House debates

Thursday, 7 December 2017

  • Mallos, Ms Tessa, Murphy, Ms Barbara, Dean, Mr Walter James 'Wally', Johnson, Mr John Richard 'Johno', KCSG, Hutchins, Mr Stephen Patrick 'Steve', Bellear, Mr Solomon David 'Sol', AM (1 speech)
    Before the House rises for the year, I want to acknowledge the passing of some very important members of our community in Sydney and New South Wales. This year we said farewell to two great local...
  • Millar, Mr Clarrie (1 speech)
    I pay tribute to former member for Wide Bay Clarrie Millar, who served the Australian parliament between 1974 and 1990 and passed away on 28 November at the age of 92. Mr Millar served as Deputy...
  • Petition: Bulimba Barracks, Queensland (1 speech)
    I present two petitions, one with 948 signatures and one with 21 signatures, regarding the sale of surplus Defence land, formerly the Bulimba Barracks, as endorsed by the Petitions Committee....
  • Flynn Electorate (1 speech)
    As 2017 draws to a close, I wish to thank the hardworking, upstanding and reliable people of Flynn and wish them a wonderful Christmas with their loved ones, and a safe and prosperous new year....
  • Petitions: Climate Change (1 speech)
    I seek leave to table a petition that has been endorsed by the Petitions Committee. Leave granted. The petition read as follows— This petition of concerned people of the electorate of...
  • Gilmore Electorate: Defence Equipment (1 speech)
    Last Friday I was lucky enough to be the substitute for the Minister for Defence, the Hon. Marise Payne, at a very significant event at HMAS Albatross. Two of our very reliable helicopters,...
  • Immigration Detention (1 speech)
    Like many millions of Australians, I have watched the deteriorating situations on Manus and Nauru with shock. I rise to make it absolutely clear that the government's actions do not represent my...
  • National Agriculture Day (1 speech)
    The 21st of November was our nation's inaugural National Agriculture Day. Shockingly, a nationwide poll commissioned by the National Farmers' Federation found 83 per cent of Australians would...
  • Australia HOPE International (1 speech)
    Today I'm wearing a set of rainbow coloured beads, and it's an apt day for it. This necklace is actually because of the bead ladies of the refugee camp called Nakivale in Uganda. They are made of...
  • Waggrakine Volunteer Bushfire Brigade (1 speech)
    On 29 November I had the pleasure of visiting the Waggrakine Volunteer Bushfire Brigade cadet unit on their training night and watching them in action. I was proud to sponsor the Waggrakine cadet...
  • Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse (1 speech)
    On 15 December, when the final report of the Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse is published, it will represent for many a victory over the evil monsters who...
  • Grey Electorate: Whyalla (1 speech)
    As Christmas nears, it gives me great joy to be delivering good tidings to Whyalla. In fact, we have announced a 14,000-tonne rail order for the Inland Rail, for Parkes to...
  • Kingsford Smith Electorate: Randwick Botany Little Athletics Club (1 speech)
    I wish to congratulate the Randwick Botany Little Athletics Club, which celebrated its 50th anniversary this season. As it was the first Little Athletics club formed in Australia, the Randwick...
  • Fadden Electorate: Northern Gold Coast Volunteer Awards (1 speech)
    I'm delighted to inform the House that recently I was honoured to recognise 72 outstanding volunteers in the Gold Coast as part of the annual Northern Gold Coast Volunteer Awards. It was a...
  • Turnbull Government (1 speech)
    I want to take this opportunity today to recount some of the most unbelievable things that our taxpayer dollars are funding under this government. If, like me, you are a keen viewer of sport you...
  • Forde Electorate: Little Scientists House (1 speech)
    Today I'd like to pass on my sincere congratulations to Bethania Early Education Centre in my electorate of Forde for recently being awarded an accreditation as a Little Scientist House. Little...
  • Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse (1 speech)
    On 15 December, the Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse will deliver its final report. The royal commission, established by the former Gillard Labor government in...
  • North Sydney Electorate: Schools (1 speech)
    This time of year is a special one for our schools as they celebrate their achievements and also those of their school students. One of the sad parts about being here this week is that so many of...
  • Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse (1 speech)
    For over four years, the Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse has borne witness to harrowing tales of abuse, the betrayal of sacred trust, and the violation of the...
  • Dastyari, Senator Sam (7 speeches)
    I have spent much of my working life in greater China, and so, when I first heard about Senator Dastyari's treasonous behaviour, my first thought was: how would China—