House debates
Wednesday, 12 August 2026
- Committees (0 speeches)
- Selection Committee; Report (1 speech)
I present report No. 13 of the Selection Committee relating to the consideration of committee and delegation business and private members' business on Monday 17 August 2026. The report will be...
- Governor-General's Speech (0 speeches)
- Address-in-Reply (1 speech)
The question is that the address be agreed to. Question agreed to. I have ascertained that Her Excellency the Governor-General will be pleased to receive the address-in-reply at Government House...
- Motions (0 speeches)
- International Relations: Australia and Japan (5 speeches)
I move: That so much of the standing and sessional orders be suspended as would prevent the Leader of the Opposition from moving the following motion immediately—That this House: (1)...
- Bills (0 speeches)
- Documents (0 speeches)
- Bills (0 speeches)
- Business (0 speeches)
- Suspension of Standing and Sessional Orders (1 speech)
I move: That so much of the standing and sessional orders be suspended as would prevent, the following from occurring in relation to business for Monday, 17 August 2026: (1) the House adjourning...
- Bills (0 speeches)
- Statements by Members (0 speeches)
- Landcare Week (1 speech)
It was recently Landcare Week and I'm proud to acknowledge the active and important presence of Landcare across my electorate for an incredible 40 years. Landcare is a remarkable community based...
- Solomon Electorate: Darwin Nines (2 speeches)
Only in Darwin could you bring together Larrakia, Tiwi, Wadjigan, Ireland, New Zealand, Greece, Africa and the US Marines for an Aussie Rules competition. The sixth Darwin Nines was held on the...
- Agriculture Industry (1 speech)
() (): My constituents presented me with a question to bring to the chamber: Are we, within this chamber, committed to productivity for Australia—regional employment, growing and exporting...
- Workplace Relations (1 speech)
I think it's safe to say that we all know the feeling of getting home after a long day at work and having absolutely no desire to step into the kitchen and cook dinner. For some these days, a...
- Gas Industry (1 speech)
Australia is a land of vast natural wealth, yet we have become a giant quarry for the rest of the world. Could be a good thing, but is it? Many countries provide heavy subsidies and reserve much...
- Glasgow Commonwealth Games (1 speech)
There must be something in the waters of Moreton Bay in Bonner because, once again, our corner of Australia has produced some extraordinary sporting talent. At the Glasgow Commonwealth Games four...
- Private Health Insurance (1 speech)
My electorate is outraged over the Albanese government's decision to cut the higher private health insurance rebate for older Australians. I've received countless phone calls, letters, emails and...
- Alkira Disability Services (1 speech)
Alkira Disability Services is an amazing NDIS provider who has been supporting my community in Box Hill for over 70 years. I've been fortunate to visit Alkira a number of times in the past few...
- Private Health Insurance (1 speech)
I condemn the Albanese Labor government's appalling $11 billion attack on older Australians through its cuts to the loading on the private health insurance rebate. At a time when people are...
- Rail Safety Week (1 speech)
Set fire to your hair. Poke a stick at a grizzly bear. Teach yourself how to fly in a two-week-old unrefrigerated pie. This Rail Safety Week we are reminded that those are dumb ways to die. Rail...
- Economy (1 speech)
Those opposite have presided over the worst collapse in living standards in the developed world, and I've got to tell you that every galah in the pet shop right now know that we need a change. We...
- Renewable Energy (1 speech)
More than 50,000 home batteries have been installed in WA under the Albanese government's Cheaper Home Batteries Program. I'm particularly pleased to inform the House that my postcode, 6112, in...
- Labor Government: Taxation (1 speech)
Labor's $11 billion private health tax grab is nothing short of a disgrace. It lands hardest on people who can least afford it. In my electorate of Grey, more than 23,000 residents face increases...
- Mental Health: Young Australians (1 speech)
The mental health of young people is an issue very close to my heart. Prior to entering parliament, I served as the CEO of a national youth mental health charity, and I saw every day how early...
- Private Health Insurance (1 speech)
The Albanese government has made a decision that speaks volumes about its priorities, and older Australians are the ones paying for it. For Michael, in his 80s, it means $7 more every week for...
- Liberal Party of Australia (1 speech)
Former prime minister John Howard issued a clarion call to today's Liberal Party. Don't countenance a coalition with One Nation. Find your principles and oppose their divisive politics. Pauline...
- Labor Government (1 speech)
I just want to read to the House something that is very stark and very sobering. It comes from realestate.com.au, dated 8 August, and it says: Australia has hit its highest risk of mortgage...
