House debates
Tuesday, 7 October 2025
- Bills (0 speeches)
- Business (0 speeches)
- Consideration of Legislation (1 speech)
On behalf of the Leader of the House, I move: That so much of the standing and sessional orders be suspended as would prevent the following from occurring in relation to proceedings on...
- Bills (0 speeches)
- Appropriation Bill (No. 1) 2025-2026; Second Reading (1 speech)
In accordance with the resolution agreed to earlier, the Appropriation Bill (No. 1) 2025-2026 and related appropriation bills stand referred to the Federation Chamber, and further consideration...
- Committees (0 speeches)
- Bills (0 speeches)
- Statements by Members (0 speeches)
- Renewable Energy (1 speech)
Today I rise to applaud the recently launched Australian renewables truth map by Steven Nowakowski and Rainforest Reserves Australia. It has taken three years of voluntary work to collate the...
- Carrington Bridge (1 speech)
I rise today to lend my very strong support to a community led campaign to formally name the Carrington Bridge in honour of the late Neil Pitt. Carrington Bridge is the gateway that connects this...
- Mount Magnet District High School (1 speech)
Last month I had the privilege of welcoming to Parliament House students and teachers from Mount Magnet District High School who travelled from the red dirt of Mount Magnet—one of WA's...
- HMAS Cerberus (1 speech)
Last week, I had the pleasure of spending three days at HMAS Cerberus in Hastings, visiting the Navy's national training base, which sits in the neighbouring electorate of Flinders. The purpose...
- Northern Beaches Hospital (1 speech)
The Northern Beaches Hospital in Mackellar is the last public-private partnership hospital in New South Wales—but not for much longer. The private operator themselves conceded in April that...
- Victoria Floods: Third Anniversary (1 speech)
This month marks three years since the devastating floods that hit Rochester and parts of my electorate in October 2022. Yesterday was the three-year anniversary of when the rain started falling,...
- Medical Research Future Fund (1 speech)
The Medical Research Future Fund was established with the promise of a billion dollars a year to support Australia's world-class medical research sector. For 10 years, it has supported high-value...
- McIlwaine, Mr Greg (1 speech)
After an extraordinary 59 years of service to Rhodes Fire Station, including more than 40 years as captain, Greg McIlwaine has hung up his helmet and retired. Greg's name is synonymous with fire...
- Queensland: Sport (3 speeches)
I rise today on what is a wonderful day here in Canberra, but it's an even better day in Queensland because we have been extremely successful with our sporting teams. I should give a shout-out to...
- Kelly, Mr Jack (1 speech)
I rise today to congratulate Lane Cove journalist Jack Kelly on his nomination for a Walkley Foundation Mid-Year Media Prize in public service journalism. Jack reports for In the Cove, a local...
- Aged Care (1 speech)
It was great news to hear that close to $56.5 million in funding has been allocated to three aged-care providers in the Parkes electorate through the Aged Care Capital Assistance Program....
- Swan Young Changemakers Conference (1 speech)
Mental health, housing, AI, social cohesion and the future of work—these are issues that year 11 students in my electorate tackled head-on at the Swan Young Changemakers Conference....
- National Mental Health Month (1 speech)
I rise to acknowledge that October is National Mental Health Month. This month reminds us all of the opportunities we have to start conversations that can save lives, to ask 'Are you okay?' And...
- Midland Meals (1 speech)
A local organisation in my electorate of Hasluck making a real difference is Midland Meals. Food insecurity is a reality faced by too many people across Australia. That's why the work of Midlands...
- Casey Electorate: Mental Health (1 speech)
This Thursday, 9 October, is headspace Day—an annual day dedicated to the mental health and wellbeing of young Australians. I'd like to thank the dedicated teams at headspace Lilydale and...
- EXP.Restaurant (1 speech)
It's another day and another Hunter success story in hospo! I'm proud to stand here and talk about a local gem from back home that is punching well above its weight. EXP.Restaurant, right in the...
- Aramco STEM Racing World Finals (1 speech)
It's unparliamentary to be called a 'lunartic', but today it's a badge of pride. Last year, Team Lunar from Brighton Grammar School came third at the world STEM racing championships in Saudi...
- Hunt, Jennifer (1 speech)
I'm delighted to share a moment of inspiration from a visit to Nhulunbuy, in Arnhem Land, last week. I was visiting in my capacity as the special envoy for defence and northern Australia. I...
