House debates

Wednesday, 19 March 2014

  • Ministerial Statements (0 speeches)
    • Deregulation (19 speeches)
      by leave—This is the government's first report on red tape and what we are doing to reduce it. Next week, the parliament will have its first ever repeal day: to abolish regulation and...
  • Bills (0 speeches)
  • Documents (0 speeches)
    • Presentation (1 speech)
      For the information of honourable members, I present documents relating to the repeal of redundant instruments. The list of documents has been circulated to honourable members in the chamber.
  • Bills (0 speeches)
  • Committees (0 speeches)
  • Motions (0 speeches)
    • Amendments to Standing Orders 131(b) and 207(b) (1 speech)
      I move: That standing orders 131 paragraph (b) and 207 paragraph (b) be amended to read as follows: 131 Successive divisions (b) If there is a successive division, members who wish to vote in the...
    • Amendment to Standing Order 1 (1 speech)
      I move: That standing order 1 be amended to read as follows: 1 Maximum speaking times (addition to existing subjects, as follows) This amendment to standing order 1—maximum speaking times,...
    • Amendment to Standing Order 131(a) (1 speech)
      I move: That standing order 131(a) be amended to read as follows: 131 Successive divisions (a) If a division is called no more than three minutes following a division, the Speaker shall appoint...
  • Bills (0 speeches)
  • Statements by Members (0 speeches)
    • Richmond Electorate: Margaret Olley Art Centre (1 speech)
      I rise to speak about a great opening in my electorate on Saturday. We opened the Margaret Olley Art Centre at the Tweed Regional Gallery at Murwillumbah—a remarkable event with more than...
    • Capricornia Electorate: Catholic Diocese of Rockhampton (1 speech)
      I acknowledge the contribution of everyone helping drought-stricken communities in Queensland, where 80 per cent of the state are suffering. In particular, I acknowledge the Catholic Diocese of...
    • Scullin Electorate: Employment (1 speech)
      I rise to pay tribute to a brave and resourceful group of Australian workers. In June of last year a leaked confidential document outlined ANZ Australia's intention to offshore 590 jobs from its...
    • Lyons Electorate: Local Radio (1 speech)
      New Norfolk-based community radio station, TYGA-FM, has been on air less than five years but is already a national award winner. TYGA-FM made its first transmission in 2009 to the people of the...
    • Bendigo Electorate: Veteran Vintage and Classic Club Bendigo (1 speech)
      yesterday I had the pleasure of will come into Parliament House the Veteran Vintage and Classic Club Bendigo. They have a passion for vintage cars, motorbikes, trailers and caravans. Currently,...
    • Eden-Monaro Electorate: Country Shows (1 speech)
      I rise today to sing the praises of the various country shows held within my electorate of Eden-Monaro over the last four months. I think they have a great deal to offer families and the...
    • Campania Sports and Social Club (1 speech)
      Last month I attended the opening of the library and history room at the Campania Sports and Social Club in the electorate of Makin. The event was attended by hundreds of people, including many...
    • National Day of Action against Bullying and Violence (1 speech)
      Often in the House we wear lapel pins in recognition of a cause, campaign or service that is important to us and that helps our communities. Today I am wearing a pin that champions a cause I am...
    • SPC Ardmona (1 speech)
      I rise today to congratulate a constituent of mine whose social media campaign helped save a great Australian company that this government was prepared to abandon. On Thursday, 6 February, Linda...
    • Ocean Grove Primary School (1 speech)
      I rise to express how pleased I was to visit Ocean Grove Primary School recently at the invitation of Principal Darryl Diment to present the school's leadership badges for 2014. Special...
    • Indi Electorate: Benalla Art Gallery (1 speech)
      Next month, the Benalla Art Gallery will uncover the bare truth of art in lndi when the winner of the 2014 Benalla Nude art prize is revealed. This award is for artwork depicting a naked human...
    • Barker Electorate: Bedford-Heritage (1 speech)
      I was very pleased to present an Australian flag to the team at Bedford-Heritage in Mt Gambier last week. The flag was accepted by an employee Brenton Thomas on behalf of the not-for-profit...
    • Youth Connections (1 speech)
      Today I rise to speak about a wonderful program that many of my colleagues have spoken about over the last few weeks—that is, Youth Connections. Youth Connections helps disengaged young...
