House debates
Wednesday, 4 February 2026
- Committees (0 speeches)
- Selection Committee; Report (1 speech)
I present report No. 6 of the Selection Committee, relating to the consideration of committee and delegation business and private members' business on Monday 9 February 2026. The report will be...
- Delegation Reports (0 speeches)
- Documents (0 speeches)
- Bills (0 speeches)
- Law and Justice Legislation Amendment (New South Wales Local Court) Bill 2026; Second Reading (1 speech)
I move: That this bill be now read a second time. The Law and Justice Legislation Amendment (New South Wales Local Court) Bill 2026 will make consequential amendments to Commonwealth legislation...
- Copyright Amendment Bill 2025; Report from Federation Chamber (1 speech)
The question is that the amendments made by the Federation Chamber be agreed to. Question agreed to. Bill, as amended, agreed to.
- Copyright Amendment Bill 2025; Third Reading (1 speech)
by leave—I move: That this bill be now read a third time. Question agreed to. Bill read a third time.
- Translating and Interpreting Services Bill 2025; Reference to Federation Chamber (1 speech)
I declare that, unless otherwise ordered, the Translating and Interpreting Services Bill 2025 stands referred to the Federation Chamber for further consideration at the adjournment of the debate...
- Excise Tariff Amendment (Draught Beer) Bill 2025, Customs Tariff Amendment (Draught Beer) Bill 2025; Second Reading (7 speeches)
I'm very proud to speak on this legislation, the Excise Tariff Amendment (Draught Beer) Bill 2025 and the associated bill, because this is one of the most popular commitments that we took to the...
- Excise Tariff Amendment (Draught Beer) Bill 2025; Consideration in Detail (10 speeches)
I move the amendment as circulated in my name: (1) Schedule 1, item 1, page 3 (after line 23), after section 6L, insert: 6M Temporary freeze in indexation for craft beer (1) Despite any other...
- Excise Tariff Amendment (Draught Beer) Bill 2025; Third Reading (1 speech)
by leave—I move: That this bill be now read a third time. Question agreed to. Bill read a third time.
- Customs Tariff Amendment (Draught Beer) Bill 2025; Consideration in Detail (6 speeches)
I move the amendment on sheet 1, circulated in my name: (1) Schedule 1, item 1, page 3 (after line 23), after section 6L, insert: 6M Temporary freeze in indexation for tap spirits (1) Despite any...
- Customs Tariff Amendment (Draught Beer) Bill 2025; Third Reading (1 speech)
by leave—I move: That this bill be now read a third time. Question agreed to. Bill read a third time.
- Translating and Interpreting Services Bill 2025; Second Reading (3 speeches)
The opposition supports the Translating and Interpreting Services Bill 2025. This legislation is technical and administrative. The legislation provides a statutory basis for the provision of...
- Health Legislation Amendment (Prescribing of Pharmaceutical Benefits) Bill 2025; Second Reading (14 speeches)
I rise to speak in support of the Health Legislation Amendment (Prescribing of Pharmaceutical Benefits) Bill 2025. The Albanese Labor government is committed to strengthening Medicare and...
- Statements by Members (0 speeches)
- Lord Buddha's Sacred Relics Tour (1 speech)
On Thursday 22 January, the sacred Lord Buddha relics arrived in the Fowler community and were venerated at Phuoc Hue Temple in Wetherill Park in the heart of south-west Sydney. For many in our...
- Sri Lanka Independence: 78th Anniversary (1 speech)
Ayubowen and hello. I rise to wish the Sri Lankan Australian community and everyone back in Sri Lanka a very happy 78th independence day. For many, independence marks the beginning of a new...
- International Relations: Australia and Afghanistan (1 speech)
This government's priorities are all wrong. Your mortgage is going up. People are doing it tough. Sitting around the dinner table, they're talking about what they're going to have to cut back...
- Egan, Hon. Edward Joseph (Ted), AO (1 speech)
Later this month I will attend the state funeral for Ted Egan AO, a man who embodied the spirit, generosity and storytelling at the heart of the Northern Territory. Through music, writing and his...