- Telecommunications (1 speech)
Whether you're on the benches, in the gallery or anywhere across Australia, when you call triple 0 in your greatest time of need, you expect your call to be answered. But, sadly, three weeks ago...
- Veterans: The Last Post (2 speeches)
The Last Post are a local South Australian based team of veterans dedicated to capturing the untold stories of those who have served. Recently I had the pleasure of meeting with Steven Lockwood...
- Statements on Indulgence (0 speeches)
- Middle East (2 speeches)
The seventh of October 2023 was a day of pain and terror for Jewish people around the world. When our parliament first gathered in the aftermath, the shock of what Hamas terrorists had...
- Condolences (0 speeches)
- Snow, Mr James (Jim) Henry (1 speech)
I inform the House of the death, on 18 September 2025, of James Henry Snow, a member of this House for the division of Eden-Monaro from 1983 to 1996. As a mark of respect for the memory of Jim...
- Questions without Notice (0 speeches)
- Telecommunications (2 speeches)
My question is to the Minister for Communications. One hundred and forty-seven days ago the minister was sworn into her portfolio, and yet she still self-identifies as a new minister. Being new...
- Papua New Guinea-Australia Mutual Defence Treaty (2 speeches)
My question is to the Prime Minister. What does yesterday's historic signing of the Pukpuk treaty between Papua New Guinea and Australia mean for our nation?
- Telecommunications (5 speeches)
My question is to the Minister for Communications. After the catastrophic triple 0 outage last month, the minister told a press conference before her trip to New York that there had been deaths....
- Papua New Guinea-Australia Mutual Defence Treaty (2 speeches)
My question is to the Deputy Prime Minister. What is the importance of the defence treaty between Australia and Papua New Guinea, and what impact will this have on our Australian Defence Force?
- Distinguished Visitors (0 speeches)
- Questions without Notice (0 speeches)
- Health Care (2 speeches)
My question is to the health minister. The rural doctor shortage crisis is a disgrace and a shameful indictment. The Charles Sturt University School of Rural Medicine in the central west of New...
- Papua New Guinea-Australia Mutual Defence Treaty (2 speeches)
My question is to the Minister for Pacific Island Affairs. How will the historic agreement between Australia and Papua New Guinea contribute to building a peaceful, stable and prosperous region?
- Telecommunications (3 speeches)
My question is to the Minister for Communications. It has been 565 days since the Bean review made 18 critical recommendations to government to fix the triple 0 network after the first Optus...
- Housing (4 speeches)
My question is to the Minister for Housing, Minister for Homelessness and Minister for Cities. How is the Albanese Labor government making it easier for first home buyers to buy their first home?...
- Telecommunications (2 speeches)
My question is to the Minister for Communications. Minister, I note that just today you are urging Optus to go faster, three weeks after the devastating outage where lives were lost. Minister,...
- Economy (2 speeches)
My question is to the Treasurer. What does the final budget outcome for the last financial year show about the progress the Albanese Labor government has made on the budget over the three years...
- Telecommunications (2 speeches)
My question is to the Minister for Communications. How many triple 0 outages have occurred since you became the minister responsible for communications?
- Climate Change (2 speeches)
My question is to the Minister for Climate Change and Energy. How is the Albanese Labor government acting on climate change? What other policy proposals on climate and energy are being investigated?
- Telecommunications (2 speeches)
My question is to the Minister for Communications. Multiple inquiries into triple 0 outages recommend temporary disaster roaming during national disasters and outages. This would keep Australians...
- Trade with the United Arab Emirates (2 speeches)
My question is to the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry. How will the free trade agreement with the United Arab Emirates expand opportunities for our farmers and producers? How do...
- Telecommunications (2 speeches)
My question is to the Minister for Communications. Can the minister confirm to the House that neither she nor her office were notified of the catastrophic triple 0 outage, which occurred on 18...
- Medicare (2 speeches)
My question is to the Minister for Health and Ageing. How is the Albanese Labor government strengthening Medicare, after a decade of cuts and neglect, to make it easier for Australians to access...
- Economy (2 speeches)
Treasurer, we praised the Prime Minister for completion of the Great Inland Way. Now, disaster—the closure of copper by Glencore and phosphate by Dyno Nobel. Simultaneously, the government...
