House debates

Monday, 14 October 2019

  • Petitions (0 speeches)
    • Petitions Committee; Report (1 speech)
      I present the fourth report of the Petitions Committee for the 46th Parliament. I draw the attention of the House to an e-petition currently open for signatures until later this week. This...
    • Responses (1 speech)
      I present the following ministerial responses to petitions previously presented to the House:
  • Bills (0 speeches)
  • Private Members' Business (0 speeches)
    • Immigration, Citizenship (15 speeches)
      I move: That this House: (1) notes that: (a) the Government plans to privatise Australia's visa processing system; (b) under the Government's plan, a private tenderer will be given licence to run...
    • World Suicide Prevention Day (10 speeches)
      I move: That this House: (1) notes that Tuesday, 10 September 2019 was World Suicide Prevention Day; (2) confirms the Government's commitment to work with local communities to reduce the number...
  • Committees (0 speeches)
  • Bills (0 speeches)
  • Statements by Members (0 speeches)
    • Girls Takeover Parliament Program, International Day of the Girl Child (2 speeches)
      Today is the day that girls take over the parliament. I'm pleased to deliver this speech on behalf of Zahra Moinkhah, who is the honorary federal member for Perth. She is in the chamber today....
    • New South Wales: Bushfires (1 speech)
      It was a traumatic time for many in my community last week as fire took over 30 homes and, tragically, two lives were lost. Rappville, like a number of communities, was cut off. It was surrounded...
    • Anti-Poverty Week (2 speeches)
      Today marks the beginning of Anti-Poverty Week. It is sad when you consider that Deloitte Access Economics forecasts no improvement in wages and no improvement in employment in this country. It's...
    • Lester, Ms Evelyn, ESM (1 speech)
      Today I rise to speak about a remarkable, generous and hardworking woman in my constituency, Evelyn Lester, the Hills SES unit commander. Recently, Evelyn announced that she was stepping down...
    • Girls Takeover Parliament Program (1 speech)
      Today, as part of the Girls Takeover Parliament Program, 60 young women came into this nation's parliament to experience the work of federal politicians. They've undertaken activities such as...
    • Men's Shed Week (2 speeches)
      In celebrating Men's Shed Week, I had the privilege to visit the Chadstone Men's Shed just a few weeks ago. Unlike your usual Men's Shed, where men gather around work tables, I saw some big...
    • Solomon Electorate: Community Events (1 speech)
      It's been another outstanding weekend in Darwin, so I just wanted to share with the chamber and the nation that we had the Darwin Symphony Orchestra playing heroic Beethoven, celebrating the...
    • Reid Electorate: St Joseph's Maronite Catholic Church (1 speech)
      I rise today to commend a completed project, the construction of the St Joseph's Maronite Catholic Church childcare centre. The new childcare centre offers a modern education facility for up to...
    • Girls Takeover Parliament Program (1 speech)
      Jasiri Australia's Girls Takeover Parliament program is a bipartisan program which pairs young women with politicians to ensure their voices and opinions get heard. It is a program which...
    • Lindsay Electorate: Health (1 speech)
      Today I rise to speak about the health and wellbeing of my community. In my electorate of Lindsay, I'm taking action to encourage a more healthy and active community. Health today must be a...
    • Workplace Relations (1 speech)
      Over the past few years, thousands of words have been written and spoken about the topic of wage theft. Yet, despite all the outrage and the subsequent promises of action, the fact is we continue...
    • Groom Electorate: Business Excellence Awards (1 speech)
      I'm very pleased to share with the chamber the results of the 2019 Business Excellence Awards, announced by the Toowoomba Chamber of Commerce at a gala function in Toowoomba last Friday night....
    • Disability Services (1 speech)
      Australia is the only English-speaking country in the OECD that does not have audio description on free-to-air television. This service is vital for Australians with blindness or low vision to...
    • Wide Bay Electorate: Australian Army Cadets Gympie (1 speech)
      On Thursday last week, it was my great honour to attend the inaugural dining-in night for the Gympie cadet unit 150. This cadet unit was established in May last year and has been in recess since...