- Ovarian Cancer (1 speech)
Today is World Cancer Day, and February is Ovarian Cancer Awareness Month. Today, five Australian women will be told that they have ovarian cancer, a devastating condition with a survival rate of...
- Leong, Lachlan (1 speech)
I rise to pay tribute to Lachlan Leong, who sadly passed away at the age of 17 earlier this year. Lachlan was a remarkable young man: caring, wise beyond his years and a much-loved member of the...
- Defence (1 speech)
Shame on the Albanese government for their neglect of the Australian Defence Force. Shame on the Albanese government for the way they have stripped out the Defence budget. Shame on the Albanese...
- Hunters Hill Probus Club (1 speech)
Today, I am eager to acknowledge the 50th anniversary of the Hunters Hill Probus Club, the first and oldest Probus club in the country that is right in the heart of Bennelong. Their inaugural...
- Parkes Elvis Festival (1 speech)
I'm just a simple country boy at heart, so it was with great pride that I attended the Parkes Elvis Festival in January. Yes, I wore an Elvis jumpsuit, and, yes, I stood alongside a multitude of...
- Ovarian Cancer (1 speech)
The member for Parkes is a hard act to follow. Today is World Cancer Day, and this month is Ovarian Cancer Awareness Month. This morning, I and many of my colleagues in this place attended an...
- Reedy Creek Quarry Project (1 speech)
I rise today to speak directly to the people of Reedy Creek, Tallebudgera, Burleigh and surrounding suburbs, and to make sure your voices are heard loud and clear in the federal parliament. Many...
- Lunar New Year (1 speech)
'Xinnian kuaile', 'kung hei fat choy', 'happy new year'; that is what people from across the Brisbane southside electorate of Moreton are already saying to each other in the lead-up to Lunar New...
- Charlton, Dr Susan Lyndsay (Sue), AM (1 speech)
I rise today to honour the life and service of Dr Sue Charlton, a deeply respected South Australian whose passing is being felt strongly in Mount Gambier and across the Limestone Coast. Sue was a...
- Bandyup Women's Prison (1 speech)
I come from a place of incredible privilege. Like many here, I have been afforded an education, a roof over my head and a life free from violence. I recently visited Bandyup Women's Prison in...
- Molineux, Ms Sophie Grace (1 speech)
Like all members in this place, I do enjoy the opportunity to speak at my local schools on occasion. Among the key messages that I like to pass onto students is just a little reminder that you...
- Myuna Colliery (1 speech)
I rise today to stand with the workers of Myuna Colliery, their families and the Lake Macquarie community being treated as a throwaway item by Origin Energy. For more than three years, I've stood...
- Ku-ring-gai Rural Fire Service (1 speech)
In scenes all too familiar to Australians, my community watched with dismay at the devasting bushfires in Victoria this summer. As blazes tore through the state, I was incredibly proud to learn...
- Braddon Electorate: Health Care (1 speech)
Thanks to the Albanese Labor government, residents of Braddon now have access to free mental health care with the opening of a temporary pop-up Medicare mental health centre in Burnie. Located in...
- Sydney Youth Musical Theatre (1 speech)
The Berowra electorate is home to some extraordinary young performing talent, and that talent will be on display at the Sydney Youth Musical Theatre's production of 9-5, which will be running...
- Housing (2 speeches)
Dorothy from The Wizard of Oz clicked her heels three times and said, 'There's no place like home.' And she's right. There is no place like home. And a home is exactly what John, Yolanda and Luca...
- Ministry (0 speeches)
- Temporary Arrangements (1 speech)
I inform the House that the Minister for Social Services is representing myself at the state funeral service of Professor the Hon. Dame Marie Bashir and will be absent from question time today. I...
- Questions without Notice (0 speeches)
- Economy (16 speeches)
My question is to the Prime Minister. Under Labor, Australians are living with higher prices and increasing interest rates. While the Treasurer blames the private sector, Australia's leading...
- Defence Properties (2 speeches)
My question is to the Deputy Prime Minister. How is the Albanese Labor government ensuring the future of the defence estate, and what will this mean for defence capability?
- Bondi Beach: Attack (2 speeches)
My question is for the Leader of the House. Two weeks ago this parliament passed legislation to respond to the Bondi terror attack. The crossbench was required to vote on legislation mere hours...
