House debates

Thursday, 1 November 2012

  • Bills (0 speeches)
  • Committees (0 speeches)
    • Economics Committee; Report (4 speeches)
      On behalf of the Standing Committee on Economics, I present the committee's report, incorporating dissenting reports, entitled Review of theReserve Bank of Australia Annual Report 2011, together...
    • Economics Committee; Report and Reference to Federation Chamber (1 speech)
      I move: That the order of the day be referred to the Federation Chamber for debate. Question agreed to.
    • Public Works Committee; Approval of Work (1 speech)
      I move: That, in accordance with the provisions of the Public Works Committee Act 1969, and by reason of the urgent nature of the works, it is expedient that the following work be carried out...
    • Publications Committee; Report (1 speech)
      I present the report from the Publications Committee sitting in conference with the Publications Committee of the Senate. Copies of the report have been placed on the table. Report—by...
  • Bills (0 speeches)
  • Business (0 speeches)
    • Days and Hours of Meeting (7 speeches)
      I present a chart showing the program of sittings for 2013. Copies of the program have been placed on the table. I ask leave of the House to move that the program be agreed to. Leave granted. I...
  • Personal Explanations (0 speeches)
    • (15 speeches)
      Mr Deputy Speaker, I seek leave to make a personal explanation.
  • Bills (0 speeches)
  • Business (0 speeches)
    • Orders of the Day (1 speech)
      I move: That the following order of the day, private Members' business, be returned to the House for further consideration: No. 15—Surf Lifesaving Question agreed to.
    • Rearrangement (1 speech)
      by leave—I move: That so much of the standing and sessional orders be suspended as would prevent the following items of private Member's business being called on, and considered...
  • Private Members' Business (0 speeches)
    • Education Funding (4 speeches)
      I move: That all words after “House” be omitted with a view to substituting the following words: “calls on all parliamentarians to endorse the principles contained in the final...
    • Surf Lifesaving (4 speeches)
      I move: That paragraph (5) be omitted. I am honoured that the member for Scullin has agreed to second the amendment.
    • Newstart Allowance (1 speech)
      The question is that the motion moved by the member for Melbourne be agreed to. A division having been called and the bells having been rung— As there are fewer than five members on the...
  • Business (0 speeches)
    • Rearrangement (1 speech)
      (): I move: That order of the day No. 4, government business, be postponed until a later hour this day. Question agreed to.
  • Bills (0 speeches)
  • Statements by Members (0 speeches)
    • Casey Electorate: Ben's Shed (1 speech)
      Last week I had the pleasure of visiting Ben's Shed in Yarra Junction. Ben's Shed, like many men's sheds across our community, operates on an informal basis throughout the week for a varied age...
    • Navy Week (1 speech)
      I note in the gallery the magnificent primary school from Bass, Larmenier Catholic Primary School, and welcome them to the House. I recently had the good fortune to attend the Navy day...
    • Banksia Securities (1 speech)
      I would like to offer my concern for a number of constituents in the Albury region who like many across the border in regional Victoria have been impacted by the collapse of Banksia Securities....
    • State of the Music Scene Forum (1 speech)
      This week a group of music enthusiasts gathered in Wollongong for the second annual State of the Music Scene Forum. It was organised by a friend and colleague of mine, Mr Rob Carr. Like many...
    • Godfrey, Mr Ron (1 speech)
      I rise today to register my condolences for Belmont City Councillor and close friend, Glenys Godfrey, on the death of her husband, Ron Godfrey. Well known for his cheeky sense of humour, Ron was...
    • International Brain Tumour Awareness Week (1 speech)
      I rise to note in this place that this week is International Brain Tumour Awareness Week. It runs from 28 October all the way through to 3 November. People who are interested in becoming more...
    • Stroke (1 speech)
      This week in the parliament I had the opportunity to be present at a function hosted by the National Stroke Foundation. The National Stroke Foundation's objectives were to raise awareness about...
    • Flinders Island (1 speech)
      On Friday, 19 October I had the pleasure of attending the Flinders Island Show. I met some scouts, and I know that the scouts have just been given a volunteer grant of $4,000 to assist them with...
    • Forde Electorate: Local Organisations (1 speech)
      I rise to give praise to a number of local organisations in our electorate. Firstly, I would like to recognise the efforts of the Logan City Council for winning both the Inclusive and Connected...