    • Virtual War Memorial (1 speech)
      I rise to talk about the Virtual War Memorial. This is a website that details the experiences of over 650,000 of our veterans. It's a South Australian initiative. The memorial uses a digital...
    • Fairfax Electorate: STUFFit Student Film Festival (1 speech)
      STUFFit. That's the name of a fantastic film festival run out of my electorate in Fairfax: the STUFFit Student Film Festival. It is for year 7 to year 12 students to show their wares. This year...
    • Girls Takeover Parliament Program (1 speech)
      Today is Jasiri Australia's Girls Takeover Parliament day, an event I'm pleased to be part of for the third year running. The program is organised by Caitlin Figueiredo and it aims to inspire a...
    • Prostate Cancer (1 speech)
      I rise to thank all those who assisted with the Big Aussie Barbie that I held a couple of weeks ago at my electorate office. The Big Aussie Barbie, and its campaign, is all about getting together...
    • Climate Change (1 speech)
      We have a climate emergency, and for over six years now this Liberal government has been failing our nation on that climate emergency. Under this Liberal government's chaotic and blatantly...
    • Braddon Electorate: Ulverstone Red Cross (2 speeches)
      It was my great pleasure to attend the opening of Ulverstone Red Cross's new multipurpose ramp facility recently. Funded through the federal government's Stronger Communities Program, the ramp...
  • Ministerial Arrangements (0 speeches)
    • (1 speech)
      I inform the House that the Assistant Treasurer and Minister for Housing will be absent from question time today and for the rest of the week as he is representing Australia at the APEC finance...
  • Questions without Notice (0 speeches)
    • Economy (2 speeches)
      My question is addressed to the Prime Minister. The Prime Minister's talking points for today say, 'The major banks have decided to put their profits before their customers.' If that's the case,...
    • Drought (2 speeches)
      My question is to the Prime Minister. Will the Prime Minister inform the House how the Morrison government is assisting drought affected communities to make it through the drought, including in...
    • Banking and Financial Services (7 speeches)
      My question is addressed to the Prime Minister. Where in the Prime Minister's talking points for today is the Prime Minister's description of the banking royal commission as, and I quote him,...
    • Dams (8 speeches)
      My question is to the Deputy Prime Minister of the Commonwealth of Australia, Leader of the National Party, and the Minister for Infrastructure, Transport and Regional Development. Will the...
    • Household and Personal Debt (3 speeches)
      My question is to the Prime Minister. Is the Prime Minister aware of any year when household debt was higher than it is now?
  • Distinguished Visitors (0 speeches)
    • (1 speech)
      I inform the House that we have present in the gallery this afternoon the Fijian Assistant Minister for Employment, Productivity, Industrial Relations, Youth and Sport, accompanied by the First...
  • Questions without Notice (0 speeches)
    • Drought (4 speeches)
      My question is to the . The minister today wrote in an opinion piece, 'Our drought strategy is clear.' But this morning, Fiona Simpson, president of the NFF, said: 'Unfortunately, Australia...
    • Household and Personal Debt (4 speeches)
      My question is to the Prime Minister. Why won't the Prime Minister confirm that household debt is now nearly double disposable income, higher than it has ever been?
    • Housing Affordability (2 speeches)
      My question is to the Treasurer. Will the Treasurer outline to the House how the Morrison government is delivering on its plan for a stronger economy, including by improving competition and...
    • Employment (9 speeches)
      My question is to the Prime Minister: Can the Prime Minister confirm that this Liberal government's record on wages growth is worse than any previous government? Is this a contributing factor to...
    • Vocational Education and Training (9 speeches)
      My question is to the Minister representing the Minister for Employment, Skills, Small and Family Business. Will the minister update the House on how the Morrison government is building...
    • Space Industry (2 speeches)
      My question is to the Minister for Industry, Science and Technology. Would the minister update the House on how the Morrison government is helping to create jobs in Australia's space industry and...
