House debates
Tuesday, 10 February 2026
- Bills (0 speeches)
- Business (0 speeches)
- Orders of the Day (1 speech)
I declare that Federation Chamber order of the day No. 2, government business, relating to the death of the Hon. Nick Bolkus stands returned to the House for further consideration.
- Bills (0 speeches)
- Statements by Members (0 speeches)
- Bondi Beach Attack Victims (1 speech)
I was unable to speak earlier on the formal Bondi condolence motion brought to this parliament, so I rise today to express my support for that motion. My heart goes out to the victims of the...
- Ward, Chloe (1 speech)
I rise today to recognise Chloe Ward, who, last month, was named young citizen of the year by Wingecarribee Shire Council for her leadership in environmental sustainability, community service and...
- Banking and Financial Services (1 speech)
The announcement made by People First Bank to close their branch at Oakey was a real kick in the guts for the local community. This is a great regional town. It's got meatworks, huge feedlots, an...
- The Chinese Australian Services Society (1 speech)
The Chinese Australian Services Society, or CASS, is a pillar of care, connection and compassion not just for Chinese Australians but for Korean, Vietnamese and Indonesian communities across New...
- Defence Estate (1 speech)
Reform of the defence estate is long overdue, and it's a credit to the federal government that it's finally trying to sort out all the unused, under-utilised, inefficient and unsuitable stock....
- National Multicultural Festival (1 speech)
This past weekend, Canberra held its annual multicultural festival, one of the highlights of the calendar every year. And—while it's rare you'll find me praising events held on the wrong...
- Appelbee, Austin (1 speech)
Today I want to honour a young man who put his life on the line for his family. Our story begins on the WA south coast last month, where a family holiday became a life-or-death emergency. A mum...
- Superannuation (1 speech)
As the father of two young children, one of whom is very much looking forward to her first part-time job, I spend a lot of time thinking about them and their future and how we can best set them...
- Lyne Electorate: Cenotaph Fundraiser (1 speech)
Over 170 people came together on Saturday 31 January at Club Old Bar to raise funds for a permanent war memorial cenotaph. Hosted by the Old Bar Beach RSL sub-branch and Pete Johnson with the...
- Illegal Fishing (1 speech)
In October of 2025, Minister Julian Hill and I travelled to the Torres Strait. We did this to sit with Border Force, community leaders and elders to discuss illegal foreign fishing. We knew that,...
- Cook Electorate: Australia Day Honours and Awards (1 speech)
Today, I wish to recognise and congratulate several outstanding members of my local community who have been honoured through the Order of Australia and the Australian military honours system. I'd...
- Rae, Ms Barbara (1 speech)
Last Friday in Bendigo, a new statue was unveiled, of Barbara Rae, honouring our town as the home of the first women's cricket match to be held in Australia and the contribution that Barbara Rae...
- Sunraysia Softball Association (1 speech)
I rise today to pay tribute to the Sunraysia Softball Association in my electorate of Mallee. It was a great privilege to attend this event on Saturday. The community gathered to honour dedicated...
- MJS Line Dance (1 speech)
I want to congratulate MJS Line Dance of Kurri Kurri on an outstanding achievement and recognise a group proving that rhythm is alive and well in the Hunter. At the Australian Line Dance...
- Queensland: Tobacco Control (1 speech)
I rise to acknowledge the Crisafulli government's efforts to crack down on the illegal tobacco and vape trade in Queensland. Over just 10 days in December, 148 illegal stores were hit with 90-day...
- Tertiary Education and Training (1 speech)
Three years ago the Liberals called free TAFE 'wasteful spending'. The Leader of the Liberal Party even promised to scrap it. Well, fast forward to today, and more than 725,000 Australians have...
- Australian National Flag (1 speech)
The Australian flag is far more than cloth and colour. Under this flag, generations of Australians have fought and fallen. They gave their lives to protect this land and to protect the freedoms...
