House debates

Monday, 15 October 2018

  • Business (0 speeches)
    • Federation Chamber (1 speech)
      I advise the House that the Deputy Speaker has fixed 4 pm for the meeting of the Federation Chamber on Monday, 22 October 2018, unless an alternative hour is fixed.
  • Committees (0 speeches)
    • Petitions Committee; Report (1 speech)
      Today I present the 30th report of the Petitions Committee for the 45th Parliament, together with 19 petitions and three ministerial responses to petitions previously presented.
  • Petitions (0 speeches)
    • Responses (1 speech)
      I present the following ministerial responses to petitions previously presented:
    • Statements (1 speech)
      Throughout the 45th Parliament, the committee has approved over 350 electronic petitions and close to 300 paper petitions. The petitions I present today demonstrate the range of issues that have...
  • Bills (0 speeches)
  • Private Members' Business (0 speeches)
    • Royal Commission into Aged Care Quality and Safety (15 speeches)
      I move: That this House: (1) notes that: (a) the Government is asking the Governor-General to establish a Royal Commission into the Aged Care Sector; (b) this Royal Commission will primarily look...
  • Bills (0 speeches)
  • Committees (0 speeches)
    • Economics Committee; Report (6 speeches)
      On behalf of the Standing Committee on Economics I present the following reports: Review of the Reserve Bank of Australia Annual Report 2017 (Second Report), and Review of the Australian...
    • Economics Committee; Reference to Federation Chamber (1 speech)
      I move: That the order of the day be referred to the Federation Chamber for debate. Question agreed to.
    • National Broadband Network Committee; Report (1 speech)
      On behalf of the Joint Standing Committee on the National Broadband Network, I present a progress report of the committee. Report made a parliamentary paper in accordance with standing order...
  • Bills (0 speeches)
  • Statements by Members (0 speeches)
    • Canberra Electorate: Drones (1 speech)
      The drone delivery trial in Bonython is still going and residents are getting increasingly fed up. Since I did a callout last month, feedback about the drone trial has not slowed down. In fact,...
    • Pidcock, Father Paul (1 speech)
      I would like to acknowledge Father Paul Pidcock, who is retiring after 62 years of faithfully serving the school community of St John's College, Woodlawn, in Lismore. Father Pidcock first arrived...
    • Immigration Detention (1 speech)
      It is my sad obligation today to recognise in this chamber the recent statement from Medecins Sans Frontieres about refugees and asylum seekers in Australian-funded facilities on Nauru. Upon...
    • Canning Electorate (1 speech)
      It has been a hive of activity in Canning these past three weeks. We've had the Serpentine and Jarrahdale Country Fair and Jarrahdale Log Chop; the Waroona Show and the Perth Hills Live Lighter...
    • Energy (1 speech)
      No doubt, like most Australians—like the residents of Eden-Monaro and, no doubt, the residents of Indi, as I see the member for Indi in the chamber here today—the good voters of...
    • Western Australia: Telethon (1 speech)
      We are heading for a very important and very special weekend in Western Australia—and no, I'm not talking about the Taylor Swift concert! What I'm talking about is Telethon. Generations of...
    • Northern Territory: Relationship with Indonesia (1 speech)
      Our north Australian communities have for centuries or longer traded with our northern neighbours, and we want to see those relationships grow into the future. I was very proud to establish the...
    • Indi Electorate: Vocational Education and Training (1 speech)
      Colleagues, there are some very special guests in the gallery today. I'd like to acknowledge leaders from Sacred Heart College in Yarrawonga and FCJ College Benalla. I acknowledge in particular,...
    • Great Australian Round Up (1 speech)
      I'm here to talk about the Great Australian Round Up and I'm not talking about question time. I'm talking about stock handling and cow work; I'm talking about a dry work program; I'm talking...
    • Lalor Electorate: India-Africa Festival (1 speech)
      I rise today to commend both African Media Australia and the Forum for Indian Australians on their wonderful India-Africa Festival held on 22 September in the electorate of Lalor. It was a great...