- Workplace Relations (2 speeches)
My question is to the Minister for Employment and Workplace Relations. How is the Albanese Labor government delivering for Australian workers and easing cost-of-living pressures?
- Telecommunications (2 speeches)
My question is to the Minister for Communications. When exactly did the minister personally find out about the triple 0 outage on 18 September, and how was the minister personally advised of this...
- Education (3 speeches)
My question is to the Minister for Education. What is the Albanese Labor government doing to help Australians with a student debt, and what other reforms is the government making to higher education?
- Business (0 speeches)
- Leave of Absence (1 speech)
I move: That leave of absence from today until 27 November 2025 be given to Ms Payne for parental leave purposes. Speaking to that, if I may, I can inform the House that Joseph Douglas Phillips...
- Questions to the Speaker (0 speeches)
- Questions in Writing (2 speeches)
Mr Speaker, in accordance with standing order 105(b) I wish to draw your attention to overdue questions in writing: questions Nos 2 and 6. On 23 July, I asked the Minister for Infrastructure,...
- Documents (0 speeches)
- Australian National Audit Office, Parliamentary Budget Office; Presentation (1 speech)
I present the annual reports for 2024-25 of the Australian National Audit Office and the Parliamentary Budget Office. Documents made parliamentary papers.
- 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. Documents made...
- Matters of Public Importance (0 speeches)
- Middle East (12 speeches)
I have received a letter from the honourable member for Berowra proposing that a definite matter of public importance be submitted to the House for discussion, namely: The second anniversary of...
- Committees (0 speeches)
- Human Rights Joint Committee; Report (1 speech)
On behalf of the Parliamentary Joint Committee on Human Rights, I present the committee's report entitled Human rights scrutiny report: report 5 of 2025. Report made a parliamentary paper in...
- Bills (0 speeches)
- Adjournment (0 speeches)
- Fowler Electorate: Cost of Living (1 speech)
I rise to share a conversation with a young student in my electorate of Fowler that really moved me. They contacted me recently, telling me that they don't go on school excursions anymore. Their...
- Middle East (1 speech)
On 7 October 2023, in a day of horror, Hamas terrorists carried out barbaric attacks on the people of southern Israel. The grief and horror of that day lives on in families, in communities and in...
- Qantas (1 speech)
I rise this evening to let it be known, sadly, that Qantas has ceased to be the spirit of Australia and has become the spirit of Sydney, Brisbane and Melbourne. The recent decision by Qantas to...
- Regional Development Australia Barossa Gawler Light Adelaide Plains (1 speech)
This evening I want to acknowledge the outstanding work of Regional Development Australia Barossa Gawler Light Adelaide Plains, an organisation that continues to drive economic growth, community...
- Bruce Highway (1 speech)
I rise today to speak about the Bruce Highway. Mr Speaker, you would understand about the Bruce Highway, being from Queensland. It's the main highway that connects Brisbane to Cairns, circa 1,600...
- Climate Change (1 speech)
Climate change is the defining challenge of our time. One-in-a-hundred-year floods, record-breaking heat waves, unprecedented bushfires—these are no longer rare events and are becoming our...
- Grievance Debate (0 speeches)
- Tasmania: Sport Infrastructure (1 speech)
The majority of Tasmanians have a monumental grievance right now—that, at the demand of the AFL, Tasmania build a third AFL-grade stadium in a state of about half a million people when we...
- Banking and Financial Services (1 speech)
I rise today to speak about the shrinking access to services in our town centre—especially banking and post—in my community and, indeed, right across our country. Recently I was made...
- Grey Electorate (1 speech)
I rise to raise my grievance in relation to a range of issues impacting my constituents in the seat of Grey, and, more broadly, Australians living in regional, rural and remote Australia, who...
- Middle East (1 speech)
Today marks the second anniversary of a violent and cowardly attack on civilians and the beginning of one of the great humanitarian calamities of our times. Two years ago, we watched on in horror...
- National Disability Insurance Scheme (1 speech)
The National Disability Insurance Scheme has proved to be a lifeline for many of those who have a disability and family members who need that support. But it's unfortunate that many Australians...
- Climate Change (2 speeches)
I have the privilege of representing Leichhardt. Over the past few weeks, I've been taking the opportunity of not being here in this place to travel around, get to community and speak so many of...