- Our Ways — Strong Ways — Our Voices (1 speech)
Seven women have been murdered by their partners this year. Three of those women were First Nations women. We know Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women are seven times more likely to be...
- Jones, Ms Bianca Adrienne, Morton-Bowles, Ms Holly Jayne (1 speech)
I'm calling on the Prime Minister to immediately summon the Laotian ambassador to address shocking revelations that those responsible for the deaths of Bianca Jones and Holly Morton-Bowles...
- Labor Government (4 speeches)
Australians expect their government to be focused on them, on the cost of living, on secure work and on the services people rely on every day. That is exactly what the Albanese Labor government...
- Condolences (0 speeches)
- Bolkus, Hon. Nick (1 speech)
The question is that the motion be agreed to. I ask all present to signify their approval by rising in their places. Question agreed to, honourable members standing in their places.
- Questions without Notice (0 speeches)
- Jones, Ms Bianca Adrienne, Morton-Bowles, Ms Holly Jayne (2 speeches)
My question is to the Prime Minister. As a mother, I was devastated to see the fathers of Bianca Jones and Holly Morton-Bowles front the media today following revelations that those responsible...
- Cybersafety (2 speeches)
My question is to the Minister for Communications. What action is the Albanese government taking to protect Australian children from harm on the gaming platform Roblox?
- Palestine Action Group: Protest (10 speeches)
My question is to the Prime Minister. In response to President Herzog's visit, who was found by a UN commission to have incited genocide, peaceful protesters were last night subjected to horrific...
- Family, Domestic and Sexual Violence (2 speeches)
My question is to the Minister for Social Services. Minister, how is the Albanese Labor government helping to end the violence against Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women and children?
- Distinguished Visitors (0 speeches)
- Acknowledgement (1 speech)
I'm please to inform the House that present in the gallery today is a parliamentary delegation from the United Kingdom led by Nick Smith MP, the chair of the Administration Committee of the House...
- Questions without Notice (0 speeches)
- Economy (5 speeches)
My question goes to the Treasurer. High inflation hurts all Australians—whether you're paying a mortgage, renting, running a business, or just trying to make ends meet. Treasurer these are...
- Renewable Energy (12 speeches)
My question is to the Minister for Climate Change and Energy. What is the total cost to taxpayers of the Albanese government's expensive and reckless renewables-only energy policy?
- Gig Industry (2 speeches)
My question is to the Minister for Employment and Workplace Relations. How is the Albanese Labor government backing workers in the gig economy? Why was this change necessary, and how does it...
- Cost of Living (4 speeches)
My question is to the Prime Minister. Parramatta small-business owner Danielle has said, 'People are maxed out on their credit cards, and they're already skipping meals, sacrificing their own...
- General Practitioners (4 speeches)
My question is to the Minister for Health and Ageing. What's the Albanese Labor government doing to increase the supply of doctors and encourage more doctors to be GPs? How does training more GPS...
- Renewable Energy (2 speeches)
My question is to the Minister for Climate Change and Energy. How many thousands of wind turbines and how many millions of solar panels are required to be installed to meet the 82 per cent...
- Aged Care (4 speeches)
My question is to the Minister for Aged Care and Seniors. How is the Albanese Labor government delivering real reform in aged care? Why were these reforms necessary?
- Cost of Living (2 speeches)
My question is to the Treasurer. Australians are worried about inflation. There's been a lot of arguing in this House about whose fault it is, but the question I'm being asked is: what is the...
- Illegal Fishing (2 speeches)
My question is to the Minister for Home Affairs. What is the Albanese Labor government doing to combat illegal foreign fishing in the Torres Strait?
- Tame, Ms Grace (2 speeches)
My question is to the Prime Minister. A senior member of the Prime Minister's cabinet, the Minister for Social Services and member for Sydney, today refused to specifically condemn Grace Tame's...