    • Northern Territory (1 speech)
      There is enormous potential for developing and expanding the Territory's horticultural industry and its capacity to be a major revenue source in the Top End. While there is a lot of talk about...
    • Tindale, Mr Terry (1 speech)
      I would like to pay tribute to Terry Tindale, a constituent and former southern New South Wales MUA branch secretary and legend of the Illawarra seafaring industry, who passed away last Monday...
    • Ipswich Karate Club (1 speech)
      Last week I received a very pleasant surprise visit from two of my young constituents—Jenae and Nathan Wilkinson from Mount Crosby. Jenae and Nathan are members of the Ipswich Karate Club...
    • Hellenic Military Delegation (1 speech)
      I have recently been approached by the Joint Committee for the Commemoration of the Anniversary of the Battle of Crete and the Greek Campaign in regard to federal government support for the visit...
    • Penrith City Festival (1 speech)
      This Saturday Penrith will come alive with between 15,000 and 20,000 people taking to the streets to enjoy the Penrith City Festival. The festival is firmly entrenched in the community calendar...
    • Re-Engineering Australia Foundation (1 speech)
      The Re-Engineering Australia Foundation is a fantastic, not-for-profit organisation which is unleashing in school students a passion and facility for engineering, science and maths. Today it was...
    • Greater Western Sydney Giants (2 speeches)
      The words of the great giant Sydney team song say: Well there's a big, big sound from the west of the town. It is the sound of the Mighty Giants. It was great on Saturday night to attend the game...
  • Statements on Indulgence (0 speeches)
    • Australian Water Holdings (1 speech)
      Earlier today, Senator Sinodinos advised me of his decision to step aside for the good of the government until the investigation into Australian Water Holdings is resolved, at least in as far as...
  • Condolences (0 speeches)
  • Questions without Notice (0 speeches)
    • Australian Water Holdings (2 speeches)
      My question is to the Prime Minister. When did the Prime Minister become aware of the issues that have caused Senator Sinodinos to stand aside today?
    • Deregulation (2 speeches)
      My question is to the Prime Minister. I remind the Prime Minister that businesses like Kerr's Hire in Geelong are currently burdened with registering short-term hire leases, a process that is...
    • Australian Water Holdings (2 speeches)
      My question is to the Prime Minister. Does the Prime Minister consider that the former Assistant Treasurer, Senator Sinodinos, has provided a full and accurate account of his dealings as director...
    • Infrastructure (12 speeches)
      My question is to the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Infrastructure and Regional Development. How is the government building the infrastructure Western Australia needs to ensure the...
  • Distinguished Visitors (0 speeches)
    • (1 speech)
      I advise the chamber that we have with us today the former federal member for Cunningham and former occupier of this chair, a distinguished Speaker of the House. We make him most welcome. We also...
  • Questions without Notice (0 speeches)
    • Australian Water Holdings (2 speeches)
      My question is to the Prime Minister. I acknowledge the Prime Minister's answer to my previous question, that the former Assistant Treasurer will cooperate with ICAC, but does the Prime Minister...
    • Industrial Hemp (2 speeches, 1 comment)
      My question is to the Prime Minister. Prime Minister, industrial hemp cannot be smoked and would be a lucrative crop for many Tasmanian farmers. It produces fabric, paper, construction material...
    • Deregulation (6 speeches)
      My question is to the Treasurer. Will the Treasurer outline the importance of freeing business and reducing regulation, and how will red tape repeal day help the constituents of Bennelong?
    • Australian Water Holdings (2 speeches)
      My question is to the Prime Minister. When did the Prime Minister first discuss with Senator Sinodinos his involvement with Australian Water Holdings, and did the Prime Minister conduct those...
    • Agriculture (7 speeches)
      My question is to the Minister for Agriculture, and I remind the minister that Hinkler cane farmers have told me that, due to high energy prices, they are on the brink of collapse. What is the...
  • Distinguished Visitors (0 speeches)
    • (1 speech)
      Before I call the honourable Leader of the Opposition, I would like to say that we have with us today the Mayor of the City of Greater Geelong, Councillor Darryn Lyons, the Mayor of the Golden...