- One Nation (1 speech)
As the member for Bennelong, I listen when my predecessors speak. John Alexander told us how to fund high-speed rail. Maxine McKew was part of the education revolution, modernising school halls...
- Taxation: Health Insurance (1 speech)
On the one hand, Labor hands out welfare and home deposits to non-citizens. On the other hand, Labor is cutting the private health insurance rebate to older Australians. What a disgrace! The...
- Hunter Electorate: Eather Family (2 speeches)
This year, the Eather family is celebrating something pretty special: 200 years of farming in the Hunter Valley. That's two centuries of hard work, family resilience and having a crack. That...
- Distinguished Visitors (0 speeches)
- Acknowledgement (1 speech)
I'm pleased to inform the house that present in the Special Visitors Gallery today is His Excellency the Hon. Keith Pitt, Ambassador to the Holy See. Welcome back, Mr Pitt.
- Questions without Notice (0 speeches)
- International Relations: Australia and Japan (4 speeches)
My question is to the Prime Minister. Millions of Australians have now seen with their own eyes the Prime Minister's appalling behaviour on the Bush Deep podcast. Now, he embarrasses all of us by...
- Economy (2 speeches)
My question is to the Prime Minister. How is the Albanese Labor government delivering real change to strengthen Australia's economy, including by backing workers' wages and aspiration? What are...
- International Relations: Australia and Japan (2 speeches)
My question goes to the Prime Minister. Can the Prime Minister assure the House that neither his office nor his department leaked official and private correspondence from the government of Japan?...
- Early Childhood Education and Care (2 speeches)
My question is to the Minister for Education. What is the Albanese Labor government doing to support early educators while keeping costs down for parents? What has been the response?
- Avian Influenza (2 speeches)
My question is to the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry. We know that Australia's species extinction crisis is due to habitat destruction, invasive species and runaway climate...
- Aged-Care Workforce (2 speeches)
My question is to the Minister for Aged Care and Seniors. How are pay rises delivering real change for aged-care workers and the older Australians they care for? Why is this change needed, after...
- Distinguished Visitors (0 speeches)
- Acknowledgement (1 speech)
I'm pleased to inform the House that present in the gallery today is Mr Ben Goldsborough MP, the member for South Norfolk in the UK parliament. I'm also pleased to inform the House that present...
- Questions without Notice (0 speeches)
- Taxation (2 speeches)
My question is to the Prime Minister. Yesterday, the Prime Minister accused millions of Australians who have used capital gains tax and negative gearing to get ahead of taking 'taxpayer funded...
- Economy (5 speeches)
My question is to the Treasurer. What is the Albanese Labor government doing to help with the cost of living, ease pressure on Australians and improve the budget? How does that compare to other...
- Taxation (8 speeches)
My question is to the Prime Minister. Last week, the member for Sturt reportedly told a constituent she's working on big changes to the Prime Minister's toxic taxes on young people and shares....
- Personal Information and Privacy (2 speeches)
My question is to the Attorney-General. What action is the Albanese Labor government taking to address the privacy implications of smart glasses?
- Distinguished Visitors (0 speeches)
- Acknowledgement (1 speech)
I'm pleased to advise the House that on the floor of parliament today is a historic delegation from the national parliament of Timor-Leste, led by the first female president of the national...
- Questions without Notice (0 speeches)
- Migration (3 speeches)
My question is to the Prime Minister. By bringing 1.5 million migrants into Australia over the past four years, Labor's record of migration has killed the Australian dream of homeownership. How...
- Energy (2 speeches)
My question is to the Minister for Climate Change and Energy. How is the Albanese Labor government delivering real change for Australians when it comes to energy? What policies would put a stop...
- Housing (3 speeches)
My question is to the Prime Minister. In Fowler, 46 per cent of renting households are in rental stress and median personal income is $520 a week. Sydney house rents rose $50 a week last quarter....
- Pacific Islands (2 speeches)
My question is to the Minister for Pacific Island Affairs. How is the Albanese Labor government working to help make our region safer, more prosperous and more resilient? How will the network of...
- Distinguished Visitors (0 speeches)
- Acknowledgement (1 speech)
I'm pleased to advise the House that we have present in the gallery—as guests of the member for Groom—Jim Rawlings, Tony Beverland and Tom Carroll from the Toowoomba Chamber of...
- Questions without Notice (0 speeches)
- Private Health Insurance (2 speeches)
My question is to the Prime Minister. Today I met with older Australians at Parliament House who are scared of Labor's $11 billion tax on private health insurance. This health tax means older...