    • Cantello, Lieutenant George (1 speech)
      A fortnight ago I had the special privilege of meeting Don Cantello of the USA at Hammondville, on the site where Don's father, Lieutenant George Cantello, commander of the 41st Pursuit Squadron...
    • National Carers Week (1 speech)
      Today marks the start of National Carers Week, a week dedicated to recognising and commending the contribution of unpaid carers to our country. They're usually family and friends who make a great...
    • Teachers (1 speech)
      In last week's Q&A show but also in an opinion piece of mine in The Australian last week, we examined the plight of Australian teachers. It's a surmountable but still very serious workplace...
    • Payday Loans (1 speech)
      It's 1,165 days—that is how long this government has known there has been a problem with the loan sharks in the out-of-control payday loans industry in this country. In that time, the...
    • Brisbane Electorate: 42 for 42 (1 speech)
      In Brisbane on Wednesday I attended a special and, at times, emotional community fundraising lunch for a group known as the 42 for 42. That name stands for the 41 soldiers killed in Afghanistan,...
    • Lindsay Electorate: Frocktober (1 speech)
      One woman dies every eight hours from ovarian cancer. It is the ninth-most-common cancer and the most lethal of all the gynaecological cancers. It has few warning symptoms and no early detection...
    • Showcase WA (1 speech)
      I rise today to welcome some special guests who have flown in from WA to help myself and the member for Burt for Showcase WA. The PM will open the event in the Mural Hall just after 6 pm, with...
    • Climate Change (1 speech)
      Last week the UNIPCC released a groundbreaking report on the dangers of climate change and the urgent need for the entire world to act in coalition to reduce climate change to only rising by...
    • AFL Grand Final (4 speeches)
      I want to congratulate the West Coast Eagles on their fourth premiership win in a classic AFL thriller of a grand final. It was a heart-stopping last five minutes. The Eagles never dropped their...
  • Condolences (0 speeches)
    • Cunningham, Mr Barry Thomas (1 speech)
      I inform the House of the death on Wednesday, 12 September 2018 of Barry Thomas Cunningham, a member of this House for the division of McMillan from 1980 until 1990 and from 1993 until 1996. As a...
  • Statements on Indulgence (0 speeches)
    • West Gate Bridge (3 speeches)
      On indulgence, I rise today to remember an Australian tragedy and to remember those who were lost. On this day 48 years ago, Australians watched in horror as the West Gate Bridge collapsed during...
  • Questions without Notice (0 speeches)
    • Morrison Government (2 speeches)
      My question is to the Prime Minister. The Prime Minister has complained that voting for anybody but the Liberals in Wentworth will destabilise his government. But didn't this Prime Minister...
    • Economy (2 speeches)
      My question is to the Prime Minister. Will the Prime Minister outline to the House how the government's actions to keep our economy strong are working to keep Australia together, keep Australians...
    • Discrimination (6 speeches)
      My question is to the Prime Minister. This morning, when asked about laws which allow discrimination against LGBTI teachers, the Treasurer said: I don't think these laws are right and I do think...
    • Economy (2 speeches)
      My question is to the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Infrastructure, Transport and Regional Development. Will the Deputy Prime Minister update the House on how strong economic management...
    • Discrimination (5 speeches)
      My question is to the Prime Minister. I ask the Prime Minister again: will the Prime Minister join with Labor to ensure that teachers can't be sacked just because of who they are or who they love?
    • Immigration Detention (4 speeches)
      My question is to the Prime Minister. Prime Minister, my electorate of Indi expects our government to show compassion, mercy and justice. There have been claims and counterclaims about the...
  • Distinguished Visitors (0 speeches)
    • (1 speech)
      I inform the House that joining us in the gallery this afternoon is Mr Marcelino Gonzalez, First Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs, the Republic of Cuba. He is accompanied by His Excellency Mr...
