House debates

Tuesday, 29 May 2007

  • Indigenous Education (Targeted Assistance) Amendment (2007 Budget Measures) Bill 2007 (0 speeches)
    • Second Reading (8 speeches)
      Debate resumed from 23 May, on motion by Ms Julie Bishop: That this bill be now read a second time.
  • Ministerial Arrangements (0 speeches)
    • (1 speech)
      I inform the House that the Minister for Veterans’ Affairs will be absent from question time. He is in Sydney addressing the state congress of the New South Wales RSL and, on his behalf...
  • Questions without Notice (0 speeches)
    • Fuel Prices (2 speeches)
      My question is to the Prime Minister. I refer to reports today from Fueltrac that motorists are paying at least 2c a litre more than they should for every litre of petrol sold in Queensland. Why...
    • Vocational and Further Education (2 speeches)
      My question is addressed to the Prime Minister. Would the Prime Minister outline to the House how the government’s Skills for the Future policy is helping unskilled Australians? How does...
  • Distinguished Visitors (0 speeches)
    • (2 speeches)
      I inform the House that we have present in the gallery this afternoon members of the Select Committee on Foreign Affairs Defence and Trade from the New Zealand parliament. On behalf of the House...
  • Questions without Notice (0 speeches)
    • Fuel Prices (2 speeches)
      My question is again to the Prime Minister, and I refer to his answer to my previous question. I refer again to the report that I referred to in the last question Fuel industry consultants,...
    • Taxation (2 speeches)
      My question is to the Treasurer. Treasurer, how have the government’s tax and family payment reforms assisted low-income earners? Treasurer, are you aware of any other policies?
    • Drought (2 speeches)
      My question is to the Prime Minister. Do existing exceptional circumstances drought relief arrangements provide sufficient support for farm businesses and families, many of whom are now enduring...
    • Employment (2 speeches)
      My question is also addressed to the Prime Minister. Is the Prime Minister aware of any recent business surveys on employment opportunities? Does the survey indicate that recent workplace changes...
    • Workplace Relations (5 speeches)
      My question is to the Prime Minister. I refer to the Treasurer’s comments on 6 May when he was asked if he could guarantee that a Costello government would not repeal or water down the...
    • Transport Infrastructure (4 speeches)
      My question is addressed to the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Transport and Regional Services. Would the Deputy Prime Minister inform the House how the coalition government’s...
    • Telecommunications (2 speeches)
      My question is to the Prime Minister and relates to the proposed changeover from the CDMA mobile network to the Next G network. Given the problems being experienced by regional users of the Next...
    • Workplace Relations (5 speeches)
      My question is addressed to the Minister for Employment and Workplace Relations. Would the minister inform the House what new protections are available to working Australians? Are there any...
    • Advertising Campaigns (46 speeches)
      My question is to the Prime Minister. Will the Prime Minister now confirm that the theme of his non-existent climate change advertising campaign is currently ‘climate clever’? Will...
    • Workplace Relations (2 speeches)
      My question is addressed to the Minister for Employment and Workplace Relations. How do employees in my electorate of Moreton benefit from a modern and flexible workplace relations system? Are...
    • Advertising Campaigns (17 speeches)
      My question is again to the Prime Minister and I refer to his previous answer when he said that no material has yet been approved for distribution for his so far non-existent taxpayer funded...
    • Health: Cancer Treatment Services (2 speeches)
      My question is addressed to the Minister for Health and Ageing. Would the minister update the House on progress with radiation oncology initiatives that deliver better cancer treatment services...
    • Advertising Campaigns (10 speeches)
      My question, again, is to the Prime Minister. I refer to the Prime Minister’s previous answer on his taxpayer funded advertising campaign on climate change, when he said, ‘Until...
    • World Trade: Doha Round (2 speeches)
      My question is addressed to the Minister for Trade. Would the minister advise the House what measures Australian farmers are taking to assist in the current World Trade Organisation negotiations?...
    • Advertising Campaigns (7 speeches)
      My question again is to the Prime Minister and refers to his previous answer. Prime Minister, how much taxpayers’ money has already been spent on the TV advertising campaign on climate...
    • Indigenous Education (11 speeches)
      My question is addressed to the Minister for Education, Science and Training. What is the government doing to increase education and training opportunities for Indigenous Australians in rural and...
    • Advertising Campaigns (2 speeches)
      My question again is to the Prime Minister. Why is it that on the fourth day of questioning in parliament on the question of this taxpayer funded television advertising campaign, the Prime...
  • Prime Minister (0 speeches)
    • Censure Motion (69 speeches)
      by leave—I move: That this House censures the Prime Minister for his refusal to tell the House and the Australian people how much taxpayers’ money has been spent on the ‘climate...
  • Personal Explanations (0 speeches)
    • (15 speeches)
      Mr Speaker, I wish to make a personal explanation.
  • Questions to the Speaker (0 speeches)
    • Question Time (12 speeches)
      Mr Speaker, today in question time you warned me for moving a point of order and then proceeded to exclude me, under the provisions of standing orders, for one hour from the House. I draw your...
    • Standing Order 104 (2 speeches)
      Mr Speaker, I have a question for you. I want to ask you about your interpretation of standing order 104 today and to point out that standing order 104 requires that an answer be relevant to the...
    • Question Time (4 speeches)
      Mr Speaker, as you would be aware, during question time a number of members were warned and the sin-bin rule was effected. Can I ask you why a member of the coalition is allowed to interject...
  • Matters of Public Importance (0 speeches)
    • Climate Change (2 speeches)
      I have received a letter from the honourable member for Kingsford Smith proposing that a definite matter of public importance be submitted to the House for discussion, namely: The need for the...