- Rural, Regional and Remote Australia: Infrastructure (11 speeches)
My question is to the Minister for Regional Development, Local Government and Territories. What is the Albanese Labor government doing to improve local roads and infrastructure?
- Statement by the Speaker (0 speeches)
- Parliamentary Standards (1 speech)
Before members leave, I'm going to address a matter before the House. I want to address the House about a matter that happened earlier in question time today. I'm deeply concerned about the...
- 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)
- Migration (44 speeches)
I have received a letter from the honourable member for Kennedy proposing that a definite matter of public importance be submitted to the House for discussion, namely: The urgent need for the...
- Committees (0 speeches)
- Bills (0 speeches)
- Adjournment (0 speeches)
- Migration (1 speech)
I wished to speak on today's matter of public importance, but I unfortunately missed out. I would take issue with the member for Wentworth's statement, which was: I think we need to build a...
- Jagajaga Electorate: Australia Day Honours and Awards, Geary, Mr Mick (1 speech)
My community of Jagajaga is home to some truly remarkable people. It is a place shaped by volunteers, health professionals, educators, advocates and community leaders. These are people who...
- Day, Mr Ali, Surf Lifesaving (1 speech)
The Gold Coast is home to some of our nation's most extraordinary athletes, and I rise to acknowledge and celebrate the incredible career and retirement of one of Australia's greatest surf...
- Tasmania: Arts and Culture (1 speech)
In a world where many of us are feeling increasingly lost, overwhelmed or disheartened, I want to take a moment this evening to reflect on something that has brought real joy, connection and hope...
- Cost of Living (1 speech)
Australians are doing it tough, right now, and, beyond this chamber, families and small businesses are under immense pressure, with little relief in sight. Make no mistake: this is Labor's...
- Australian Society (1 speech)
I know from conversations in my community that many Australians are increasingly disturbed about the way that our country is being portrayed on social media and in the mainstream media. If you...
- Grievance Debate (0 speeches)
- Trust in Government (1 speech)
I'd like to talk today about trust and how to build it, particularly trust in government. The ANU Australian Election Study recently found that only one in three Australians believe that people...
- Education (1 speech)
In my first speech in this place I talked about my grandparents living in poverty in Northern Ireland, and how they knew that education was the key to make sure that never happened to their...
- Cost of Living, Berowra Electorate: Infrastructure, Australia Post (1 speech)
As we enter the year 2026 and students go back to school and parents return to work, one thing is constantly discussed with me across my electorate and that is how much harder life has got under...
- Science: Women in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics, Bennell-Pegg, Ms Katherine (1 speech)
When a teacher asked Katherine Bennell-Pegg to list three careers, she wrote only one word and that was 'astronaut'; she never added a second or a third. And this was not about wishing upon a...
- Cook Electorate: Community Events (1 speech)
I want to recognise the Richie Walker Aquathlon, organised by the Cronulla Triathlon Club and run last weekend in my electorate. I'd like to particularly thank Steve Papworth, the race organiser...
- Tangney Electorate: Energy (1 speech)
When I recently met with the Melville City Climate Action Network, also known as MCCAN, the group's members shared with me the success of their ongoing campaign called Electrify Melville City....
- Statements by Members (0 speeches)
- South Australia: Bushfires (1 speech)
Last week in my electorate around the Deep Creek National Park on the southern Fleurieu Peninsula, we had a bushfire that burned out of control for a week before being officially contained on...
- Eastick, Dr Bruce Charles (1 speech)
Today I speak to acknowledge the life and legacy of Bruce Eastick, a giant of our community in the north and a man whose leadership, wisdom and service helped shape Gawler and South Australia for...
- Aged Care (1 speech)
This Labor government said they would put the care back into aged care, but instead they are blithely presiding over an aged-care crisis. Every week, I am contacted by Mallee locals who are worse...