  • Questions without Notice (0 speeches)
    • Economy (2 speeches)
      My question is to the Treasurer. Will the Treasurer outline to the House how our government is delivering strong economic growth for all Australians, including in my electorate of Brisbane? What...
    • Religious Freedom Review (2 speeches)
      My question is to the Prime Minister. Given members of the Prime Minister's government are already leaking large parts of the secret Ruddock review into religious freedoms which the government...
    • Small Business (2 speeches)
      My question is to the Minister for Jobs, Industrial Relations and Women. Will the minister update the House on how the government is delivering for small and family businesses? What are the...
    • Schools (2 speeches)
      My question is to the Prime Minister. Last time the parliament sat, the Prime Minister guaranteed that all school funding deals would be agreed with the states by 4 October, the date of the...
    • Trade (2 speeches)
      My question is to the Minister for Defence Industry, representing the Minister for Trade, Tourism and Investment. Will the minister update the House on how the government's ambitious trade agenda...
    • Education Funding (2 speeches)
      My question is to the Prime Minister. The Prime Minister has finally admitted that he was wrong to cut funding from Catholic and independent schools. Why won't the Prime Minister also admit he...
    • Drought (4 speeches)
      My question is to the Prime Minister. What further action has the government taken to support farmers and regional communities and businesses in the grip of drought? Prime Minister, what are the...
    • Schools (2 speeches)
      My question is to the Prime Minister. Does the Prime Minister agree with the member for Bowman that his government is 'yet to provide a compelling alternative' to Labor's plan to invest $14...
    • Defence Procurement (6 speeches)
      My question is to the Minister for Defence. Will the minister update the House on how the government is ensuring Australia's national security by increasing defence spending to two per cent of...
    • Education (2 speeches)
      My question is to the Treasurer. Earlier this month the Minister for Education claimed, 'The government has guaranteed preschool funding.' But page 32 of Budget Paper No. 3 shows there is no...
    • Crime (2 speeches)
      My question is to the Minister for Home Affairs. Will the minister please update the House on steps the government is taking to protect Australian families from transnational and organised crime?...
    • Agriculture Industry (2 speeches)
      My question is to the Prime Minister. On Saturday, the Prime Minister confirmed the agriculture worker visa is dead. But today the former Leader of the Nationals said of the same visa: There's no...
    • Mental Health (2 speeches)
      My question is to the Minister for Health. Will the minister update the House on how the government is supporting the mental health of young Australians, including many in my electorate of...
    • Agriculture Industry (4 speeches)
      My question is to the Prime Minister. Is the Prime Minister aware that the National Farmers Federation said on Saturday: Industry has been calling for a dedicated Agricultural Visa for over 12...
    • Education (3 speeches)
      My question is to the Minister for Education. Will the minister update the House on how the government is providing record funding to government, Catholic and independent schools, including in my...
  • Statements on Indulgence (0 speeches)
    • Invictus Games (2 speeches)
      On indulgence, can I issue, on behalf of all of the House, a very warm welcome to the Duke and Duchess of Sussex. It's tremendous to have Prince Harry and Meghan here. We hope they have a very...
  • Documents (0 speeches)
  • Auditor-General's Reports (0 speeches)
  • 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.
  • Business (0 speeches)
    • Leave of Absence (1 speech)
      I move: That leave of absence for the remainder of the current period of sittings be given to Mrs Sudmalis on the ground of public business overseas. Question agreed to.
  • Committees (0 speeches)
    • Electoral Matters Committee; Membership (1 speech)
      I have received a message from the Senate informing the House that Senator Steele-John has been discharged from the Joint Standing Committee on Electoral Matters and that Senator Waters has been...
  • Bills (0 speeches)
  • Adjournment (0 speeches)
    • Macarthur Electorate: Infrastructure (1 speech)
      I often speak in this chamber on the need for state and federal governments to provide adequate levels of infrastructure to meet the needs and demands of the ever-growing population of Macarthur....
