PARLIAMENT HOUSE, Canberra: It seems that there have been too many of these condolence motions lately. It is all too recently that we spoke in this place about five young military men who gave their lives in Afghanistan. Despite the fact that we have had many such motions before, it does not diminish the great…
PARLIAMENT HOUSE, Canberra: Our higher education sector is set for a massive transformation whether we like it or not. Just as the newspaper and retailing industries are facing huge disruptions due to the internet so too will the education sector. It will be immensely challenging to existing institutions, but potentially hugely beneficial to Australians. The…
PARLIAMENT HOUSE, Canberra: We have sat here for 15 minutes listening to the member for Moreton, but he barely, if at all, discussed any reason as to why the government are cutting the Chronic Disease Dental Scheme, which is the central focus of this bill, the Dental Benefits Amendment Bill 2012. I think the reason…
Almost 100 Knox seniors shared their views on important issues such as superannuation, the health system, and cuts to the government’s Chronic Disease Dental Scheme at a Seniors Forum hosted by Federal Member for Aston Alan Tudge MP with special guest The Hon Bronwyn Bishop MP, Shadow Minister for Seniors. The forum was held at…
PARLIAMENT HOUSE, Canberra: I rise to speak just very briefly on the report entitled Our land, our languages, which has been tabled. I would firstly like to commend the committee members of this report for taking the time in having hearings in many different places and putting together a very thorough and good report. I…
PARLIAMENT HOUSE, Canberra: I also support the motion that Health Insurance (Dental services) Amendment Determination 2012 (No. 1), dated 3 September 2012, made under subsection 3C(1) of the Health Insurance Act 1973, be disallowed. If this disallowance motion does not pass today and if the government’s Dental Benefits Amendment Bill does pass today, three things…
PARLIAMENT HOUSE, Canberra: I rise to table a 5,000-signature petition for the introduction into Australia of CyberKnife radiotherapy treatment. CyberKnife is a remarkable technology that has the capacity to save or improve the lives of hundreds of people who are suffering from cancer. It provides a precisely targeted robotic-arm radiotherapy treatment so that less damage…
PARLIAMENT HOUSE, Canberra: I rise also to speak on the Australian Charities and Not-for-profits Commission Bill 2012 and the Australian Charities and Not-for-profits Commission (Consequential and Transitional) Bill 2012. Everyone in this House no doubt shares the view that charities and non-profits do vitally important work across the community. They run many of our great…
PARLIAMENT HOUSE, Canberra: I rise also to support this motion which supports National Police Remembrance Day, which in Victoria we commemorate as Blue Ribbon Day. This day was instigated in 1989 and is held on 29 September the origins of which is the feast day of Saint Michael, who is the patron saint of police.…
PARLIAMENT HOUSE, Canberra: I rise to speak strongly against this bill in front of us. It is not because I am enamoured of the concept of the supertrawler but rather for three fundamental reasons. First, in no good conscience could I support a bill which gives such unfettered power to a minister to close down…