Speeches

Debit Card Trial Bill

I rise today to speak on the Social Security Legislation Amendment (Debit Card Trial) Bill 2015. The federal government is building a strong, prosperous and sustainable economy for a safe and secure Australia. Since coming to office in September 2013, more than 335,000 jobs have been created. This bill is part of the government's plan for a sus... read more »

Geraldton Ice Summit

I rise to speak on an insidious drug that is tearing families apart not only in our cities but also in our rural, regional and remote towns and communities. Of course, the drug I speak of is ice, and I believe it is the most destructive drug on the illicit market. Good, decent families in my electorate of Durack are being torn apart by the phys... read more »

2015 GNFL Grand Final

Let's talk AFL. It is good to be a West Australian today following West Coast's and my beloved Fremantle's wins on the weekend, booking them both a home preliminary final and giving them a much needed week off. While these two teams rest up, in the Mid West, our attention turns to the GNFL grand final between Towns and Brigades at WA Country ... read more »

2015 Dowerin Field Days

I am very pleased today to speak about the Dowerin field days. The Dowerin field days are one of the biggest agricultural events in regional Australia. Thousands of people travel from interstate and from as far as the Kimberley and as far south as the southern Goldfields for the event, which lights up the wheat belt. More than 22,000 people att... read more »

Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Amendment Bill 2015

It is good to see that I finally agree with something the member for Moreton has said. He is a lover of Paul Kelly as am I, so isn't that nice to find something we both agree on? I am pleased to rise to speak to the House today on the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Amendment Bill 2015. The Abbott government is buildin... read more »

Small Business and Unfair Contract Terms BIll

I rise to speak on the Treasury Legislation Amendment (Small Business and Unfair Contract Terms) Bill 2015, which I believe will protect more than 13,000 small businesses in my electorate of Durack. This bill further demonstrates my and the Abbott government's passion for small business. Since this government came into office in September 2013... read more »

Pilbara Regiment

The FeNaCING Festival was held in Karratha earlier this month and it was there that I met with members of the Pilbara Regiment, including Major Peter Southern, Officer Commanding 2nd Squadron; Corporal Gill; and Private Sycamore. The Pilbara Regiment is one of three Regional Force Surveillance Units employed in surveillance and reconnaissance o... read more »

FeNaClNG Festival

I am thrilled today to take this opportunity to speak about this year's FeNaCING Festival, which I attended in Karratha in the Pilbara earlier this month. The annual FeNaCING Festival is organised by the volunteers of the Karratha Dampier Lions Club, and this year the festival celebrated its 43rd birthday. The name of the festival is derived fr... read more »

Social Services Legislation Amendment (Youth Employment and Other Measures) Bill 2015

I rise today to speak on the Social Services Legislation Amendment (Youth Employment and Other Measures) Bill 2015, which is a dynamic component of the 2015-16 budget. In the recent budget, the Abbott government unveiled the Growing Jobs and Small Business package, the biggest small business package in Australia's history. This is a vital policy, i... read more »

Northern Australia

  I am very pleased to speak tonight on the northern Australia white paper, Our North, our future. The white paper is one of the Abbott-led coalition's 2013 election promises. The paper will be northern Australia's blueprint and will unlock the potential of one of Australia's best assets. Madam Speaker, you know as well as I do that for too lo... read more »

Youth Employment

  It is my pleasure to speak in the grievance debate this evening. I want to talk about something that is very dear to my heart, which is youth affairs. The youth of Australia are in real need of a strong policy response to unemployment. Young people are the most underemployed demographic in our country, and we need to be putting young people... read more »

Live Animal Exports

I rise to speak today on the private member's motion regarding animal welfare. I want to start by stating categorically that I do not support animal cruelty in any form. Australia is regarded as a world leader in welfare standards for livestock exports. The Exporter Supply Chain Assurance System, known as ESCAS, which was rolled out in Australia in... read more »

Broome

I am pleased to advise the House of my visit to Broome last week. I started the week with the northern Australia committee meetings on the aquaculture industry at the Broome Civic Centre. This gave me an opportunity to listen to local business people in my electorate and hear firsthand what the government can do to assist them to flourish. Thanks t... read more »

Geraldton Hospital

I want to talk about a serious public health matter in Geraldton. The Geraldton regional hospital is the only public hospital in Geraldton and serves as the nearest hospital for many regional towns throughout the Mid West. The current 70-bed facility was built to replace the old 120-bed facility in 2005. This meant that the size of the hospital was... read more »