    • The Briars Sporting Club (1 speech)
      In August 1918 in Burwood, in my electorate of Reid, 11 boys aged between nine and 13 met in an Appian Way backyard chook shed and started a club. This was the humble beginning of a club that...
    • Jenkins, Mrs Annapuranee (1 speech)
      I rise today to place a spotlight on the case of a missing mum, missing wife, missing partner and missing Australian citizen, Mrs Annapuranee Jenkins, also known as Anna Jenkins. Anna and her...
    • Roads (1 speech)
      You can imagine the frustration in an outer metropolitan seat like Bowman as residents attempt to get road improvements to address the increasing congestion in one of the fastest growing cities...
    • Democracy (1 speech)
      For me, the scariest sentence uttered by a politician in recent times wasn't said by Donald Trump, nor by Senator Hanson. It was British MP Michael Gove who said, when campaigning for the Brexit...
    • Berowra Electorate: Schools (2 speeches)
      I'm proud of the 51 government, Catholic and independent schools in the Berowra electorate. The schools come in all shapes and sizes, from Middle Dural Public School, with fewer than 30 students,...
  • Constituency Statements (0 speeches)
    • Geelong: National Disability Insurance Agency (1 speech)
      It was a year ago that I stood in this place to talk about how important a decision it was for Geelong, back in 2013, that the NDIA would be based in Geelong. It was a difficult time for our...
    • Aged Care (1 speech)
      In the 12 months campaigning as a candidate pre-the 2013 election, in the hope of winning the seat of Reid—obviously an extremely culturally diverse seat—I heard time and time again...
    • Religious Freedom Review (1 speech)
      As a high schooler of the 1980s, I remember repeated taunts about anyone who seemed to be the slightest bit gay or lesbian. The idea of being homosexual was thought of as abhorrent and was used...
    • Great Murray River Salami Festival (1 speech)
      I'm very pleased to talk about Euston's very first Great Murray River Salami Festival, which I attended on Saturday. Euston is a small town on the banks of the Murray, in the south-western New...
    • Longman Electorate: Events (1 speech)
      After many, many months of hoping for rain to help the farmers in my electorate, finally our prayers have been answered and the rain has come. But, as they say, when it rains it pours, and it's...
    • Taxation (1 speech)
      There can be no doubt that every Liberal member of this parliament is here to back hardworking Australians, particularly small and family businesses. The announcement last week by the Prime...
    • Royal Commission into Misconduct in the Banking, Superannuation and Financial Services Industry (1 speech)
      Last week I hosted the first of Labor's banking royal commission round tables in Western Australia to give victims of banking misconduct a voice. I heard from farmers who were taken advantage of...
    • Groom Electorate: Taylor's Removals (1 speech)
      Last Wednesday, we celebrated 100 years of the Taylor's Removals business in Toowoomba. It was hosted by Ray and Madeline Taylor and the fourth-generation managing director, Melissa Taylor, a...
    • Ballarat Electorate: Telecommunications (1 speech)
      I rise today to talk about mobile black spots in my electorate. Those of us who live and work in regional Australia, in areas such as my electorate of Ballarat, understand, much more than others,...
    • Centenary of Armistice (2 speeches)
      This year marks the 100th anniversary of the end of the First World War. Australia's involvement in the First World War began when Britain declared war on Germany on 4 August 1914. At a time when...
  • Private Members' Business (0 speeches)
    • International Pregnancy and Infant Loss Remembrance Day (7 speeches)
      I move: That this House: (1) notes that: (a) 15 October marks International Pregnancy and Infant Loss Remembrance Day; (b) on this day, parents, families and friends will memorialise babies they...
    • Trans-Pacific Partnership Agreement (7 speeches)
      It's my great privilege to be able to get up and speak on this motion, because the TPP-11 is one of the great achievements of this government. When it comes down to it, and anybody who was there...
    • National Container Deposit Scheme (7 speeches)
      I move: That this House: (1) notes that: (a) discarded plastic, glass, cardboard and aluminium beverage containers are detrimental to the environment and represent a valuable economic resource;...