    • New Chinese Language and Culture School (2 speeches)
      On Sunday, 16 September I had the honour of attending the New Chinese Language and Culture School's 20th anniversary celebrations, which were held at the Preston Town Hall. The celebration was...
  • Statements on Indulgence (0 speeches)
  • Questions without Notice (0 speeches)
    • Carbon Pricing (2 speeches)
      My question is to the Prime Minister. I remind her of the Treasurer's statement in the House yesterday that: … one of the foundations of growth in the 21st century is putting a price on...
    • Australia's Future (2 speeches)
      My question is to the Prime Minister. Prime Minister, how is the government getting on with the job of setting out a clear plan for Australia's future?
    • Mining (9 speeches)
      My question is to the Prime Minister. I refer the Prime Minister to an editorial from the Wall Street Journal this week that states: For the latest tutorial on lousy tax policy, cast your eyes...
    • Economy (2 speeches)
      My question is to the Treasurer. Will the Treasurer update the House on developments in the global economy? What do these say about the continuing strength of our own economy?
    • Mining (8 speeches)
      My question is to the Treasurer. I refer the Treasurer to his own words yesterday in relation to the mining tax. He said: The fact is that unused royalties are not transferrable, nor are they...
    • Disability Services (2 speeches)
      My question is to the Prime Minister. To be eligible for Better Start, a child must have an eligible diagnosis. But this leaves children like five-year-old Lachlan from my electorate ineligible,...
    • Carbon Pricing (11 speeches)
      My question is to the Minister for Climate Change and Energy Efficiency. Will the minister update the House on the impact of carbon pricing across the economy, including on major sporting and...
    • Disability Services (2 speeches)
      My question is to the Minister for Families, Community Services and Indigenous Affairs and Minister for Disability Reform. Minister, will you update the House on the progress that the government...
    • Union Funds (35 speeches)
      My question is to the Prime Minister. I refer to her claim on 23 August that she had no involvement with the AWU workplace reform fund after she helped set it up in early 1992. I refer the Prime...
    • Education Funding (4 speeches)
      My question is to the Minister for School Education, Early Childhood and Youth. Will the minister outline what the government is doing to make every school a great school, particularly in my home...
    • Union Funds (19 speeches)
      My question is to the Prime Minister. I refer to her claim on 23 August that she had no involvement in the AWU fund after helping set it up in early 1992. I refer to this article by Hedley Thomas...
    • Wheat Exports (2 speeches)
      My question is to the Minister for Sustainability, Environment, Water, Population and Communities representing the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry. Would the minister update the...
    • Union Funds (2 speeches)
      My question is to the Prime Minister. I refer the Prime Minister to a statement on 20 September by former High Court Judge Michael Kirby which said: … if a person is aware of a serious...
    • Health (5 speeches)
      My question is to the Minister for Health. How is the federal government's investment helping states like Victoria to run their health systems? Are Australians getting the best possible return on...
  • Personal Explanations (0 speeches)
    • (10 speeches)
      Madam Speaker, I wish to make a personal explanation.
  • Privilege (0 speeches)
    • (10 speeches)
      I would also like to raise another breach of privilege relating to a contempt of the parliament. The member for Eden-Monaro, in a speech on Tuesday, 30 October 2012, told a story in the...
  • Personal Explanations (0 speeches)
    • (3 speeches)
      I seek leave to make a personal explanation.
  • Questions to the Speaker (0 speeches)
    • Questions in Writing (1 speech)
      Madam Speaker, in relation to standing order 105(b), replies to questions unanswered have been on the Notice Paper for more than 60 days. I kindly ask that you write to the Minister for Home...
  • Auditor-General's Reports (0 speeches)
    • Audit Report No. 3 of 2012-13 (1 speech)
      I present the Auditor-General's audit report No. 9 of 2012-13 entitled Performance audit—Delivery of bereavement and family support services through the Defence Community Organisation:...
  • Documents (0 speeches)
    • Presentation (1 speech)
      Documents are tabled in accordance with the list circulated to honourable members earlier today. Details of the documents will be recorded in the Votes and Proceedings. I move: That the House...
  • Committees (0 speeches)
    • Selection Committee; Report (1 speech)
      I present report No. 72 of the Selection Committee relating to the consideration of bills. The report read as follows— Report relating to the consideration of bills introduced 29 to 31...
    • Membership (2 speeches)
      I have received advice from the Chief Government Whip and the Chief Opposition Whip that they have nominated members to be members of certain committees.