- Australian Defence Force (2 speeches)
My question is to the Prime Minister. How is the Albanese Labor government backing our defence forces by making sure that they have access to the investment assets and infrastructure that they...
- Distinguished Visitors (0 speeches)
- Acknowledgement (1 speech)
I'm pleased to advise the house that present in the gallery today are Meg Brown, member for Franklin and shadow minister in the Tasmanian House of Assembly, and Councillor John Daw, a former...
- Questions without Notice (0 speeches)
- Economy (4 speeches)
My question goes to the Treasurer. Shane Oliver, AMP chief economist, said, 'The best thing that Australian governments can do to help bring down inflation would be to cut government spending'....
- Budget (2 speeches)
My question is to the Treasurer. How has the Albanese Labor government approached the task of budget repair? How does this compare with other approaches?
- Interest Rates (2 speeches)
My question is to the Treasurer. The Reserve Bank decision to increase interest rates will place more cost-of-living pressure on Australian families. When the Reserve Bank cut rates in August...
- National Disability Insurance Scheme (2 speeches)
My question is to the Minister for Health and Ageing and Minister for Disability and the NDIS. How is the Albanese Labor government securing the future of the NDIS and delivering more funding and...
- Interest Rates (2 speeches)
My question is to the Prime Minister. Under Labor, families have seen their mortgage repayments rise, their savings stretched and their cost of living worsen 13 times. This did not happen by...
- Education (6 speeches)
My question is to the Minister for Education. As students across the country head back to school, what is the Albanese Labor government doing to ensure Australian kids get the best start...
- Distinguished Visitors (0 speeches)
- Acknowledgement (1 speech)
I'm pleased to advise the House that Councillor Yolanda Kanyai from the City of Palmerston, as a guest of the member for Solomon, has also joined us in the gallery today. Honourable members:...
- Questions without Notice (0 speeches)
- Energy (4 speeches)
My question is to the Minister for Climate Change and Energy. The Prime Minister promised that Labor's energy plan would reduce household electricity bills by $275 per year by 2025. Minister, why...
- Medicare (2 speeches)
My question is to the Minister for Health and Ageing. How are the Albanese Labor government's record investments in bulk-billing helping to strengthen Medicare after a decade of cuts and neglect?
- Economy (2 speeches)
My question goes to the Treasurer. Scores of economists, including those referenced already in question time today from Deloitte to AMP to HSBC, are all saying that the Treasurer's reckless...
- Queensland: Infrastructure (5 speeches)
My question is to the Minister for Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government. How is the Albanese Labor government delivering the infrastructure and transport regional...
- Labor Government (9 speeches)
My question is for the Prime Minister. Since you came to office in 2022, parliamentary committees have prepared 78 reports and hundreds of recommendations on policy areas ranging from domestic...
- Defence Equipment (3 speeches)
My question is to the Minister for Defence Industry. How is a united Albanese Labor government delivering defence capability to keep Australians safe? What approaches has the government rejected?
- Water Infrastructure (7 speeches)
Treasurer, young mothers today must have a paying job and be a wife, cook, family bookkeeper, kid chauffeur, house cleaner, laundry lady and go to church on Sunday. Not surprisingly, when 20...
- Housing (2 speeches)
My question is for the Minister for Housing, Minister for Homelessness and Minister for Cities. What is the Albanese Labor government doing to build more houses and help more Australians into...
- Economy (8 speeches)
My question goes to the Treasurer. The RBA governor explained yesterday's decision to raise interest rates, saying this: … we work with aggregate demand … and, 'We're seeing aggregate...
- Aged Care (2 speeches)
My question is to the Minister for Aged Care and Seniors. How is the Albanese Labor government delivering more well-paid, secure jobs for aged-care workers in Australia, including those in the...
- Energy (6 speeches)
My question is to the Minister for Climate Change and Energy. Given the Prime Minister's broken promise that households would be $275 better off on their power bills by 2025, and with families...
- Domestic, Family and Sexual Violence (2 speeches)
My question is to the Attorney-General. What is the Albanese Labor government doing to promote the safety of women and children, and how is the government working towards ending gender based...
