House debates

Thursday, 27 March 2014

  • Bills (0 speeches)
  • Committees (0 speeches)
    • Public Works Committee; Approval of Work (1 speech)
      I move: That, in accordance with the provisions of the Public Works Committee Act 1969, it is expedient to carry out the following proposed work which was referred to the Parliamentary Standing...
  • Register of Members' Interests (0 speeches)
    • (1 speech)
      As required by resolutions of the House I present copies of notifications of alterations of interests and statements of registrable interests received during the period 11 December 2013 to 26...
  • Committees (0 speeches)
    • Standing Committee on Tax and Revenue; Report (3 speeches)
      On behalf of the Standing Committee on Tax and Revenue, I present the committee's report entitled Inquiry into the 2013 annual report of the Australian Taxation Office first report together with...
    • Electoral Matters Committee; Reporting Date (1 speech)
      I seek leave of the House to make a short statement as chair of the Joint Standing Committee on Electoral Matters on the committee's inquiry into the 2013 federal election and to present a copy...
  • Business (0 speeches)
    • Consideration of Legislation (4 speeches)
      I move the motion standing in my name on the Notice Paper: That, in respect of the proceedings on the Clean Energy Finance Corporation (Abolition) Bill 2013 [No. 2], so much of the standing and...
    • Rearrangement (11 speeches)
      I seek leave to move a motion. Leave not granted. I move: That so much of the standing and sessional orders be suspended as would prevent private Members’ business notice No. 36 relating to...
  • Ministerial Statements (0 speeches)
  • Bills (0 speeches)
  • Statements by Members (0 speeches)
    • Taxation, Dunsdon Foundation (1 speech)
      Recently, I met with trustees of the Dunsdon Foundation: Col Roach, John Quinlan and Bruce Baylis, who are constituents in my electorate. The Dunsdon Foundation is a trust which was set up after...
    • Capricornia Electorate: Floods (1 speech)
      Last night, people on Queensland's Capricorn Coast and Yeppoon were hit by severe flash floods. Photos tell of a frightening situation for motorists and for shops and properties along the Yeppoon...
    • Human Rights: Somphone, Mr Sombath (1 speech)
      Today, I would like to raise the disappearance in Laos of Mr Sombath Somphone, a leading humanitarian and community development worker. As evidenced by CCTV footage on 15 December 2012, Mr...
    • Petition: Lord's Prayer (1 speech)
      I rise in relation to the issue of the Lord's Prayer being used at the opening ceremony of the parliament each day. There were some comments by some members of this place and in the broader...
    • Homelessness Australia (1 speech)
      I rise today to call on the government to put an end to the cruel uncertainty that faces so many of our community services because of this government's refusal to commit to funding of their...
    • Green Army (1 speech)
      I rise to inform the House that I am advocating for a Green Army project to restore the long-term health of Kogarah Bay and the Cooks River within my electorate as part of ongoing project...
    • Qantas (1 speech)
      Last week I had the privilege of meeting a few Qantas workers here in Parliament House. Some of these Qantas workers are not the highest paid, but they are some of the most skilled workers in our...
    • O'Connor Electorate: Esperance Port (1 speech)
      Next Wednesday, 2 April, I will be representing the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Infrastructure and Regional Development, the Hon. Warren Truss, in officially opening the Esperance Port...
    • Greek Independence Day (1 speech)
      On Sunday, I had the pleasure of attending the Greek Independence Day commemoration at the Cenotaph in Sydney to pay tribute to those who lost their lives in the Greek War of Independence. I was...
    • Forde Electorate: Heritage Banks First People Award, Forde Electorate: Merino Country (1 speech)
      I would like to take this opportunity to acknowledge one of my wonderful constituents, Helene Dillon, as the winner of the Heritage Bank's People First Award in their annual volunteer of the year...
    • Norman, Mr Glenn (1 speech)
      My local community was devastated to hear last Saturday that Glenn Norman, a senior firefighter at the Woodridge fire station in my electorate, was tragically taken in an aviation accident...