- Housing: Domestic and Family Violence (4 speeches)
My question is to the Minister for Housing. How is the Albanese Labor government providing safe and secure housing for women and children escaping family and domestic violence? And what are the...
- Albanese Government (5 speeches)
My question is to the Prime Minister. I've referred to the National Anti-Corruption Commission my concern that individuals in the federal government, when formulating gambling policy, have been...
- Medicare (3 speeches)
My question is to the Minister for Health and Ageing. How is the Albanese Labor government strengthening Medicare and making it easier to see a doctor for free after a decade of cuts and neglect?
- Dental Health (11 speeches)
This week is Dentists on the Hill week. Dental decay remains the most common preventable chronic disease in Australian children. Roughly one in three children has tooth decay by school entry, and...
- International Relations: Australia and Japan (2 speeches)
My question goes to the Prime Minister. The Prime Minister has now been asked three times why he will not apologise to the Prime Minister of Japan for his appalling behaviour on the Bush Deep...
- Tertiary Education and Training (3 speeches)
My question is to the Minister for Skills and Training. How is the Albanese Labor government's free TAFE program backing Australians, including in the Torres Strait, to get the skills they need...
- Statements (0 speeches)
- Documents (0 speeches)
- Presentation (1 speech)
These 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.
- Matters of Public Importance (0 speeches)
- Cost of Living (22 speeches)
I have received a letter from the honourable member for Goldstein proposing that a definite matter of public importance be submitted to the House for discussion, namely: The Government's...
- Committees (0 speeches)
- Law Enforcement Joint Committee; Report (1 speech)
On behalf of the Parliamentary Joint Committee on Law Enforcement, I present the committee's report entitled Capability of law enforcement to respond to money laundering and financial crime....
- 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 9 of 2026. Report made a parliamentary paper in...
- Bills (0 speeches)
- Committees (0 speeches)
- Selection Committee; Report (1 speech)
On behalf of the Speaker, I present a revised report of the Selection Committee relating to the consideration of committee and delegation business and private members business on Monday 17 August...
- Adjournment (0 speeches)
- Indigenous Australians (1 speech)
Less than two weeks ago, ministers and parliamentarians from this place joined Indigenous leaders and leaders from all across Australia at the Garma Festival. Organised by the Yothu Yindi...
- Aged Care, Aged Care Employee Day (1 speech)
In my role, I meet with lots of people from all walks of life doing many different things for the community and for others. Last Friday was Aged Care Employee Day, and I had the opportunity to...
- Senior Australians (1 speech)
It's always a pleasure to follow my friend the member for Sturt, especially after such a beautifully thoughtful contribution on behalf of her community. Last week, I dropped a new Australian flag...
- Future Made in Australia (1 speech)
I have spoken before about how the Liberals broke the social contract with working families by daring Australian manufacturers to move offshore. It was more than neglect; it was economic...
- Housing (1 speech)
Australians have now endured 16 crushing interest rate increases under this Labor government. Why? It's because this government has spent too much, taxed too much and put far too much upward...
- Global Security, Taxation (1 speech)
Since coming to office four years ago, the Albanese government has delivered a range of policies to ease cost-of-living pressures, including: tax cuts for all taxpayers; cheaper medicines;...
- Bills (0 speeches)
- Constituency Statements (0 speeches)
- Census (1 speech)
In recent weeks, I have received a wave of messages from constituents regarding the census. They are very upset and angry that they being required to fill the census out. People are asking: 'Why...
- Tyler, Ms Lorraine, National Lung Cancer Screening Program (1 speech)
Lung cancer remains one of Australia's greatest health challenges and its impact reaches into every community across our nation. The statistics alone are confronting. It's estimated that one in...
- South Australian Country Fire Service (1 speech)
I'd like to recognise the extraordinary contribution of the South Australian Country Fire Service and its thousands of volunteers who protect our communities. Across South Australia, there are...
- Open Pool Australian Lightwater Reactor: 20th Anniversary (1 speech)
Next week is National Science Week, but today is a very special day for the Australian scientific community. The Open Pool Australian Lightwater Reactor, or OPAL, is Australia's only operating...
- Live Animal Exports, Midwest Community Living Association (1 speech)
In the Countryman newspaper last week, it was deeply concerning to read of a petition to stop all live animal export to be tabled by the member for Clark next month. Primary producers across...
- Reid Electorate: Volunteers (1 speech)
One of the things I love most about my electorate is our strong sense of community. What makes our area special is that so many people are willing to lend a hand to others. Every day, volunteers...
- Gambling (1 speech)
There are plenty of fun ways to lose your money on the Mornington Peninsula. For example, you could buy a boat, you could take up golf—or you could put your money through one of our 765...