- Economy (4 speeches)
My question is to the Prime Minister. Prime Minister, Leigh, from Pacific Pines in my electorate, wrote to me yesterday about Labor's latest interest rate hike. Leigh told me: 'It will kill me....
- Energy (6 speeches)
My question is to the Minister for Climate Change and Energy. How is the Albanese Labor government delivering a cleaner, cheaper and more reliable energy system for Australia? What are the...
- Defence Properties (9 speeches)
My question is to the Minister for Defence. Minister, the rationalisation of the Defence estate was long overdue, and I am supportive in principle. However, media reporting today appears to be...
- Australian Parliament (11 speeches)
My question is to the Leader of the House. Why was the sessional order changed yesterday, and will the House be required to adopt a new sessional order tomorrow?
- Statement by the Speaker (0 speeches)
- Questions to the Speaker (0 speeches)
- Questions in Writing (4 speeches)
Speaker, in accordance with standing order 105(b), I wish to draw your attention to multiple overdue questions in writing, including question 22 to the Minister for Infrastructure, Transport,...
- Documents (0 speeches)
- Presentation (1 speech)
These documents are tabled in accordance with the list circulated to the honourable members earlier today. Full details of the documents will be recorded in the Votes and Proceedings.
- Matters of Public Importance (0 speeches)
- Cost of Living (18 speeches)
I have received a letter from the honourable the Leader of the Nationals proposing that a definite matter of public importance be submitted to the House for discussion, namely: This Government's...
- Committees (0 speeches)
- Bills (0 speeches)
- Adjournment (0 speeches)
- Australian Flag, Hinkler Electorate: Industry (1 speech)
It's the one symbol for mateship, freedom and a fair go for all: the Australian flag. On the recent Australia Day long weekend, I was proud to attend awards and citizenship ceremonies in my...
- Bendigo Electorate: Bushfires (1 speech)
On 9 January, a Friday, a grassfire started on Fogarty's Gap Road in Ravenswood South in the electorate of Bendigo. It burnt out of control for approximately a week—a fast-moving grassfire....
- Western Australia: Agriculture Industry, Live Animal Exports: Sheep (1 speech)
Tonight I rise to give a big shout-out to the grain growers of Western Australia and also to update the House on the plight of sheep producers across Western Australia. Let's start with the good...
- Somali House, Citizenship (1 speech)
Thank you very much, Mr Speaker. This weekend past, you and I had the very great privilege of being able to attend the opening of Somali House, a brand new headquarters in Acacia Ridge, having...
- Interest Rates (1 speech)
It's always a great privilege to rise in this place. One of the things about this place is, of course, tradition and the honour that we give to the democracy of Australia. But there are so many...
- Bullwinkel Electorate: Health Care, Australia Day Awards and Honours (1 speech)
It's an honour to stand here today and speak about the incredible community that I represent in the electorate of Bullwinkel. As many of you know, my journey to this place began as a nurse and a...
- Constituency Statements (0 speeches)
- Disability Support Pension (1 speech)
Australians living with disability deserve dignity, independence and fairness. The current partner income test for the disability support pension undermines these fundamental human rights. The...
- Kyneton Women's Football Club (1 speech)
I rise to support the Kyneton Women's Football Club and call on the AFL to let them play. The Kyneton women's football team broke away from the Kyneton Tigers at the start of 2025. They formed a...
- Gun Control, Freedom of Speech, Australian Society, Renewable Energy (1 speech)
This is my first constituency statement since coming back after the Christmas break, and there are a range of important issues that I want to convey to my electorate and to the Australian...
- Education (1 speech)
School is back for 2026, much to the joy and relief of parents everywhere, including my own colleagues here. Now is a great time to reflect on what Labor governments have been delivering for...
- Parkes Electorate: Australia Day (1 speech)
I was born and raised in Australia, and, alongside millions of other Australians, I'm proud to call Australia home. Australians have many beginnings. Some journeys began with a dream of finding a...
- Bean Electorate: Community Events, Canberra: Bhutanese Community (1 speech)
Congratulations to Probus on recently celebrating its 50th anniversary. It's a fantastic milestone, and I wish to extend my congratulations to members who have helped build this community across...