    • Defence Industry (6 speeches)
      I am pleased to rise and speak today on this motion moved by the member for Fisher. As an MP representing the electorate with the largest base of the Royal Australian Navy in the country, I'm...
  • Bills (0 speeches)
  • Statements by Members (0 speeches)
    • Breast Cancer Awareness Month (1 speech)
      October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month. Last Saturday, families affected by this terrible disease marked Metastatic Breast Cancer Awareness Day. The women and men who live with advanced breast...
    • North Sydney Electorate: Bushcare (1 speech)
      I rise today to congratulate those in North Sydney's Bushcare program on a significant milestone—their 25th anniversary. Residents in North Sydney understandably feel passionately about the...
    • Scullin Electorate: Principal for a Day (1 speech)
      Last week I had the great privilege of being principal for a day at Plenty Parklands Primary School in my electorate of Scullin. I'm very pleased to report that the school remains standing after...
    • Wynne, Mr Taj (1 speech)
      Congratulations to Taj Wynne, who is in year 3 at the Queen of Apostles school in Tangney. He is the top performer in the International Competitions and Assessments for Schools spelling test...
    • Jordan, Mr Ray (1 speech)
      I take this opportunity to thank a local legend for his contribution to our community. My good friend Ray Jordan has been volunteering with the Mount Druitt Senior Citizens and Welfare...
    • Queensland: Natural Disasters (1 speech)
      Last Thursday a ferocious storm cell ripped through parts of Wide Bay destroying crops; injuring people, stock and wildlife; damaging buildings; uprooting trees; smashing cars; and blocking...
    • Moreton Electorate: Barrett Adolescent Centre Special School (1 speech)
      Earlier this year I visited the Barrett Adolescent Centre Special School at Tennyson in my electorate of Moreton, a school that transforms children's lives. Sadly, the young people attending the...
    • Sunshine Coast: Health Care (1 speech)
      I congratulate the Prime Minister and the Minister for Health on the recent announcement of a competitive public application process for 20 Medicare-eligible MRI licences at locations of need...
    • Adelaide Coastal Trail (1 speech)
      Adelaide, and indeed South Australia, has stunning coastlines, and there's nowhere that has better coastlines than the southern Adelaide region. Of course, the previous state government had been...
    • Leichhardt Electorate: Australian Irish Dancing Championships (1 speech)
      It gives me great pleasure to rise this evening to speak about the Australian Irish Dancing Championships, which was held in Cairns recently. It's the first time the championship has been held in...
    • National Rugby League School to Work Program (1 speech)
      I congratulate Kiara Astbury, Rideika Boney, Tanisha Brooksby, Phoebe Gorman, Taliah King, Hayley Marshall and Kale Talbott, who all took part recently in the National Rugby League's marquee...
    • Strother, Mr Roger (1 speech)
      Today I rise to pay tribute to one of the Coorong's kind-hearted community leaders, who tragically passed away earlier this year. Former mayor and regional trailblazer Roger Strother was a true...
    • Parramatta Electorate: Pink Ribbon Breakfast (1 speech)
      On Sunday morning, I was privileged to attend the annual pink ribbon breakfast in Parramatta. It's an event I have been attending for nearly eight years. It was started by Rekha Rajvanshi eight...
    • Grey Electorate: Drought (1 speech)
      About a week ago, I took the opportunity to visit a region out to the east of Burra in my electorate, to Eudunda, which is severely affected by the current dry conditions of the drought. I toured...
    • Invictus Games (1 speech)
      The Invictus Games is an international sporting event for wounded, injured and ill service men and women. The games include those still on active duty and veterans. I would like to make special...
    • Roads (2 speeches)
      It's clear that Labor has deserted the eastern suburbs of Melbourne. We all know that Labor spent $1.3 billion of taxpayers' money to cancel the East West Link, and all we've seen since that time...
    • Oxley Electorate: Girl Guides (1 speech)
      I thank you, Madam Deputy Speaker, for your protection. On Saturday night just gone, I had the pleasure of attending the 60th anniversary celebration for the Oxley Girl Guides, an iconic group...
