Speeches 2011
Social Security Amendment (Student Income Support Reforms) Bill 2011
October 31, 2011
I welcome the opportunity to follow on from the member for Maranoa, who has very effectively highlighted the stupidity of what this government had done to students in regional and rural areas, but I very much welcome the effect that this new legislation will have on many families in my electorate of Cowper and throughout many areas of regional and rural Australia. It will end more than two years of unfairness, uncertainty and hardship for young people trying to plan for their higher education future. To many, the changes to the test for independent youth allowance in this bill will make the difference between attending university or not.
Clean Energy Bill
September 15, 2011
It has been a long time since legislation before this House has aroused public passion as we are now seeing with the clean energy bills. I cannot recall scenes in the public areas of this House as we have seen this week. We should not be surprised because these bills, if passed, will affect every Australian family profoundly. So many of the assumptions underlying their provisions are dubious and the government's attempts to sell the measures are contentious, to say the least.
Matters of Public Importance: Regional Australia
May 12,2011
I certainly welcome the opportunity to speak on this matter of public importance because I believe, and certainly my constituents believe, that the Pacific Highway is indeed the most important infrastructure project in this country.
Adjournment: Northern New South Wales Fishing Industry
May 23, 2100
Today I would like to take the opportunity to table in this parliament a petition in regard to the Gillard government's proposal to create a new Commonwealth marine reserve on the New South Wales North Coast. The petition says the following:
Constituency Statement - Cowper Electorate: Charity Bike Ride
May 30, 2011
On 2, 3 and 4 May this year I had my annual charity bike ride. The beneficiaries of that bike ride were the Disabled Surfers Association and Macleay Vocational College. The Disabled Surfers Association does fantastic work in providing people with a disability with the opportunity to enjoy the surf in a safe and controlled way.
Appropriation Bill ( No 1) 2011-2012
May 26, 2011
I welcome the opportunity to speak on Appropriation Bill (No. 1) 2011-2012 and its cognate bills. I welcome the opportunity to speak on this legislation, which appropriates the funding sought through yet another Labor budget built on deficit, borrowing and debt. This is a typical Labor budget. We heard the government speak of a budget containing tough decisions but, once again, the government's spin and rhetoric fail to be matched by its actions.
Constituency Statement - Cowper Electorate: Centrelink, Maclean
June 2, 2011
I wish to make a statement on the threat to the Centrelink service in the town of Maclean in my electorate. It appears that the federal government is intent on treating Maclean residents as second-class citizens.
Constituency Statement - Cowper Electorate: Camphor laurel Trees
March 2, 2011
I would like to place on record the concerns of many residents in the Bellingen community regarding a Bellingen Shire Council proposal to remove three large camphor laurel trees from Church St, Bellingen.
Constituency Statement - Cowper Electorate: Government Programmes
February 10, 2011
I wish to make a statement on the consequences for my constituents of the Government’s ill-advised rush to increase public spending in response to the global financial crisis.