House debates

Thursday, 16 August 2018

  • Bills (0 speeches)
  • Committees (0 speeches)
    • Public Works Committee; Reference (1 speech)
      On behalf of the Assistant Minister for Finance, I move: That, in accordance with the provisions of the Public Works Committee Act 1969, the following proposed work be referred to the...
  • Bills (0 speeches)
  • Committees (0 speeches)
  • Bills (0 speeches)
  • Statements by Members (0 speeches)
    • Australian Broadcasting Corporation (1 speech)
      The Liberals are waging the biggest war on the ABC in a generation. Despite promising no cuts to the ABC, they've cut $282 million from the ABC since 2014, with 800 jobs cut. This year, they cut...
    • Page Electorate: Ken Orr Memorial Shield (1 speech)
      The Coramba based Orara Valley Axemen and their fans enjoy a fiercely competitive rivalry with the Coffs Harbour Comets. The Axemen and the Comets have been battling for the Ken Orr Memorial...
    • Live Animal Exports (1 speech)
      I rise today to speak about the government's abject failure to deal with live sheep exports. This is an issue that hundreds if not thousands of my constituents have contacted me about, expressing...
    • Science (1 speech)
      Last week, I had the privilege of spending the morning with year 9 students at St Augustine's College in Cairns to participate in their STEM classes and activities. It absolutely amazes me what...
    • Sutton, Mr John (1 speech)
      I wish to congratulate Maroubra local and Rabbitohs legend John Sutton, who on 20 July this year played his 300th game for the pride of the league and the NRL's most successful team, the mighty...
    • Meningococcal Disease (1 speech)
      I was honoured to attend a special lunch in Brisbane a few weeks ago to raise funds and awareness to fight meningococcal. The Brisbane event was organised by Kirsten McGinty, a local mother who,...
    • Canberra Electorate: Multiculturalism (1 speech)
      Canberra is a culturally diverse people. Sixty thousand people living in my community were born outside of Australia; 20 per cent of them speak a language other than English at home; and almost...
    • National Science Week (1 speech)
      I wish to thank the Minister for Jobs and Innovation, Senator the Hon. Michaelia Cash, for visiting Lake Joondalup Baptist College in my electorate, as part of National Science Week, to promote...
    • Racism (1 speech)
      I and other members across parliament spoke yesterday to condemn the hateful words of a senator—and his words must indeed be condemned. But they can't be condemned in isolation, because...
    • Canning Electorate: Mandurah (1 speech)
      I rise today to call out the lies being peddled by all levels of the Labor Party in Mandurah, local, state and federal. Labor lie No. 1 is that public education in this nation has seen massive...
    • Broadband (2 speeches)
      Last night, thanks to the good work of my colleague the member for Lyons, we learnt of plans by NBN Co to slug customers on fixed wireless in regional Australia with an extra $20 per month in...
    • Member for Corio (1 speech)
      I raise concerns about a member of the Australian parliament who has refused to provide his constituents with a portrait of the Queen unless they answer a quiz about the Australian Constitution....
    • Cowan Electorate: St Stephen's School (1 speech)
      One of the great privileges that we get when we're in our constituency is to visit our schools. I've visited every school in my electorate of Cowan, and in this last break I had the great...
    • Petrie Electorate: Hospitals (1 speech)
      The federal coalition government has delivered increased funding for Metro North Hospital and Health Service by 38 per cent, which is good news for the residents in Petrie, in my area. The...
    • Lalor Electorate: Schools (1 speech)
      In the break I had my second student leaders forum for Lalor, and I wanted to share with the House that story today. I want to thank Nadia Bettio, who's the principal of the brand new Tarneit...
    • Western Australia: Goods and Services Tax (1 speech)
      It's good timing because the Treasurer has just walked into the chamber and I'm rising to talk about the GST and, more so, about how the coalition government has made the biggest reform to the...
    • Energy (1 speech)
      In a few moments, the Treasurer will jump up in question time and demand that the Labor Party support the National Energy Guarantee. This is despite the fact that they're unable to corral enough...
