House debates

Thursday, 20 October 2016

  • Watson Electorate: Diwali (1 speech)
    During the break between sitting weeks, many Australians will be celebrating Deepavali. Even though I am a little early, I would like to extend every best wish to those celebrating Deepavali....
  • Indigenous Suicide Prevention (1 speech)
    I rise today to speak on an insidious issue that has affected many throughout my community, and right around Australia. I am talking about the heartbreaking number of Indigenous Australians who...
  • National Week of Deaf People (2 speeches)
    This Saturday, I will be joining the Deaf Festival, with the deaf community, on the banks of the Parramatta River, where we will celebrate. The festival is part of the National Week of Deaf...
  • La Trobe Electorate: Higher Education (1 speech)
    The announcement by Monash University, in my electorate of La Trobe, that they were withdrawing their courses from the Berwick campus came as quite a shock to my electorate. But today I am happy...
  • Macquarie Electorate: Bushfires (1 speech)
    Three years ago this week, on Thursday, 17 October, hundreds of homes in the Blue Mountains were destroyed by two fires. Mine was among them, and this week has reinforced to me that anniversaries...
  • Hockey, Mr Richard (1 speech)
    I rise to pay tribute in this parliament to Richard Hockey, who passed away last weekend and was a much loved member of my community and the Liberal Party in North Sydney. For many of us in this...
  • Chifley Electorate: Eastern Creek Public School (1 speech)
    I want to associate my comments with those of the member for North Sydney and extend my condolences to Joe and his family. I rise to congratulate Eastern Creek Public School on a remarkable...
  • Mental Health (1 speech)
    Last week was Mental Health Week. Despite the fact that one in five Australians experience mental illness every year and nearly half will experience mental illness in their lifetime, it is still...
  • Bendigo Electorate: Chiko Roll (1 speech)
    Last month, I had the chance to meet the McEncroe family, the children of three brothers—Frank, Leo and Gerard. You may remember that Frank McEncroe is the inventor of the Chiko...
  • Meares, Ms Anna (1 speech)
    I rise to acknowledge Australia's greatest female track cyclist, Anna Meares, who announced her retirement from the sport recently. Anna has won the 500 metre world time trial championship on...
  • National Disability Insurance Scheme (1 speech)
    The National Disability Insurance Scheme is the most significant reform to national health and welfare services since Medicare. As you would expect, the NDIS is a Labor initiative—one...
  • Australian Building and Construction Commission (1 speech)
    Like the people of Chisholm, I have always been a passionate supporter of the interests of ordinary working people whilst believing there is a place for unions to properly represent members'...
  • Braddon Electorate: Mersey Community Hospital (1 speech)
    I rise today to draw the House's attention to the need for a long-term funding commitment to the Mersey Community Hospital in north-west Tasmania. My community is sick and tired of the hospital...
  • New South Wales Aboriginal Rugby League Knockout (1 speech)
    Rugby League holds a special place in the hearts and minds of people on the Central Coast, with many NRL teams having links to local clubs, as well as, of course, the ongoing push to have our own...
  • National Disability Insurance Scheme (1 speech)
    I am still disappointed and somewhat in shock at the press reports yesterday that the Minister for Social Services is pushing to purge the board of the National Disability Insurance Scheme by...
  • Entertainment Visas (1 speech)
    I rise to condemn the Turnbull government's plans to introduce a 'fun tax', with which they will be charging more for entertainment visas for international acts to tour Australia. The increase in...
  • Day for Daniel (1 speech)
    Next Friday 28 October is Day for Daniel. On 7 December 2003, 13-year-old Daniel Morcombe set out from his home at Palmwoods on the Sunshine Coast to catch a bus to go Christmas shopping for his...
  • Wangaratta Jazz and Blues Festival (1 speech)
    Colleagues, today I sing the praises of the Wangaratta Jazz and Blues Festival, which is on the last weekend of October. The festival is an international hit with the best of jazz and blues and...
  • Freedom of Speech (3 speeches)
    Goldstein residents regularly contact me about the importance of free speech. My commitment is deep and unflinching.
  • Solomon Electorate: Indigenous Employment, Rogan, Mr Colin (2 speeches)
    A few weeks ago, I attended the launch of a new Indigenous business, Irranda Holdings Pty Ltd, which is owned by a remarkable man, Colin Rogan Jr. Colin is a former full-time member of the ADF...