  • Questions without Notice (0 speeches)
    • Assistant Treasurer (2 speeches)
      My question is to the Prime Minister. I refer to the Prime Minister's desire to uphold ministerial standards. Was the decision for Senator Sinodinos to stand aside made by Senator Sinodinos, the...
    • Deregulation (2 speeches)
      My question is to the Minister for Education. How will universities benefit from the red tape repeal day, which will reduce the burden of regulation and red tape in the higher education system?
    • Assistant Treasurer (5 speeches)
      My question is to the Prime Minister. Yesterday, the Prime Minister said that he had full confidence in Assistant Treasurer Sinodinos. Today, Senator Sinodinos is no longer the Assistant...
    • Deregulation (4 speeches)
      My question is to the Minister for Communications. How is the government assisting both consumers and the telecommunications and media sectors by reducing regulation through red tape repeal day?
    • Australian Water Holdings (19 speeches)
      My question is to the Prime Minister, in light of the Prime Minister's immediate answer to a previous question—that former Assistant Treasurer Senator Sinodinos 'did the right thing', as...
    • Child Care (9 speeches)
      My question is to the Assistant Minister for Education. I refer the minister to the report in the Australian on 3 March 2014 indicating that hundreds of childcare centres across the nation are...
    • Australian Water Holdings (14 speeches)
      My question is to the Prime Minister. Has the Prime Minister ever discussed Australian Water Holdings with Senator Sinodinos, and if so, when?
    • Deregulation (2 speeches)
      My question is to the Minister for Small Business. I remind the minister that there are around 10,000 small businesses in my electorate of Page that are struggling under the burden of red and...
    • Australian Water Holdings (2 speeches)
      My question is to the Prime Minister. Has the Prime Minister ever discussed Australian Water Holdings with Senator Sinodinos, and, if so, when? Or, to put it plainly, what does the Prime Minister...
    • Ukraine (2 speeches)
      My question is to the Minister for Foreign Affairs. The situation in Ukraine is of deep concern in my electorate of the La Trobe. Will the minister update the House on Australia's response to...
  • Distinguished Visitors (0 speeches)
    • (1 speech)
      I would like to advise that we have some members from state parliaments who are with us today. I make them welcome. We also have the Mayor of the Northern Grampians Shire. You are most welcome....
  • Statements on Indulgence (0 speeches)
    • Ukraine (1 speech)
      I wish to associate myself with the remarks of the Minister for Foreign Affairs. The opposition supports the government in the implementation of targeted financial sanctions and travel bans...
  • Questions without Notice (0 speeches)
    • Australian Water Holdings (2 speeches)
      My question is to the Prime Minister. I refer to his previous answers in today's question time about ministerial standards. Why has the Prime Minister repeatedly refused now in this question time...
    • Asylum Seekers (4 speeches)
      My question is to the Minister for Immigration and Border Protection. Will the minister update the House on implementation of the full range of the government's border protection policies and any...
    • Assistant Treasurer (4 speeches)
      My question is to the Prime Minister. I refer to the Prime Minister's previous answers today. The New South Wales ICAC confirmed it was investigating Australian Water Holdings in early February....
    • Superclinics (29 speeches)
      My question is to the Minister for Health. I refer the minister to the Cockburn GP superclinic in Western Australia that was promised three years ago, is not open and is yet to see a single...
    • Assistant Treasurer (2 speeches)
      My question is to the Prime Minister. Earlier in question time, the Prime Minister said that he did not believe that Senator Sinodinos has done anything wrong. So why did he agree with Senator...
    • Parkes Electorate: Public Housing (15 speeches)
      My question is to the Minister for Social Services. I refer the minister to reports in the Moree Championof 4 March 2014 that at least 20 units of public housing are sinking into the ground. What...
    • Assistant Treasurer (2 speeches)
      My question is to the Prime Minister. Can the Prime Minister advise the House and the people listening to parliament, the differences between standing aside and resigning in terms of...
    • Syria (3 speeches)
      I have a question for the foreign minister. I ask the minister will she update the House in relation to developments in Syria and also concerns expressed by my constituents of the possibilities...