- Solomon Electorate: Infrastructure (1 speech)
(): There's a lot happening out at East Arm, between Darwin and Palmerston in the great electorate of Solomon. I dropped in to Global Resource Recovery NT recently. Their team is...
- Gympie Carcass Classic, Parliamentary Petitions (1 speech)
I congratulate the Gympie Beef Group for hosting the 2026 Gympie Carcass Classic, which recently celebrated its 39th year of supporting beef producers and industry professionals across Wide Bay....
- Deakin Community Awards (1 speech)
Today I want to talk about a special event I had the privilege of hosting in my community: the 2026 Deakin Community Awards. This special night was about thanking and recognising the people and...
- Hendrick, Mr Howard, DFC, OAM (2 speeches)
I rise today to pay tribute to one of the finest Australians I've had the privilege to know: Flying Officer Howard Hendrick DFC, OAM. Howard passed away recently at the age of 102. He was a...
- Labor Government (1 speech)
Can I also thank and commend the previous speaker for sharing that story with the parliament and recording that tribute in Hansard. We're back for a fortnight of parliament and on day two, the...
- Regional Australia: Telecommunications (1 speech)
I'm pleased to see that the ACCC recently made an announcement of a review into mandated roaming—some 10 years since they last looked at this. Mandated roaming means that if you've got a...
- Albanese Government (1 speech)
I rise to blow the cobwebs out a bit after the winter break, and it gives me a chance to reflect on where the Albanese Labor government sits not only in the history of Labor governments but in...
- Health Care (1 speech)
Healthcare in this country, despite the political spin and the press releases, is under real pressure. In regional communities like mine that pressure continues to mount on families who simply...
- Cunningham Electorate: Community Events (1 speech)
Across Cunningham we have had so many reasons to celebrate lately, with cultural events, community gatherings and significant milestones reached right across the Illawarra. Last week we...
- Thriving Kids Program (1 speech)
When it comes to the NDIS, the key requests from parents and caregivers in my electorate of Mackellar is that small local providers be able to continue supporting their children as they...
- Brisbane Electorate: Community Events (1 speech)
I am passionate about empowering young people to reach their full potential and be the very best versions of themselves. They will write the next chapter of Australia's story, which is why it was...
- McPherson Electorate: Community Events (1 speech)
I rise today to recognise some of the people and organisations I've had the privilege of spending time with across the McPherson electorate in recent weeks. In Tallebudgera Valley, I joined...
- Gorton Electorate: Community Events (2 speeches)
The Aintree Giants football and netball club is a club that embodies the very best of community spirit in Melbourne's growing western suburbs. When the sporting facilities at Aintree were...
- Bills (0 speeches)
- Cash Distribution Framework Bill 2026, Cash Distribution Framework (Consequential Amendments and Transitional Provisions) Bill 2026; Second Reading (13 speeches)
I finished my contribution last night by saying that many rural communities still experience unreliable telecommunications. Just this week, it was reported that telecommunications across the...
- Cash Distribution Framework (Consequential Amendments and Transitional Provisions) Bill 2026; Second Reading (1 speech)
The question is that this bill now be read a second time. I put the question. Question agreed to. Bill read a second time.
- Cash Distribution Framework (Consequential Amendments and Transitional Provisions) Bill 2026; Consideration in Detail (1 speech)
by leave—I move: (1) Schedule 2, item 3, page 11 (after line 33), after subitem (1), insert: (1A) In giving, varying or revoking an interim direction, the ACCC: (a) must have regard to any...
- Therapeutic Goods Amendment (Medicines Shortages and Other Measures) Bill 2026; Second Reading (3 speeches)
No-one knows when they're going to get sick or pick up an injury. That is why having a strong healthcare system is so important. The Labor government's healthcare agenda is ambitious and...
- Therapeutic Goods (Charges) Amendment Bill 2026; Second Reading (1 speech)
The question is that this bill be now read a second time. Question agreed to. Bill read a second time. Ordered that this bill be reported to the House without amendment.
- Biosecurity Amendment (Improving Operational Efficiency) Bill 2026; Second Reading (6 speeches)
Australia is an island nation, and that gives us an enormous advantage. We are separated by sea from many of the pests and diseases that damage farms, animals, plants and natural environments in...
- Wine and Other Legislation Amendment Bill 2026; Second Reading (18 speeches)
I rise again today to speak on the Wine and Other Legislation Amendment Bill 2026. Like a lot of Australians, I like a glass of wine at the end of a long day or sharing a bottle with friends over...