- Hasluck Electorate: Industry and Innovation (1 speech)
I'm continually amazed at the spirit of innovation on display amongst businesses and community organisations in my electorate. Cyclowest is a radiopharmaceutical manufacturer in Bayswater....
- Casey Electorate: Veteran and Community Organisations (1 speech)
Our veterans served and sacrificed for our national flag, our country and our democracy, and we stand here today in this House and look up at that same flag, which flies above this building. It...
- Watson Electorate: Lunar New Year, Zia, Begum Khaleda (1 speech)
This month marks the celebration of Lunar New Year—a big deal in my part of Sydney—and just on the weekend I joined hundreds of locals in Bankstown to kick off the early celebrations...
- Domestic and Family Violence (1 speech)
Australia is facing a national crisis in domestic and family violence. Intimate partner homicide rates are rising, not falling. In 2023-24, 46 women were killed by a current or former partner....
- Bennell-Pegg, Ms Katherine (1 speech)
Today I rise to acknowledge and to celebrate an extraordinary resident of Adelaide's western suburbs: Katherine Bennell-Pegg, whose achievements continue to inspire Australians right across the...
- Australia Day Honours and Awards (1 speech)
Australia Day is one of my favourite days on the calendar. This year I spent the day in two very special places—Maleny and Kawana—welcoming new Australians at citizenship ceremonies....
- Health Care (1 speech)
I want to update the House on some very positive news for my community in relation to health services and provision. Firstly, there are the Albanese government's highly successful urgent care...
- O'Connor Electorate: Agriculture (1 speech)
I rise today to give this speech in memory of O'Connor constituent, Mark Huisman, an innovative deer farmer and loving husband of Keeva. Since Mark's untimely passing last July, Keeva has worked...
- Moreton Electorate: Runcorn State High School (1 speech)
Runcorn State High School is having a very special anniversary this year. The school was founded in 1986—a very good vintage, if I do say so myself—and, like me, will celebrate its...
- Goldstein Electorate: Awards and Honours (1 speech)
The Goldstein medal acknowledges the incredible efforts of so many young residents in the Goldstein community who embody the values of their school, stand up and take responsibility and most...
- Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme, Huntly North Cricket Club (1 speech)
It's been over one month since Labor's cheaper medicines became even cheaper, with us capping the most you'll pay for medicines on the PBS at $25. Millions of Australians are now paying less for...
- Casey Hospital (1 speech)
When it comes to any parent, any time their child needs emergency attention and goes to hospital, they want to make sure the child is seen very quickly. It's the same with anyone who needs to go...
- Shaw, Mr (2 speeches)
I rise to pay my respects to Mr Shaw, a name deeply embedded in the history of Central Australia. Mr Shaw was a leader of conviction, of principle and of integrity. He fought for what was...
- Australia Day Awards and Honours (1 speech)
The electorate of Longman that I serve is very diverse, and at times it has had more than its fair share of knockers. However, having been part of that community for most of my life, and being...
- Medicare (1 speech)
Our government, the Albanese government, promised a Medicare urgent care clinic for Coburg in my electorate at the election, and now we are delivering on our promise. In the coming weeks the...
- Nicholls Electorate: Agriculture (1 speech)
It's a very exciting and rewarding time in my electorate of Nicholls in the Goulburn Valley, in the food bowl of Australia, the food bowl of South East Asia, because it's harvest time. Now, the...
- Griffith Electorate: Medicare Urgent Care Clinics (2 speeches)
In Griffith, Medicare matters most for the times that you can't plan for—a sudden fever after dinner, a pain that worsens on the drive home, a kid who hurts themselves on a Saturday...
- Bills (0 speeches)
- Condolences (0 speeches)
- Jonceski, Mr Ljupco (Luch) (7 speeches)
I would like to join with other members of this chamber and acknowledge and pay my respects to Ljupco Jonceski, or, as we all knew him, Luch. Luch, sadly, passed away on New Year's Eve. I hope it...