  • Broadcasting Legislation Amendment (Digital Radio) Bill 2007; Radio Licence Fees Amendment Bill 2007; Education Services for Overseas Students Legislation Amendment Bill 2007; Primary Industries and Energy Research and Development Amendment Bill 2007; Higher Education Legislation Amendment (2007 Measures No. 1) Bill 2007; Migration Amendment (Maritime Crew) Bill 2007 (0 speeches)
    • Assent (0 speeches)
      Message from the Governor-General reported informing the House of assent to the bills.
  • Indigenous Education (Targeted Assistance) Amendment (2007 Budget Measures) Bill 2007 (0 speeches)
    • Second Reading (5 speeches)
      Debate resumed.
    • Third Reading (1 speech)
      by leave—I move: That this bill be now read a third time. Question agreed to. Bill read a third time.
  • Schools Assistance (Learning Together — Achievement Through Choice and Opportunity) Amendment (2007 Budget Measures) Bill 2007 (0 speeches)
    • Second Reading (9 speeches)
      Debate resumed from 23 May, on motion by Ms Julie Bishop: That this bill be now read a second time.
    • Third Reading (1 speech)
      by leave—I move: That this bill be now read a third time. Question agreed to. Bill read a third time.
  • Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry Legislation Amendment (2007 Measures No. 1) Bill 2007 (0 speeches)
    • Second Reading (11 speeches)
      Debate resumed from 23 May, on motion by Ms Ley: That this bill be now read a second time.
    • Third Reading (1 speech)
      by leave—I move: That this bill be now read a third time. Question agreed to. Bill read a third time.
  • Adjournment (0 speeches)
    • (1 speech)
      I move: That the House do now adjourn.
    • Budget 2007-08 (1 speech)
      In reading through an overview of the government’s budget, I note with concern that the infamous $500 one-off seniors bonus payment does not apply to recipients of disability pensions. More...
    • Bells Line Expressway (1 speech)
      Yesterday during members’ 90-second statements I made a brief reference to the announcement by the Prime Minister last Friday in Bathurst that the federal government will fund $10 million...
    • Volunteer Small Equipment Grants Program (3 speeches)
      In October 2005 I wrote to the Auditor-General asking him to investigate the administration of the Volunteer Small Equipment Grants program, based on my concerns about apparent inequities in the...
    • Great Ocean Road International Marathon (1 speech)
      I am delighted to participate in the adjournment debate and recognise the Great Ocean Road marathon that was held on Sunday, 20 May. As you would be aware, Mr Speaker, the Great Ocean Road...
    • Medicare Safety Net (4 speeches)
      We often talk about safety nets in this chamber. Earlier in the adjournment debate in talking about disability pensioners getting back into work, the honourable member for Banks quite rightly...
    • Internet Filtering (1 speech)
      I thank the government whip for the opportunity to speak on this adjournment tonight. In rising to speak somewhat unexpectedly this evening, I want to make reference to a serious issue that was...
    • Medicare Safety Net (2 speeches)
      In the remaining time I would like to respond briefly to the speech by the member for Scullin about the Medicare safety net. The Medicare safety net has significantly reduced medical expenses for...
  • Statements by Members (0 speeches)
    • Heidelberg Primary School (1 speech)
      It gives me great pleasure today to congratulate Heidelberg primary school, a fantastic primary school in my electorate which I visited at the start of this school year. I was so impressed with...
    • Wakefield Electorate: Roads (1 speech)
      I rise to draw the attention of the chamber to the community of the mid-north, Adelaide Plains, Clare and Gilbert Valley, and the people who use the Main North Road, which runs between Gawler and...
    • Mr Gordon Fetterplace (1 speech)
      Today I would like to draw the attention of the Committee to the retirement from public life of a very prominent Campbelltown personality. Gordon Fetterplace, the former Mayor of Campbelltown,...
    • Condolences: Mr Trevor Wortley (1 speech)
      I wish to place on record in the House the very recent passing of a dear and loyal friend, Trevor Wortley, who died on 11 May. He is survived by his wife, Cherie, and sons James and Michael and...
    • Global Initiative on Forests and Climate (3 speeches)
      Just before the budget was released, the Prime Minister announced that Australia would fund the Global Initiative on Forests and Climate. The fund would be used to assist developing countries...
    • Electorate of Moreton: Traffic (3 speeches)
      On a number of occasions I have raised the need for a proper truck and traffic management plan in and around the Sunnybank district in the electorate of Moreton. The failure of the state...
    • Chaffey Dam (1 speech)
      Most members would be aware of the problem that Chaffey Dam in my electorate is confronted with. Chaffey Dam is a 62 gigalitre dam and has approval to increase its size by 40 gigalitres, which...
    • Mornington Peninsula: Policing (1 speech)
      I rise to speak about policing on the Mornington Peninsula along three lines: firstly, in relation to the work of local police; secondly, in relation to a threat which may undermine their...
    • National Multidisability Lawn Bowls Championships (3 speeches)
      I rise this afternoon to bring to the attention of the Committee a fantastic event which was recently held in my electorate of Adelaide—that being the 2007 Australian multidisability lawn...
    • Crime (2 speeches)
      I rise to talk about the very important issue of crime. Like many local residents, I have had enough of local crime, hoons, vandals and graffiti. Tackling this problem is extremely important to...
  • Appropriation Bill (No. 1) 2007-2008; Appropriation Bill (No. 2) 2007-2008; Appropriation (Parliamentary Departments) Bill (No. 1) 2007-2008; Appropriation Bill (No. 5) 2006-2007; Appropriation Bill (No. 6) 2006-2007 (0 speeches)
    • Second Reading (61 speeches)
      Debate resumed from 28 May, on motion by Mr Costello: That this bill be now read a second time. upon which Mr Tanner moved by way of amendment: That all words after “That” be omitted...