    • Great Barrier Reef Foundation (1 speech)
      Many in this place will be well aware of where the electorate of Capricornia is situated, but for those opposite, who always ignore the region, I will remind you. Capricornia is located in the...
    • Welfare Reform (2 speeches)
      In yet another shambolic chapter of government's ongoing botched robo-debt debacle, the Minister for Human Services was forced to make an embarrassing backdown. The Turnbull government's...
  • Questions without Notice (0 speeches)
    • Energy (6 speeches, 1 comment)
      My question is to the Prime Minister. Is the Prime Minister aware that the Assistant Minister to the Deputy Prime Minister, the member for Hinkler, has refused to deny reports that he's...
    • Cost of Living (4 speeches)
      My question is to the Prime Minister. Will the Prime Minister update the House on the actions the government is taking to reduce cost-of-living pressures, including in my electorate of Murray? Is...
    • Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (9 speeches)
      My question is to the Prime Minister. I refer to the Prime Minister's previous answer on PBS listings. How can the Prime Minister boast about the government's record when, in fact, this...
    • Taxation (2 speeches)
      My question is to the Deputy Prime Minister and the Minister for Infrastructure and Transport. Will the Deputy Prime Minister update the House on how tax relief for hardworking Australians is...
    • Prime Minister (2 speeches)
      My question is to the Prime Minister. Is the Prime Minister aware of media reports that, during a briefing on his energy policy, the Prime Minister said to the member for Warringah, 'Please do me...
    • Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Flags (12 speeches)
      Prime Minister, one of my constituents, an Indigenous man—
    • Economy (2 speeches)
      My question is to the Treasurer. Will the Treasurer please update the House on the release of today's jobs data? Treasurer, how is the government's economic plan creating more jobs while...
    • Energy (23 speeches)
      My question is to the Prime Minister. This morning the former Deputy Prime Minister, the member for New England, said of the Prime Minister's energy policy, 'I've heard the stories in the past...
    • Pensions and Benefits (7 speeches)
      My question is to the Prime Minister. The Prime Minister claims that his National Energy Guarantee will lower power prices by $150 by the 2020s by removing uncertainty. But the Prime Minister's...
    • Defence Industry (6 speeches)
      My question is to the Minister for Defence Industry. Will the minister update the House on how the government's strong management of the economy enables job-creating investment in our defence...
    • Economy (3 speeches)
      My question is to the Prime Minister. Wages growth has never been lower under any other Prime Minister. Australians are struggling with costs of living. Their out-of-pocket health costs are going...
    • Women: Economic Security (2 speeches)
      My question is to the Minister for Revenue and Financial Services and Minister for Women. Will the minister update the House on the steps the government is taking to improve women's economic...
    • Great Barrier Reef Foundation (2 speeches)
      My question is to the Treasurer. Gross debt is at record half a trillion dollars under this government. Why is the Treasurer giving away at least $11 million in public debt interest in the first...
    • Endometriosis (4 speeches)
      My question is to the Minister for Health. Will the minister update the House on action the government is taking to support the more than 700,000 Australian women currently living with the...
    • Great Barrier Reef Foundation (2 speeches)
      My question is to the Prime Minister. Can the Prime Minister confirm that, even under its own figures for private fundraising, it took the Great Barrier Reef Foundation more than 18 years to...
    • Construction Industry (11 speeches)
      My question is to the Treasurer. Can the Treasurer update the House on any recently initiated actions regarding cartel conduct in the construction industry?
    • Great Barrier Reef Foundation (7 speeches)
      My question is to the Prime Minister. It is now a matter of record that the Prime Minister offered the Brisbane based, private Great Barrier Reef Foundation almost half a billion dollars of...
    • National Security (10 speeches)
      I ask the Minister for Home Affairs if he would update the House on the importance of strong border protection measures for Australia. And, secondly, is he aware of any alternative plans that...
  • Documents (0 speeches)
    • Presentation (1 speech)
      Documents are tabled in accordance with the list circulated to honourable members earlier today. Full details of the documents will be recorded in the Votes and Proceedings.