    • Australia: International Relations (12 speeches)
      My question is to the Prime Minister. Which multilateral institutions was the Prime Minister talking about when he warned about the dangers of negative globalism?
    • Welfare Reform (2 speeches)
      My question is to the Minister representing the Minister for Families and Social Services. Will the minister update the House on how the Morrison government's economic plan is getting more...
    • Houston, Brian (5 speeches)
      My question is to the Prime Minister. Did the Prime Minister or his office seek to have Brian Houston invited to the White House?
    • Trade Unions (2 speeches)
      My question is to the Attorney-General and the Minister for Industrial Relations. Will the minister update the House on how the Morrison government is working to curb union lawlessness,...
    • Prime Minister (8 speeches)
      My question is to the Prime Minister. I refer to reports in TheWall Street Journal that the Prime Minister was determined to bring Brian Houston to the White House, with several rounds of...
    • National Security (2 speeches)
      My question is to the Minister for Home Affairs. Will the minister update the House on how the Morrison government is managing the difficult issue of potentially returning foreign terrorist...
    • Economy (4 speeches)
      My question is addressed to the Prime Minister. Today, the Prime Minister has refused to give a straight answer to questions about record household debt, about record-low wage growth and about...
    • New South Wales: Bushfires (3 speeches)
      My question is to the Minister for Water Resources, Drought, Rural Finance, Natural Disaster and Emergency Management. Will the Minister update the House on the Morrison-McCormack government's...
    • Drought (4 speeches)
      My question is to the Prime Minister. Why does the Prime Minister's talking points say that the government recognises how tough drought is, when he is withdrawing the farm household allowance...
    • Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (3 speeches)
      My question is to the Minister for Health. Will the Minister outline to the House how the Morrison government's stable and certain approach to the economy enables making life-changing cancer...
  • Documents (0 speeches)
  • Auditor-General's Reports (0 speeches)
    • Reports Nos 9 and 10 of 2019-20 (1 speech)
      I present the following Auditor-General's performance audit reports: No. 9 of 2019-20 entitled National Ice Action Strategy Rollout: Department of Health and No. 10 entitled, Design and...
  • 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.
  • Committees (0 speeches)
    • Public Works Committee; Report (1 speech)
      On behalf of the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Public Works, I present the committee's report No. 4 for 2019, relating to a referral made in September 2019. Report made a parliamentary...
    • Treaties Committee; Report (4 speeches)
      On behalf of the Joint Standing Committee on Treaties, I present the committee's report, incorporating dissenting reports, entitled Report 186: IA-CEPA and A-HKFTA. Report made a parliamentary...
    • Treaties 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.
  • Bills (0 speeches)
  • Adjournment (0 speeches)
    • National Disability Insurance Agency (1 speech)
      Australians listening tonight are probably aware that the National Disability Insurance Scheme is one of the most important social initiatives that this nation has undertaken. Currently there are...
    • Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths (1 speech)
      On a recent visit to Thuringowa State High School in my electorate, I was absolutely blown away by the students' incredible knowledge of, and enthusiasm for, science, technology, education and...
    • Trade (2 speeches)
      Here we are again, as a parliament, about to embark on another debate about free trade agreements. As it's starting to play out in the community, again, as they should, they're asking: what's in...
    • Kingston Electorate: National Disability Insurance Scheme (1 speech)
      Just recently I was very pleased to host an NDIS forum in my electorate of Kingston, along with the shadow federal minister and the shadow state minister. At this forum, we allowed community...
    • Ryan Electorate: Safety (1 speech)
      I rise to speak in the House tonight about important health initiatives for families in the Ryan electorate. The first is water safety and the second is being sun smart. Summer is just around the...
  • Private Members' Business (0 speeches)
    • Pregnancy and Infant Loss Remembrance Day (9 speeches)
      I move: That this House: (1) notes that: (a) 15 October is International Pregnancy and Infant Loss Remembrance Day; (b) on this day, parents, families, friends and healthcare workers will...
