state government. Just before...
    • Banks Electorate: Clean Up Australia Day, Banks Electorate: Stronger Communities Program (1 speech)
      On 6 March this year it will be Clean Up Australia Day. In my local community in Banks one of the most important gatherings will be at Yeramba Lagoon in Picnic Point. Starting at 9 o'clock at...
    • Shipping (1 speech)
      Last month I met with Wayne Doleman, a seafarer for 35 years and also a proud member of the Maritime Union of Australia. He was deeply concerned with the way security guards mounted a secret...
    • Macquarie Electorate: Mobile Black Spot Program (1 speech)
      I rise to speak on the coalition government's $385 million Mobile Black Spot Program, which is delivering improved mobile coverage for residents in the electorate of Macquarie—indeed,...
    • Moreton Electorate: Western Magpies Australian Football Club (3 speeches)
      Last weekend was huge for Aussie Rules in Queensland, and Moreton in particular. The Sherwood Australian Rules club had its annual sign-on day over the Saturday and Sunday and their Brisbane...
    • Maranoa Electorate: Regional Online Heroes (1 speech)
      I rise today to put on public record some very exciting news and to congratulate two businesses in my electorate: Dingo Australia, located in Dalby in the eastern part of my electorate; and Tambo...
    • Climate Change (1 speech)
      The recent announcement of savage cuts to climate change research within the CSIRO demonstrates that, although the government may have changed its leader, the ill-informed policies of the former...
    • Australia's Healthy Weight Week (1 speech)
      On the eve of Australia's Healthy Weight Week, from February 15 to 21, I rise to update the House on priority health issues in the Gippsland electorate. One of my aims this year as the member for...
  • Ministerial Statements (0 speeches)
    • Trans-Pacific Partnership Agreement (5 speeches)
      Last Thursday, 4 February, trade ministers from Australia, Brunei, Canada, Chile, Japan, Malaysia, Mexico, Peru, New Zealand, Singapore, the United States and Vietnam gathered in Auckland where...
    • Closing the Gap (7 speeches)
      It is a privilege to speak on the Closing the gap report that was tabled yesterday in the parliament by the Prime Minister and addressed by the Prime Minister and the Leader of the Opposition....
  • Adjournment (0 speeches)
    • Greyhound Exports (1 speech)
      Animals Australia investigations revealed last year that greyhound industry participants have been exporting unwanted dogs to appalling conditions in South-East Asia. I wrote to Prime Minister...
    • Superannuation (1 speech)
      I wish to draw the attention of the House to an important issue, namely superannuation reform.A policy called 'Super for HELP' has been put to me by Ernst and Young economist John Adams. This...
    • Cunningham Electorate: Family Court (1 speech)
      I am taking the opportunity in the House today to put on the public record some real concerns in my local area about the support and staffing for our Family Court in Wollongong. It is a matter...
    • Calwell Electorate (1 speech)
      I gladly take this unplanned opportunity to make some contributions to the adjournment debate. I will start by wishing my wishing my son a very happy birthday today. I have missed Stavvie's...
    • Australian Defence Force Parliamentary Program (1 speech)
      The 26th of January signifies a special day in any Australian's diary. We love our country and our culture, and so many of us become citizens on this special day. Around Gilmore there are always...
    • Pholeros, Mr Paul (1 speech)
      Yesterday, we said goodbye to Paul Pholeros, renowned Australian architect, who died on 2 February 2016 after a short battle with illness. He was a pioneering figure in the interaction between...