House debates
Monday, 1 September 2014
- Coal Seam Gas (1 speech)
I am pleased to report to the House that at the recent New South Wales state Labor conference an urgency motion was unanimously passed supporting a coal seam gas mining free North Coast. This is... - Flynn Electorate: Mayne, Mr Bryson (1 speech)
Bryson Mayne, a young well-loved member of the local community of Rolleston, was only 29 years of age when he was tragically killed while cross-loading cattle from a road train at Gracemere... - Gellibrand Electorate: Uruguayan Community (1 speech)
Recently I had the pleasure of attending and addressing the Uruguayan-Australian cultural community during their celebrations of Uruguay's independence day. I was particularly pleased on this day... - Higgins Electorate: Anzac Centenary Local Grants Program (1 speech)
During the winter recess, on 4 August, I, like many members in this place, paused to remember the centenary of the beginning of World War I. There is no doubt that the next four years, as we... - Shortland Electorate: Australian Red Cross (1 speech)
On Saturday night I attended the 100th anniversary celebration of the Red Cross in Belmont, in my electorate. Belmont Red Cross has a proud history of working within the community and has worked... - Matterson, Mrs Norma (1 speech)
I want to talk about a woman who retired from the Lismore Base Hospital last Friday. Her name is Norma Matterson. She began work there on 5 July 1964—I am sure you were not born at that... - Firefoxes (1 speech)
I rise today to acknowledge, thank and congratulate the Firefoxes group. I am so proud to be your representative in parliament and I am grateful to you for the work you do to make your... - Townsville Football Cup (1 speech)
The Townsville Football Cup was held in Townsville over the last nine days. We had four teams. Three teams from the A-League—Brisbane Roar, Sydney FC and the Newcastle Jets—joined the... - Blashki, Ms Patricia OAM (1 speech)
I rise today to acknowledge the passing of a wonderful Australian. Patricia Blashki, or Pat as she was to her friends, was an absolute stalwart of the Springvale community for more than half a... - Green Army Program (1 speech)
I wish to refer the House to the government's Green Army program and its potential to bring large benefits to rural and regional areas. It is what I call practical environmentalism. In addition,... - Australian Red Cross (1 speech)
Earlier today the House debated a motion celebrating the 100th anniversary of the Red Cross in Australia. I was not able to speak in that debate, but I associate myself with the comments of those... - Wright Electorate: Bryce Lee-Bennett, Australian Student Prize (1 speech)
Recently, my office was advised by none other than the Hon. Christopher Pyne MP, Minister for Education, that Bryce Lee-Bennett, a school lad from my electorate, is a more recent recipient of the... - Lalor Electorate (1 speech)
After what can only be described as a horror budget, which has dominated the talk in my electorate for months, it is nice to speak today about some positives, about some wins in my local... - Leichhardt Electorate (1 speech)
Last Saturday, 30 August, I had the honour and the privilege of opening the redeveloped Jones Park. The redevelopment was achieved through a $3.5 million federal government grant and that was out... - Asbestos (1 speech)
Around 700 deaths a year occur as a result of exposure to asbestos, a number which is increasing and projected to peak in the next decade. Asbestos is a class 1 carcinogen and there is no safe... - Swan Electorate (1 speech)
On 19 August I had the pleasure of presenting at the Juniper Outreach and Wellness Program at the Rowethorpe aged-care complex in Bentley within my electorate of Swan. The Outreach and Wellness... - Steel, Mr Kurt (1 speech)
It is with the heaviest of hearts today that I rise to pay tribute to a wonderful young Canberran, Labor Party member, political staffer and friend—Kurt Steel. Kurt was tragically killed in... - Banks Electorate: Roads (1 speech)
I was pleased to meet with residents of Connells Point and Kyle Bay in my electorate over the weekend. We met at Donnelly Park in Connells Point to launch a petition in order to address the issue... - Griffith Electorate: Seton College (1 speech)
Like a former contributor, I am pleased that, in amongst all of the talk about the rotten budget and the changes to the pensions and the GP tax, we can at least talk about some good news in this... - Petrie Electorate: Roads (1 speech)
Last month a petition was handed to the Brisbane City Council calling for improvements to the corner of the Lacey Road and Beams Road intersection in Carseldine. The peak hour traffic heading in... - Hallett Cove Meals on Wheels (1 speech)
I rise today to recognise the work done by the Hallett Cove Meals on Wheels branch who recently celebrated their 22nd year of delivering meals to those in our community who cannot easily shop or... - Edith Cowan University: Professor Kerry Cox (1 speech)
May I take this opportunity to place on record that Professor Kerry O. Cox, the Vice-Chancellor of Edith Cowan University within my electorate, will retire from his position on Saturday, 6... - Scullin Electorate: University of the Third Age (1 speech)
On Friday, 21 August, I was thrilled to be able to attend the annual general meeting of the Whittlesea University of the Third Age at Epping Memorial Hall. I was even more thrilled to see such a... - Iraq (1 speech)
I applaud the Prime Minister for his statement to the House today on the developments in Iraq. In doing so I put on the public record my full support for us to do whatever is required to assist... - Parramatta Electorate: Fashion Designers (1 speech)
You could not help noticing, if you lived in Parramatta and you walked down the streets or attended the local markets, the growing number of fashion designers that are springing up in our... - Corangamite Electorate: Olive Oil Industry (1 speech)
I rise to address an important issue in the Australian olive oil industry. Last week I visited Boundary Bend olives with the Treasurer. This business is one of the Geelong region's great success... - Adams, Mrs Marie (1 speech)
I rise to pay tribute to long-time Red Cross volunteer Marie Adams, who devoted her life to charitable causes. Marie, who was 81 years of age, died very recently. She gave most of her spare time... - Sheepvention (1 speech)
I rise this afternoon to congratulate all those who are involved with Sheepvention this year at Hamilton. Sheepvention is the largest agricultural fair for sheep and the wool industry in... - Let's Go Greek Parramatta (1 speech)
On Saturday I attended an extraordinary event in Parramatta—extraordinary for two reasons. The Let's Go Greek festival was extraordinary because of the amazing number of people who turned... - Gold Industry (1 speech)
On 6 August I was honoured to represent the Prime Minister at the 2014 Diggers & Dealers conference in Kalgoorlie—the unofficial gold capital of Australia. This conference is a renowned...