    • Petition: Energy Drinks (1 speech)
      I rise to present a petition on behalf of the Country Women's Association of New South Wales. The petition read as follows— To the Honourable The Speaker and Members of the House of...
    • Road Safety (1 speech)
      My electorate has long been situated between the manufacturing hub of Melbourne's west and Melbourne's ports. As a result, trucks have long been a frequent sight on our streets. When homes,...
    • Western Australia Senate Election (1 speech)
      Next Saturday is a crucial date for the future of Western Australia. Voters will go back to the polls to elect six senators to represent our great state. This is an opportunity for Western...
    • Greek Independence Day (2 speeches)
      I join the member for Kingsford Smith in paying tribute to the anniversary of the Greek War of Independence. Yesterday, the Greek community in Scullin, at their premises in Lalor, had a lunch in...
    • Western Tiers Cycling Challenge (1 speech)
      One of Tasmania's oldest community fundraising rides, the Western Tiers Cycle Challenge, will be run again on Sunday 30 March. It will be the 9th running of this event, which is jointly organised...
    • Youth Connections (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 to funding for Youth Connections providers which runs out at the...
    • Hinkler Electorate: Elliott Heads Surf Life Saving Club (1 speech)
      I rise to bring to the House's attention the wonderful work of the Holden family from the Elliott Heads Surf Life Saving Club in my electorate of Hinkler. Bob and Shirley are life members of the...
    • Canberra Electorate: Parties at the Shops, Canberra Electorate: Winnunga Nimmityjah Aboriginal Health Service (1 speech)
      One of the most successful aspects of Canberra's centenary celebrations was Parties at the Shops, celebrating Canberra's unique local shops culture. I am very pleased that Parties at the Shops...
    • Western Australia: Economy (2 speeches)
      I want to take this opportunity to speak about the WA economy, its contribution to the national economy and the relevance to the Senate election coming up in one week's time. During the worst...
  • Questions without Notice (0 speeches)
    • Budget (14 speeches)
      My question is to the Prime Minister. His Liberal government's priority has been to abolish the national debt limit and double the deficit, adding $68 billion for new spending and changed...
    • Economy (13 speeches)
      My question is to the Treasurer. Would the Treasurer outline the government's plans to grow the economy and create jobs?
    • Honours and Awards (9 speeches)
      My question is to the Prime Minister. Why is the government's priority a plan to bring back knights and dames, but there is no plan for Alcoa workers, for car workers, or for Qantas workers?...
  • Motions (0 speeches)
    • Speaker (3 speeches)
      Madam Speaker, I seek leave to move a motion which has not been moved in this form in the House since 1949: That the House has no further confidence in Madam Speaker on the grounds: (a) that in...
  • Business (0 speeches)
    • Rearrangement (13 speeches)
      I move: That so much of the standing orders be suspended as would prevent the honourable member for Watson from moving the following motion forthwith: That the House has no further confidence in...
  • Questions without Notice (0 speeches)
    • Alcoa (8 speeches)
      A long, long time ago, the Leader of the Opposition asked me a question and I propose to answer it. I was asked what our plan is for the workers at Alcoa. Our plan is to scrap the carbon tax...
    • Asylum Seekers (6 speeches)
      My question is to the Prime Minister. Currently, there are 315 children in prison-like facilities on Christmas Island—some for almost a year. According to the president of the Human Rights...
    • Budget (25 speeches)
      My question is to the Treasurer. Will the Treasurer outline the state of the budget and importance of governments living within their means? How will the government living within its means help...
    • Honours and Awards (29 speeches)
      My question is to the Prime Minister. Even former Prime Minister John Winston Howard believes that the Prime Minister's plan to play knights and dames is anachronistic. Why won't the Prime...
  • Documents (0 speeches)
    • Presentation (1 speech)
      Documents are tabled in accordance with the list circulated to honourable members. Details of the documents will be recorded in the Votes and Proceedingsas follows: National Health and Medical...