- Gippsland Electorate: Roads, Cycling Without Age (1 speech)
'Just fix our bloody roads.' That is the constant message I'm receiving from Gippslanders. Whether it's from families, truck drivers or holidaymakers, they are coming to my office and they are...
- Laverty, Mr Declan (1 speech)
One of the great privileges of this role is speaking with community and getting in and amongst your constituents. Recently, though, I had a meeting with one of my constituents, Samara Laverty. It...
- Riverina Electorate: Australia Day (1 speech)
We all have them in our electorates—those selfless volunteers who are the very glue that binds our communities together. On Australia Day we recognise them, acknowledge them and honour...
- Education, Banks Electorate: Australia Day (1 speech)
As members of this place, we all have the pleasure of attending end-of-year presentations at local schools. It has been one of my favourite things to do since being elected to this parliament. In...
- Australia Day Awards and Honours (1 speech)
I want to acknowledge the local recipients from the Berowra electorate in the Australia Day Honours List. Jan Childs was awarded the Medal of the Order of Australia for her contribution to the...
- Werriwa Electorate: Community Events (1 speech)
Representing a multicultural electorate like Werriwa is a privilege. It means that I receive so many generous invites to community, religious and other celebrations. These events highlight what...
- Economy (1 speech)
Yesterday, the Labor government's economic mismanagement again reached into the homes of the Morning Peninsula and landed with bigger bills on the kitchen table. Over the past four years, they've...
- Barton Electorate: Hurstville Public School (1 speech)
I rise today to celebrate one of the many examples of community collaboration and inclusivity that define my electorate of Barton. In December last year, Hurstville Public School opened the first...
- Lindsay Electorate: Australia Day Honours and Awards (1 speech)
People in my community of Lindsay love Australia Day. They celebrate it. We have a great time making sure that we acknowledge our neighbours and celebrate loving our country. Part of that is, of...
- Bass Electorate: Laurel House (1 speech)
I'd like to begin by acknowledging the essential role Laurel House plays in supporting our community, providing critical and compassionate services to individuals, families and communities across...
- Barker Electorate: Australia Day Honours and Awards (1 speech)
I rise today to recognise and congratulate the outstanding Australians from the electorate of Barker who have been honoured as part of the Australia Day honours and awards. Australia Day honours...
- Macquarie Electorate: Australia Day Honours and Awards (1 speech)
I'm so proud to recognise the 13 recipients of Australia Day honours from Macquarie. Carol Edds and Farah Madon have each become a member of the Order of Australia, an AM. Carol has been...
- Bowman Electorate: Australia Day (1 speech)
Australia Day holds a special place in the heart of the people of my electorate. In the Redlands, we celebrate our national day unashamedly and with immense pride. This year was no exception....
- Perth: Attack (2 speeches)
'They can do whatever they want, but they'll never stop the voices of our people, because we are warriors.' These are the measured words of Uncle Herbert Bropho following the direct attack on...
- Bills (0 speeches)
- Veterans' Affairs Legislation Amendment (Miscellaneous Measures No. 2) Bill 2025; Second Reading (5 speeches)
When addressing the graduating class of the Australian Defence Force Academy last year, Governor-General Sam Mostyn AC said: You have prepared yourselves to live ADFA's motto: to lead, to excel....
- Corporations Amendment (Digital Assets Framework) Bill 2025; Second Reading (12 speeches)
When I was a little girl, I used to be incredibly excited to get my pocket money—like many other children across the breadth of this nation. For me, that was $5, and I would pop it into a...
- Translating and Interpreting Services Bill 2025; Second Reading (12 speeches)
What do Shona, Pulaar, Sinhalese, Dinka and Zo all have in common? These are languages from southern Africa, West Africa, Sri Lanka, South Sudan and Burma. All are offered by the TIS, the...
- Condolences (0 speeches)
- Bolkus, Hon. Nick (2 speeches)
It's with a lot of sadness but also a great deal of affection and pride that I want to make a contribution on the motion that was moved by the Prime Minister and the Leader of the Opposition's...