    • Australian Servicewomen (11 speeches)
      I move: That this House: (1) notes the: (a) outstanding contribution women make to the Australian Defence Force; and (b) formation of the new Council for Women and Families United by Defence...
    • Climate Change: Coastal Erosion (11 speeches)
      I move: That this House: (1) notes that Australia has: (a) more than 59,000km of coastline; (b) around 85 per cent of the population living in coastal regions; and (c) nearly 39,000 buildings (as...
    • Infrastructure (9 speeches)
      As a young child I recall driving with the family of seven in the old Valiant from Kempsey to Sydney to visit our relatives once a year. That trip took on average about 10 hours, not the mention...
  • Statements by Members (0 speeches)
    • Housing (1 speech)
      There's no doubt that the unrestrained conversion of Hobart homes into short-stay accommodation, like Airbnb, is contributing directly to our housing crisis. Indeed, The Mercury newspaperrevealed...
    • Winzar, Mr Bruce (1 speech)
      My statement today is about the achievements of a great Bendigonian: Bruce Winzar. Bruce has recently represented Bendigo Health at a conference of the Healthcare Information and Management...
    • Paul Keating Lecture (1 speech)
      It's 50 years since Paul Keating was first elected to this place. Actually, it's 50 years ago next week. Paul served here as the member for Blaxland for almost 27 years. As we all know, he also...
    • Curtin Electorate: Rotary (1 speech)
      I rise today to acknowledge the fantastic contribution of local Rotary clubs in the electorate of Curtin. Rotary leads the way in creating opportunities for people to make a difference in local,...
    • CapTel (1 speech)
      Dr Alex Harrison is an exceptional veterinarian who practises in my electorate. He also happens to be Australia's first and only profoundly deaf vet. He is one of many deaf and hard of hearing...
    • Canning Electorate: Community Events (1 speech)
      We had three shows in Canning on the weekend. The first was the Mandurah Boat, Caravan, 4WD and Camping Show. It was their inaugural show and was held at Rushton Park in Mandurah. All the latest...
    • Girls Takeover Parliament Program (1 speech)
      Today I have a wonderful young woman of colour, Isha Dadlani, from the Girls Takeover Parliament program, shadowing me as I go about my day. Isha lives in Sydney and is in her second year...
    • We Help Ourselves (1 speech)
      We know the importance of looking after people who find themselves caught amidst the scourge of ice. Drugs in this country are a problem, as they are in so many other countries. They are a...
    • Aged Care (1 speech)
      The Royal Commission into Aged Care Quality and Safety is currently underway, as people would be aware, and the government is expecting an interim report on 31 October. My strong message to the...
    • Dams (1 speech)
      Dams are a great item of history and they're a great item of our future. It was a great honour that, in our area of New England, we had the capacity to announce, on the weekend, a further half a...
    • Parramatta Electorate: 2019 Deaf Festival (1 speech)
      Madam Deputy Speaker Claydon, I know you were part of the Auslan Leaders Challenge just a few weeks ago, where 30 politicians and leaders produced a video in Auslan to celebrate the International...
    • Hughes Electorate: Southern Electorate Spectacular (1 speech)
      On the weekend I had the great privilege of opening the 2019 Southern Orchid Spectacular, held at the Sutherland basketball stadium from 11 to 13 August. I would like to put on the record my...
    • Telecommunications (1 speech)
      Many Australians, including people in my electorate of Shortland, are fed up with telephone scams. They aren't just annoying; they are relentless, they are an assault and they are an invasion of...
    • Building and Construction Industry (1 speech)
      Colleagues, I'll talk about a scam. I'll give you a real scam, and that's the Master Builders lifting the lid on union corruption in construction. That's right: up with the price and down with...
    • Canberra Electorate: National Rugby League Grand Final (1 speech)
      I rise today to talk about the grand final. On Sunday, 65,000 passionate Canberra supporters travelled up the Hume for the big dance, filling the Olympic stadium with a sea of Raiders green. It...