  • Business (0 speeches)
    • Leave of Absence (1 speech)
      I move: That leave of absence be given to every member of the House of Representatives from the determination of this sitting of the House to the date of its next sitting. Can I congratulate you,...
  • Documents (0 speeches)
  • Personal Explanations (0 speeches)
    • (5 speeches)
      Madam Speaker, I wish to make a personal explanation.
  • Matters of Public Importance (0 speeches)
    • Abbott Government (19 speeches)
      I have received a letter from the honourable the Leader of the Opposition, proposing that a definite matter of public importance be submitted to the House for discussion, namely: The Abbott...
  • Bills (0 speeches)
  • Adjournment (0 speeches)
    • Member for Dobell, Donations to Political Parties (1 speech, 1 comment)
      I am concerned about issues surrounding three New South Wales state MPs on the Central Coast who have been forced to resign from the Liberal Party, pending an Independent Commission Against...
    • Deregulation (1 speech)
      Faced with increasing competition from countries in our region and the export opportunities provided by free trade agreements, a more efficient private sector will be the key to economic growth...
    • Hotham Electorate: Moorabbin Airport Development (1 speech, 1 comment)
      I rise to make a statement on behalf of Dingley Village residents in relation to Moorabbin Airport. Dingley Village is a tight-knit community with great schools and active community groups in the...
    • Western Australia Senate Election (1 speech)
      The Labor Party must think people in Western Australia are fools. It was only last week that Mr Shorten came to Western Australia and said, 'Labor is scrapping the carbon tax,' then came back to...
    • Asylum Seekers (1 speech)
      I take this opportunity, before the parliament rises for a significant period, to make some comments on the asylum seeker issue. It is no great secret that I have not rejoiced in policies that...
    • Western Australia Senate Election (4 speeches)
      I rise to speak about the upcoming Senate election on 5 April. It has been just over 200 days since Western Australians went to the polls and elected a coalition government. Since the result on 7...
  • Statements by Members (0 speeches)
    • Nelson, Ms Kathrine (Kath) (1 speech)
      Last Friday, I attended the funeral of the Queensland state Secretary of the Australian Services Union, Kath Nelson, a friend of mine, a fierce advocate for workers and a Labor loyalist. At just...
    • Hinkler Electorate: Aged Care (1 speech)
      I rise to speak about an issue that has been of significant concern to my constituents for many years, and that is the issue of aged-care services. ABS data shows that the median age in Hinkler...
    • Live Animal Exports, International Year of Solidarity with the Palestinian People (1 speech)
      Like most Australians, I have been horrified by the ongoing images of acts of cruelty to Australian animals exported through Australia's live export trade. Australia has exported 160 million...
    • La Trobe Electorate: Sport (1 speech)
      Recently I had the great pleasure to present local sporting champion grants to some of our dynamic young sports boys and girls at an afternoon tea in my electorate of La Trobe. The Local Sporting...
    • Atypical Haemolytic Uremic Syndrome (1 speech)
      I rise today to bring to the attention of this parliament the rare and life-threatening disease, atypical haemolytic uremic syndrome. AHUS, as it is known, is a genetic disease which can severely...
    • Stirling Electorate: Balga Senior High School F1 in Schools Technology Challenge Team (1 speech)
      I would like to draw the attention of the House to a group of impressive young people in my electorate at Balga Senior High School who have successfully integrated into mainstream classes from...
    • Fremantle Electorate: Homelessness (1 speech)
      I would like to take this opportunity to raise the importance of homelessness support services in my electorate, and in doing so to highlight the urgent need for the government to move quickly to...
    • Braidwood: Seniors Week (1 speech)
      Last Friday I had the great pleasure of attending a senior citizens event, a seniors expo, held in Braidwood during Seniors Week. For those of you who have never been there, Braidwood is one of...
    • Racial Discrimination Act 1975 (1 speech)
      The Prime Minister's Indigenous adviser, Warren Mundine, a person I am honoured to call a friend, made some very prescient observations on radio the other day and previously on Lateline about...