    • Boothby Electorate: Grumpy Old Men (3 speeches)
      This month I was delighted to visit the Grumpy Old Men, a Men's Shed group based at the Edwardstown Baptist Church in my electorate of Boothby.
    • Calwell Electorate: Second Chance Animal Rescue (1 speech)
      On Friday I popped into the Second Chance Animal Rescue shelter in my electorate, in Campbellfield. I want to take the opportunity to thank them for the enormous amount of good work that they do...
    • Forde Electorate: Mental Health (1 speech)
      I'd like to take this opportunity to congratulate the students at Marsden State High School for their commitment to removing the stigma surrounding mental health issues. Year 9 student leaders at...
    • Holt Electorate: Mental Health (1 speech)
      On the same note, I rise today to discuss the need for a headspace centre in Cranbourne. Last week, we recognised headspace day. This is a national day of support for mental health and the...
    • Bonner Electorate: Better Ageing Grant Program (1 speech)
      It was great to see the Minister for Sport launch the Move It Australia—Better Ageing Grant Program last month. With our ageing population, it's more important than ever to get older...
    • Blue Mountains: Bushfires (1 speech)
      The seventeenth of October marks the fifth anniversary of the devastating Blue Mountains bushfires, which destroyed 200 homes in Mount Victoria, Winmalee, Springwood and Yellow Rock. Five years...
    • Make It 30 Days (1 speech)
      Earlier this month I launched a campaign to get a fair go for locals, local businesses, the local economy and local jobs throughout North Queensland. In recent years multinational mining...
    • Mental Health Month (1 speech)
      October is Mental Health Month. It is estimated that one in five Australians will experience a mental health problem during their lifetime. As a pharmacist who worked in the mental health...
    • Bouddi Foundation for the Arts (1 speech)
      It was a pleasure to be at the 2018 Bouddi Foundation for the Arts awards day at Wagstaffe over the weekend. The awards are always a very special afternoon. They recognise the incredible local...
    • Australian Public Service (1 speech)
      When Senator Cormann addressed the APSwide Canberra conference last week he laid out his plans to invigorate the Australian Public Service. Like any propagandist, he tried to take control of the...
    • Field of Light: Avenue of Honour (1 speech)
      I recently had the honour of opening the Field of Light: Avenue of Honour installation in Albany, which received $290,000 from the government's Building Better Regions Fund. Anyone who's seen the...
    • Australian Constitution (1 speech)
      I stand in this place today proud to represent the Bwgcolman people and the traditional owners, the Manbarra people, of Palm Island, as they share their journey in their centenary year for the...
    • Bayside Toy Library (2 speeches)
      It's my great privilege to celebrate today the incredible work of the Bayside Toy Library in Brighton East that's giving Goldstein families access to over 3,000 toys to assist with childhood...
  • Private Members' Business (0 speeches)
    • World Osteoporosis Day (6 speeches)
      I move: That this House: (1) notes that: (a) 20 October is World Osteoporosis Day and aims to increase awareness of the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of osteoporosis; (b) osteoporosis is a...
    • Mobile Black Spot Program (5 speeches)
      I'd like to talk about how important the Mobile Black Spot Program has been. It is part and parcel of living in the 21st century that you must be able to pull a phone out of your pocket to...
    • Veterans (13 speeches)
      I move: That this House: (1) notes: (a) the immeasurable commitment and sacrifices that our Australian Defence Force (ADF) members make to serve our nation; (b) that ADF families play a pivotal...
    • Economy (7 speeches)
      This motion presents me with a great opportunity to pay tribute to the member for Goldstein for this motion. The member for Goldstein is a great advocate for sound economic policy in this place,...
    • National Disability Insurance Scheme (7 speeches)
      Colleagues, the National Disability Insurance Scheme has the potential to transform people's lives, and it's essential that the implementation is right and meets expectations. There are many...