    • Berowra Electorate: Berowra Public School (1 speech)
      Berowra Public School recently celebrated its 125th anniversary of teaching and learning at that school. It was the first school in Berowra, and started in a teacher's house with just 14 students...
    • Moreton Electorate: Southside Muslim Communities Drought Appeal (1 speech)
      I would like to recognise members of the southside Muslim communities for their amazing effort in organising a drought appeal for the people of Stanthorpe. While this happened a few weeks ago, it...
    • Chisholm Electorate: Greek Orthodox Community (1 speech)
      Last month I visited the annual dinner dance of the Orthodox Community of Box Hill and Districts. This event was a celebration of Greek culture and the organisation's profound contribution to our...
    • Gilmore Electorate: Hope House (1 speech)
      October 10 was World Mental Health Day, a day for global mental health education awareness and advocacy. One in five Australians are affected by mental illness, but it can be difficult for many...
    • Girls Takeover Parliament (3 speeches)
      Today I'm hosting Sophie Bjorkman from Canberra Grammar School as part of the Girls Take Over Parliament program. Sophie is passionate about politics and encouraging more women to engage with...
    • Lindsay Electorate: Emergency Services (1 speech)
      In moments of hardship, trauma and tragedy we see our community's resilient spirit shine. Our emergency services personnel selflessly put themselves in harm's way to ensure that our community is...
    • Anti-Poverty Week (1 speech)
      I rise to acknowledge that this week is Anti-Poverty Week, a week that's designed to raise awareness of the diabolical levels of inequality and poverty. Australia is a wealthy country, which...
    • Young Ambassador Program (1 speech)
      Today I'm speaking on behalf of my good mate Indiana Hehir. Indiana is a 17-year-old young person from Wide Bay who recently took part in UNICEF's Young Ambassador Program. During the last...
    • Blue Mountains Conservation Society (1 speech)
      In 2017 the Blue Mountains Conservation Society first met with me to tell me about Radiata Plateau, not far from Katoomba. The plateau has long been recovering radiata forest and for decades has...
    • Australian Bushfires (1 speech)
      It's been a very traumatic time for many in my community. Last week, a fire took over 60 homes and, tragically, two lives were lost. Incredible stories are being told of the bravery and kindness...
    • Child Care (1 speech)
      I rise today to speak about this government's lack of attention to detail. Today the lack of attention to detail is not only in its talking points, which in 18 pages do not mention health or...
    • Unley Mercedes Jets Football Club (1 speech)
      On Saturday 12 October my state colleague Sam Duluk MP and I joined the Unley Mercedes Jets Football Club, including President David Heaslip and his committee, players, coaches, volunteers and...
    • Endeavour Hills Police: Attacks (1 speech)
      On the evening of 23 September 2014, two police officers walked out of the Endeavour Hills police station, and their lives changed irrevocably as a consequence of that. Those two police officers...
    • Barker Electorate: Agricultural Shows (2 speeches)
      The spring show season is well and truly underway in Barker. It's one of my favourite times of year. I take my electorate office out on the road and I set up with other stall holders. Over the...
  • Private Members' Business (0 speeches)
    • International Day of the Girl Child (9 speeches)
      I move: That this House: (1) notes that: (a) 11 October 2019 is International Day of the Girl Child, which promotes human rights and supports action on gender inequality across the globe; and (b)...
    • Vocational Education and Training (14 speeches)
      I move: That this House: (1) notes the: (a) creation of 1.2 million jobs since the Coalition Government was elected, with 140,000 young Australians securing employment over that time period; (b)...
    • Agriculture (12 speeches)
      I move: That this House: (1) recognises: (a) the Government's commitment to future-proofing Australian agriculture, including the Future Drought Fund, and its action on climate change, including...
    • Western Australia: Economy (6 speeches)
      I move: That this House: (1) recognises: (a) the importance of Western Australia to the national economy; and (b) that when Western Australia does well, Australia does well; (2) notes that: (a)...