House debates

Wednesday, 22 October 2014

  • Live Animal Exports (1 speech)
    Australia can sometimes be a cruel and selfish country. Too many people are happy with, or at least prepared to turn a blind eye to, the government's asylum seeker policy. Some people actually...
  • Citizenship (1 speech)
    It was my great privilege on the weekend before last to welcome 51 new Australians in my electorate of McPherson on behalf of our nation. I hosted a morning tea and a citizenship ceremony at one...
  • Budget (1 speech)
    Recently, the Australian Workplace Innovation and Social Research Centre at the very good University of Adelaide undertook research on the impacts of the Abbott government's 2014 budget on my...
  • Mitchell, Mrs Lorna (1 speech)
    I take this opportunity today to honour one of the stalwarts of the Kalgoorlie-Boulder community: Lorna Mitchell nee Bell. Lorna was born in Kunanalling in July 1913 and went to school in...
  • Asylum Seekers (1 speech)
    The Very Rev. John Roundhill, Dean of St Paul's Anglican Cathedral; Rev. Gordon Bannon, Uniting Church minister; Dylan LeClerc, Pentecostal pastor; Michelle Rankin, Eaglehawk community worker;...
  • Macquarie Electorate: 24 Hour Fight Against Cancer (1 speech)
    I rise today to congratulate the organisers of and participants in the 24 Hour Fight Against Cancer Macarthur on their remarkable efforts at last Saturday's walkathon. The 24 Hour Fight Against...
  • Family Day Care (1 speech)
    Another day, another broken promise from the Abbott government, this time impacting quite dramatically on family day care. Family day care is an absolutely essential community service to provide...
  • Mental Health (1 speech)
    There is no more powerful image that comes to mind when thinking about the issue of mental health than the one I relate here of an aged widow diagnosed with schizophrenia and manic depression,...
  • Higher Education (1 speech)
    Since the New South Wales Liberal government came into office, in their first budget in 2012 they indicated over 800 jobs would be cut from TAFE New South Wales. Since then, in preparation for...
  • Braddon Electorate: Illicit Drugs (1 speech)
    The north-west coast, west coast and King Island, which make up the seat of Braddon, are best known for their produce, both agricultural and industrial, and also for their stunning landscapes. It...
  • Petition: Renewable Energy Target (4 speeches)
    On behalf of my community I present a petition signed by 313 members of the community calling on the Abbott government not to abandon the renewable energy target and to continue to ensure that...
  • Grafton Jacaranda Festival 2014 (1 speech)
    It is a great pleasure for me to talk today about an event which is very synonymous with our community. I had a phone call at about 7.30 this morning from a colleague of mine Mr Isaac Day, with...
  • Hindmarsh Electorate: Education (1 speech)
    I rise today to commend the work of secondary schools in Hindmarsh, as hundreds of year 12 students prepare for their final exams in the coming week. I would like to acknowledge the tremendous...
  • People with Disability (1 speech)
    Wheeling and Able is a charitable not-for-profit organisation which organises holiday accommodation in units that are fully accessible for people with disability. There are two particular units,...
  • Same-Sex Relationships (1 speech)
    I rise today to highlight a very important campaign called The New Norm. This awareness campaign is designed to educate people on the lack of support for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and...
  • Vocational Education and Training (1 speech)
    I start by absolutely endorsing and associating myself with the comments of the member for Leichhardt in complete opposition to homophobia in the community. That was a very worthwhile...
  • Moore Electorate: Infrastructure (1 speech)
    Local governments in my region are seeking to engage with the federal government on key infrastructure projects and strategic cooperation initiatives. The Cities of Joondalup, Stirling, and...
  • Filipino Australians (1 speech)
    Today I want to sing the praises of a young woman from the electorate of Chifley, because that is what she does in spectacular fashion. Marlisa Punzalan is a singer of extraordinary...
  • Chiapello, Mr Rod (1 speech)
    Saturday was McHappy Day, and I had the pleasure of joining some local residents, community groups and McDonalds staff to fundraise for Ronald McDonald House. Now in its 24th year, McHappy Day...