Stuart Robert (Fadden, Liberal Party, Shadow Minister for Defence Science, Technology and Personnel) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Mr Speaker, I request that you receive, in a spirit of great generosity, a white balloon on behalf of the parliament. As you would be aware,7 September is White Balloon Day as part of Child Protection Week. Bravehearts started White Balloon Day 15 years ago, in 1997. This year marks the 15th anniversary of White Balloon Day. Following the first White Balloon Day, there was a 514 per cent increase in disclosures of child sexual assaults. I hope that you will accept the balloon as part of the nation's realising our responsibility for the protection of children and to commemorate White Balloon Day.

Harry Jenkins (Speaker) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I would have been happy to receive the balloon, but it has gone 8 pm and the debate is interrupted. Nevertheless, we all join with the member for Fadden in wishing White Balloon Day every success in its work on behalf of a worthy cause.

House adjourned at 20:01

Peter Slipper (Fisher, Liberal Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Order! There being no quorum present, the sitting of the Main Committee will be suspended until a quorum is present.

Proceedings suspended from 9.31 to 10.01