    • Robertson Electorate: Defence Force Retirement Benefits (2 speeches)
      I rise firstly to commend Senator Michael Ronaldson, the Minister for Veterans Affairs, for his championing of and leadership on the Defence Force Retirement Benefits Legislation Amendment (Fair...
    • Bendigo Electorate: Ms Carol Rasmussen (1 speech)
      Today I rise to pay tribute to a true local hero of the Long Gully community. Carol Rasmussen served the Long Gully community for over 25 years. She is the retiring coordinator of the Long Gully...
    • Hughes Electorate: New South Wales Woman of the Year Awards (1 speech)
      I am pleased to report to the House the special achievement of a constituent of the electorate of Hughes who on 7 March was awarded a prestigious honour by the New South Wales Premier, Barry...
    • Coal Seam Gas, Coastal Erosion (1 speech)
      I rise to table two petitions that have been through the petitions committee. The first one is in order with the committee. It is from citizens in the Lyne electorate who are concerned about coal...
    • McBride, Mr Tom (1 speech)
      I rise today to congratulate Tom McBride, the principal of St Johns Park Public School, on 60 years of service in public education. I recently had the opportunity to present him with a community...
    • Greenway Electorate: Medicare Office Saturday Closure (1 speech)
      I rise to raise the issue of the recent action by the Minister for Human Services and self-appointed Liberal 'duty senator' for Greenway, Senator Payne, to close Blacktown's Medicare office on...
    • Broadband (1 speech)
      This week's attack by the member for Perth, Alannah MacTiernan, on the Abbott government's rollout of the NBN was nothing more than an attempt by the Labor Party to use the regions for their own...
    • Lung Cancer (1 speech)
      I rise today to remind the House of the importance of research and support for those suffering from lung cancer. Many members, including the member for Shortland, were at a function just the...
    • Cairns Qantas Crew Base (1 speech)
      I rise today to speak on behalf of the members of the Qantas crew base in Cairns, who received the shattering news four weeks ago that their base will be closed. One hundred and ten crew and...
    • Chifley Electorate: 2014 Coral McLean Awards (1 speech)
      For the last few years we have hosted a very special breakfast that coincides with International Women's Day. The focus of the breakfast is to commemorate the service of Coral McLean. Coral...
    • Reid Electorate: Community (2 speeches)
      It is an honour to rise following on from the member for Chifley talking about an International Women's Day event. I had that absolute privilege a couple of weeks ago to attend an event in Auburn...
  • Condolences (0 speeches)
    • (18 speeches)
      Rarely in my lifetime has the world seen a greater mystery than that surrounding the fate of Malaysian Airlines flight MH370, which was last heard from on 8 March, nearly three weeks ago. Those...
  • Adjournment (0 speeches)
    • Tasmania (1 speech)
      Tasmania went to the polls on 15 March and, of course, the Tasmanian people voted for a change of government, a government that will come into effect in coming days, as the Tasmanian Electoral...
    • Dobell Electorate: Marine Rescue (1 speech)
      Volunteers are the glue that binds our community. Volunteers give up countless hours of their time to improve social, environmental and economic outcomes for our community. The 2001 census found...
    • Richmond Electorate: Save Lot 490 Group (1 speech)
      I rise today to speak about many of the concerns locals in Richmond have about some of the actions of both the federal and state governments. In the federal arena many locals are very concerned...
    • Deregulation (1 speech)
      When I walk around and talk to small businesses and industries in my electorate of Capricornia they tell me they are hurting. Things are tough and global markets are down, and some local...
    • Global Gardens of Peace, Petition: Age Pension (1 speech)
      On Tuesday, together with my colleague and co-convener of the Parliamentary Friends of Multiculturalism, the member for McMillan, I was pleased to host the launch of the international charity...
    • Economy (1 speech)
      We have many responsibilities in this place but none is more fundamental than making sure that the economy is strong. That applies to every electorate around Australia and certainly none more so...