  • Personal Explanations (0 speeches)
    • (6 speeches)
      The Deputy Leader of the Opposition has indicated she wishes to make a personal explanation.
  • Matters of Public Importance (0 speeches)
    • Rural and Regional Australia (24 speeches)
      I have received a letter from the honourable member for Whitlam proposing that a definite matter of public importance be submitted to the House for discussion, namely: The Government letting down...
  • Bills (0 speeches)
  • Adjournment (0 speeches)
    • Housing Affordability, Anning, Senator Fraser (1 speech)
      Tasmania is gripped by a housing availability and affordability crisis. Hobart is the second most unaffordable Australian city in which to rent. It has gone up by 15 per cent in 12 months....
    • Wright Electorate (1 speech)
      I think it's timely that I stand and acknowledge some of the amazing champions in my electorate and advocate how beautiful my electorate is: from the Gold Coast Hinterland, bordering up to...
    • Centrelink (1 speech)
      The government's attacks on Centrelink and ordinary Australians just keep getting worse and worse and worse. They've ruthlessly cut the Centrelink budget, leaving the service severely...
    • Queensland: Water (1 speech)
      Today, I want to talk about water infrastructure for North and South Burnett, two big shires in my electorate. In 2011 and 2013, we saw major floods of the Boyne and Burnett rivers and Barambah...
    • Bangladesh: Rohingya People (1 speech)
      Last week I had the privilege of visiting Bangladesh with a bipartisan delegation organised by Save the Children Australia. The aim of the visit was to provide a direct exposure to the Australian...
    • Sunshine Coast (1 speech)
      Like, I'm sure, every member of this House, I love my job. Sure, there may be those late nights and those early starts, and the travel away from home can sometimes get a little too much, but I...
  • Constituency Statements (0 speeches)
    • Broadband, Telecommunications (1 speech)
      The absence of connectivity has a profound effect on social and economic inclusion, and in many parts of the country—indeed, many parts of my electorate—it could literally be a matter...
    • Forrest Electorate: Lithium-Processing Plant (1 speech)
      WA is home to the world's most accessible new energy metals, such as lithium and rare earths—metals that are essential in energy storage devices. The American company Albemarle is planning...
    • Batman Electorate: Bell Primary School, Homelessness (1 speech)
      On Monday, a school in my electorate celebrated a very special birthday. Bell Primary turned 90. Bell opened its doors to students for the very first time in 1928. Some things have changed. A...
    • Wirraminna Environmental Education Centre (1 speech)
      There is a special event at Wirraminna Environmental Education Centre tomorrow and I'm looking forward to attending. It's located at Burrumbuttock, north-west of Albury. Wirraminna is an...
    • Petition: Uluru Statement from the Heart (1 speech)
      It's my pleasure to present a petition from the Social Justice Advocates of the Sapphire Coast in relation to the Uluru Statement from the Heart to this parliament. It is a great privilege to...
    • Gilmore Electorate: Dairy Industry (1 speech)
      On everyone's mind is the effect of the drought. I wrote to the retail giants, asking them to consider the way they price farming produce. I still haven't heard a thing, but I'm not leaving this...
    • Braddon Electorate: Telecommunications (1 speech)
      I rise today to address again an issue which is very important to the people of my electorate, but especially important to the people of Sulphur Creek, the west coast of Tasmania, King Island...
    • Energy (2 speeches)
      Australia is a nation rich in energy resources, including uranium, coal, gas and renewables. While Australia has an abundance of electricity-producing natural resources, it is inconceivable that...
    • British Pensions (1 speech)
      On behalf of the estimated 250,000 British pensioners resident in Australia, I call upon the Australian government to renew its diplomatic efforts to lobby the British government to index United...
    • Port Adelaide Electorate: Port River Dolphins (1 speech)
      The Port River in Adelaide is unique throughout the world as the only place where dolphins reside within a metropolitan city's limits. I am privileged to have my electorate office alongside the...
    • Murray Electorate: Employment (1 speech)
      The Turnbull government is supporting the needs of regional Australia through its skilled migration program, including the new temporary skills shortage, or TSS, visa, enabling regional employers...