- Constituency Statements (0 speeches)
- Katter's Australian Party (2 speeches)
In our little political party, we say we're about 'BORCHOFF'—it's like 'Gorbachev' without the 'Gor'. The B stands for build: we believe Australians should build—build Australia. The...
- Housing (1 speech)
Right across our community, and in my community in particular—down to Lake Macquarie and into the Central Coast—access to housing remains one of my top concerns. Young people are...
- Petition: Health Infrastructure Funding (5 speeches)
I seek leave of the House to table a petition.
- Clarke, Ms Rhiannon, Joondalup Men's and Women's Sheds (1 speech)
Today I want to highlight two shining examples of community spirit and achievement for my electorate. First, Rhiannon Clarke, an extraordinary young athlete, university student and disability...
- Cook Electorate: Year 12 Awards, Sylvania Public School (1 speech)
I'd like to acknowledge and congratulate all of the year 12 kids from the electorate of Cook on completing year 12 and wish them luck for the upcoming HSC exams. Specifically, I'd like to give a...
- Lalor Electorate: Sport (1 speech)
Last Thursday, 2 October, I had the pleasure of hosting the annual sports presidents night for Lalor. This is a night in Werribee that brings together in one room people from across sports to...
- Young, Mr Raymond, OAM (1 speech)
I rise today to honour the life of an extraordinary Central Queenslander, Raymond Young OAM, who passed away on 22 August this year. Born on 18 September 1932, Ray's life was marked from an early...
- Griffith Electorate: Pride Month (1 speech)
September was Pride Month in Brisbane, and it was wonderful that so many Pride events were held in the Griffith electorate, from the Come to Daddy Pride Launch to Pride Fair in Musgrave Park. I...
- Berowra Electorate: Cherrybrook Public School (1 speech)
Berowra's best and brightest were on display when I attended the Cherrybrook Public School Passion Projects evening, showcasing the hard work, research skills and dedication of the school's year...
- McEwen Electorate: Medicare, Wright, Kirra (1 speech)
Back at home, over the last few weeks, I've had the great pleasure of seeing firsthand the work that Labor is doing to strengthen our healthcare system. I had the pleasure of joining my good...
- Riverina Electorate: Rural Fire Service (1 speech)
Volunteers are the backbone of our communities. Whether they're regional or in capital cities, they keep Australia ticking. I want to pay special acknowledgement and recognition to some wonderful...
- Medicare (1 speech)
During the election, health care—and indeed Medicare—was a really big issue in my electorate of Franklin, and it continues to be. That's why I'm so pleased that on 1 November this...
- FernyRox, Lindsay Awards (1 speech)
In Lindsay we know how to come together to support one another, to celebrate community and to make a difference. This October I have two wonderful initiatives happening in my electorate that...
- Youth Voice in Parliament (1 speech)
What steps should the government take today to build a better tomorrow for young Australians? This was the question posed to young people across the country as part of the Raise Our Voice...
- Forestry Industry (1 speech)
The announcement by New South Wales Premier Chris Minns on Sunday 7 September to create the Great Koala National Park on the New South Wales North Coast was a day to remember for its ignorance of...
- Bonner Electorate: Community Events, Breast Cancer Awareness Month (1 speech)
Firstly, can I say that I'm proud to be a Queenslander every day of the week, but particularly this week following the back-to-back victories of the Brisbane Lions and the incredible win on...
- Olds, Mr Peter, OAM (1 speech)
At the heart of every community are its people. The generosity, dedication and character of those people shape a town. Peter Olds was one of Maryborough's greatest contributors. In his passing at...
- Youth Voice in Parliament (1 speech)
In this place we have an important responsibility to listen to the voices of young Australians. I had the opportunity to do that last month when, alongside my colleague Senator Dorinda Cox, I...
- England, Mr Christopher Edward (1 speech)
I rise today to pay tribute to the late Chris England, a man whose life embodied community spirit, quiet leadership and deep devotion to both his family and his beloved community. Chris served on...
- International Day of Older Persons (2 speeches)
On Sunday 5 October 2025, I celebrated the International Day of Older Persons at the Morialta Uniting Church at Magill in my electorate of Sturt. I celebrated with a special group of people,...
- Bills (0 speeches)