  • Personal Explanations (0 speeches)
    • (56 speeches)
      Madam Speaker, I rise to inform the House that I have been defamed and wrongly accused—
  • Documents (0 speeches)
    • Presentation (8 speeches)
      Documents are tabled in accordance with the list circulated to honourable members earlier today. Full details of the documents— Ms Plibersek interjecting —
  • Matters of Public Importance (0 speeches)
    • Commission of Audit Report (34 speeches)
      I have received a letter from the honourable the member for Brand proposing that a definite matter of public importance be submitted to the HHHHouse for discussion, namely: The urgent need for...
  • Bills (0 speeches)
  • Adjournment (0 speeches)
    • Paid Parental Leave (1 speech)
      Paid parental leave is an important benefit, both private and public. It shows that it is normal and desirable to take time away from the workforce when you have kids. It helps families bond. It...
    • Education (1 speech)
      I would like to take this opportunity to thank the Hon. Christopher Pyne, Minister for Education, for taking the time to visit Albany last week. I was proud to show him one of our flagship...
    • New South Wales Government, Sydney Electorate: Public Housing (3 speeches)
      I rise tonight on a very serious issue. Today, the O'Farrell government dropped a bomb on the inner city of Sydney. They announced with no consultation and no warning that they will sell almost...
    • Human Rights of Women and Children (1 speech)
      The Human Rights Sub-committee of the Joint Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade is set to begin an inquiry into the human rights of women and children. As the chair of the...
    • Blair Electorate: St Edmund's College (1 speech)
      There are some wonderful schools in my electorate of Blair, which covers Ipswich and the Somerset region. But tonight I would like to tell you about just one of them: St Edmund's Christian...
    • Parer, Hon. Warwick Raymond, AM (2 speeches)
      Warwick Raymond Parer AO was born on 6 April 1936 and passed away on 14 March 2014. He was an Australian politician, a Liberal member of the Australian Senate representing the state of...
  • Constituency Statements (0 speeches)
    • Griffith By-election (1 speech)
      I recently gave my first speech to the parliament. It was not possible in that speech for me to thank everyone who supported me in the by-election campaign and nor will it be possible to do in...
    • McMillan Electorate: Corner Inlet Justice Group (1 speech)
      It is not often we are tested as federal members in our own electorates, but I certainly was when I went to the Corner Inlet social justice group. When I arrived, I saw a whole lot of cars at the...
    • Scullin Electorate: Community Catch-Up (1 speech)
      I rise following the member for McMillan and hopefully in some way responding to the challenges that he left us all with. Last week I held two community catch-ups in the communities of Wollert...
    • Hughes Electorate: Education (1 speech)
      Over the last several days I have received several emails from constituents on the issue of education. I would like to congratulate those people who wrote to me, because I share their passion for...
    • Qantas (1 speech)
      My constituents are concerned about the sale of Qantas. The 'Flying Kangaroo' represents Australia around the world. Some people in other countries may not know where Australia is but they know...
    • Cowan Electorate: St Elizabeth's Catholic Primary School (1 speech)
      Last week I met with Mrs Carmel O'Shaughnessy, the Principal of St Elizabeth's Catholic Primary School in Hocking. I would like to take this opportunity to speak about this new school which is...
    • Adelaide Electorate: Nowruz (1 speech)
      I rise today to inform the House of the Nowruz festival celebrations which will take place this week—the largest celebrations taking place in my home town of Adelaide. Nowruz means 'new...
    • Morcombe Family (1 speech)
      I rise today to pay tribute to the Morcombe family. Just under a week ago, the murderer of their son Daniel Morcombe was committed in trial by his peers, found guilty and convicted of heinous...
    • National Partnership Agreement on Homelessness (1 speech)
      I rise today to speak about a very important issue in my local community, and that is the Abbott government's failure to recommit funding to the National Partnership Agreement on Homelessness,...
    • Mallee Electorate: Woodbine (2 speeches)
      I rise to address the Australian Parliament to talk about a visit that I made in my electorate last Thursday. One of the great things about being a regional member, as you would know, Mr Deputy...
  • Bills (0 speeches)
  • Condolences (0 speeches)
    • Parer, Hon. Warwick Raymond, AM (9 speeches)
      I rise to speak on this condolence motion with great heart and some enthusiasm to say of Warwick Parer that, as the Minister for Resources and Energy of our country, the job he did in a short...