    • Australian Broadcasting Corporation (1 speech)
      Last night I attended the ABC's showcase here in Parliament House to demonstrate my strong support for our national public broadcaster, particularly at a time when it's under attack by those...
    • Banks Electorate: Community Organisations (1 speech)
      On 4 August I attended the Oatley Football Club gala dinner, down in Kyle Bay. It was a fantastic night, with a large and enthusiastic crowd. The Oatley Football Club was formed in 1975 as part...
    • Migration (1 speech)
      I'm proud to represent the electorate of Werriwa for many reasons. Chief amongst them is that it is a strong, diverse, multicultural community. We recognise it, we celebrate it and we are...
    • Dunkley Electorate: Armistice Centenary Grants (1 speech)
      This year, 2018, marks the centenary of the end of World War I. In a few months, we'll be gathering at services all around the country to commemorate the centenary of the Armistice. Three...
    • Lilley Electorate: ALP Shield, Lilley Electorate: Welcoming the Babies (1 speech)
      This weekend in Lilley we have a double-header of family and community events. On Saturday I'll be proud to cheer on the under-sevens playing in the 2018 ALP Shield, which is hosted this year by...
    • Boothby Electorate: Roads, Boothby Electorate: Community Organisations (1 speech)
      It may have been quiet in the halls of this place over the midwinter recess, but it certainly wasn't quite in my electorate of Boothby. I was out and about in my community listening to my local...
    • Northern Territory: Population (1 speech)
      ) ( ): On 30 August, I'll be hosting a population forum with Charles Darwin University's Northern Institute. The event will kick off at 5 pm and is entitled 'Darwin—is bigger better?' It...
    • Hinkler Electorate: Stronger Communities Program, Hinkler Electorate: Superstars of STEM Program (2 speeches)
      I rise to speak on the Stronger Communities Program, which is now open for round 4. This has been an incredibly successful program inside my electorate: $150,000 to each federal electorate for...
  • Adjournment (0 speeches)
    • Centrelink (1 speech)
      Today, I want to call attention to the crisis unfolding in one of Australia's largest Commonwealth government departments, Centrelink. Centrelink is responsible for delivering some of the most...
    • Live Animal Exports (1 speech)
      I rise today to update the House on some of the activities and forums that were held around my electorate relating to the live export industry during the winter break. On 20 July, in my home town...
    • Oxley Electorate: Banking and Financial Services (1 speech)
      If it wasn't clear by now, the decision by Suncorp Bank to close the local Inala branch shows just how the big banks are putting profits before people. This follows the closure of branches in my...
    • New South Wales: Drought (1 speech)
      Most of New South Wales, and in particular the Calare electorate, is facing the worst drought in living memory. There are a number of issues relating to this crisis which need to be brought to...
    • Energy (1 speech)
      We saw in question time yesterday more of the confusion from this government on its energy policy—the National Energy Guarantee, or the NEG, as the government calls it. We heard yesterday...
    • HMAS Voyager (1 speech)
      Every year we stand for a minute's silence to remember those Australians who died fighting to protect the values and freedoms which we so dearly cherish. The soldiers we remember were brave...
    • Fremantle By-Election, Perth By-Election (1 speech)
      On Saturday, 28 July, when the voters of Fremantle and Perth in Western Australia turned out to vote in the by-elections, something was missing. Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull had gone missing....
    • The Village Observer (1 speech)
      () (): I rise today to celebrate the 25th anniversary of one of the great local institutions in my electorate, The Village Observer newspaper. The Village Observeris a much-loved local...
    • Greece: Fires (2 speeches)
      I rise today to speak on the unprecedented tragedy of the deadly fires in Athens recently. We all saw images and horrific stories coming out on our TV screens that laid bare the horrifying...
    • Women's Health (2 speeches)
      I rise this morning to commend the work of a local constituent from Warrandyte in my electorate, Dr Linda Worrall-Carter, who is not only the founder but the CEO of a relatively new...
    • Immigration (1 speech)
      There has been a lot of self-congratulation in this building today. Yesterday, the Leader of the Opposition showed the leadership that this country desperately needed by moving a motion to...