  • Bills (0 speeches)
  • Matters of Public Importance (0 speeches)
    • Carbon Pricing (19 speeches)
      I have received a letter from the honourable member for Flinders proposing that a definite matter of public importance be submitted to the House for discussion, namely: The adverse effect of the...
  • Adjournment (0 speeches)
    • Petition: Sikh Community (1 speech)
      I rise this evening to acknowledge the members of the Australian Sikh community, who have made great efforts to be here to witness the presentation of this historic petition. I am pleased to...
    • Community Safety (1 speech)
      We all know that there is evil in the world, but when we confront it face to face we are still shocked, in the literal sense, and disoriented, finding it hard to concentrate on our usual...
    • Business Ethics (1 speech)
      I rise to speak on a matter that is of great importance to the people of regional Australia. Sadly it seems that the long-established way we conduct business in rural areas, where a handshake and...
    • Fowler Electorate: Homelessness (1 speech)
      Homelessness is an issue that touches many lives, and it is a sad fact that thousands of people are on our streets each night. There are too many people who do not have a place to call home....
    • Banksia Financial Group (1 speech)
      There is a very sad and shocking situation playing out mostly in the electorate of Murray but extending to other parts of northern Victoria, and that is the failure of the Banksia Financial...
    • Petition: Sikh Community (1 speech)
      I rise to associate myself with the words of the member for Leichhardt and also acknowledge that we have had a large number of Sikh people in the gallery this afternoon and visiting Parliament...
    • Riverina Electorate: Barnabas House (1 speech)
      I was privileged to open Barnabas House at Griffith on Saturday. Run by Baptist Community Services, the centre can cater for up to 48 people, offering short- to medium-term shelter, counselling...
  • Constituency Statements (0 speeches)
  • Ministerial Statements (0 speeches)
    • Afghanistan (6 speeches)
      It is a pleasure to expand upon the Prime Minister's comments and the further information that was provided by the Minister for Defence in relation to our deployment and our mission in...
  • Adjournment (0 speeches)
    • Chifley Electorate: No School No Play Initiative (1 speech)
      I have said before in this place that I represent a young electorate. About 15 per cent of people in the Blacktown local government area are under 30 and, in the electorate I am proud to...
    • Riverina Electorate: Citrus Growers (1 speech)
      Australia grows 500,000 tonnes of citrus. We import, depending on our season, between 500,000 and 600,000 in equivalent tonnes of concentrate orange juice. In an average year, with a favourable...
    • Disability Services (1 speech)
      I recently had the pleasure of attending the Celebrating Support Workers Conference and awards evening put on by National Disability Services Tasmania in Launceston in my electorate of Bass. We...
    • Wild Dogs (1 speech)
      I rise to condemn the Labor-Greens alliance in this place that pretends to care about the environment but does absolutely nothing to protect native wildlife and farming stock from the impact of...
    • Whitehorse Primary School (1 speech)
      On 12 October, I attended the official opening of Whitehorse Primary School—a new school in my electorate at Deakin, formed by the merger of the former Springview and Nunawading Primary...
    • Jewish Community (1 speech)
      I bring the attention of the House to the inestimably worthy, selfless works of the Jewish community leadership in my electorate and across the nation. Recently I held a security breakfast forum...
    • Environment (1 speech)
      Recently the Hawke review of the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act tabled its final report. Comments relating to the review were generally very supportive of the EPBC Act....
    • Fishing Industry (1 speech)
      Today I would like to speak about the Australian fishing industry. Gladstone was described as a fishing village long before a wide range of industries made their homes in the Port Curtis region....
    • Public Service (1 speech)
      In recent times Public Service bashing seems to have become commonplace among some politicians and media commentators. Public servants are considered easy targets and expendable by those who seem...
    • SwanCare Group (1 speech)
      Madam Deputy Speaker, SwanCare Group is a provider of accommodation for older Western Australians in my electorate of Swan. Before I go on to update you on some of the events happening in my...
    • Media Ownership (1 speech)
      I think this speech is jinxed! I was meant speak during the adjournment last night and it got cancelled, so I am not sure how far I will get. Australia's media operates under the very solid...
    • Superannuation Funds (1 speech)
      I rise to address the matter of the governance of superannuation funds. In the early 1990s, when the existing superannuation system was set up by the Keating government, the government took care...