Senator Statement – Bribie Island Road Upgrade, Iranian Women’s Football Team – Humanitarian Visas, Parliamentary Friends of Refugees Event, Contributions of Refugee Communities Across Australia & Individual Refugee Stories.
Thank you, Deputy President. In relation to the K’gari–Bribie Island Road upgrade, I would like to place on the record my thanks to everyone in the relevant Queensland LNP Government ministry who advocated for this upgrade, and to everyone in the department who delivered it. I also want to acknowledge my good friend Terry Young […]
Senate Speech – Senate Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade Legislation Committee – DVA
I’ve been in contact with medical providers in my home state of Queensland, as well as with the AMA Queensland branch, and they’ve raised a number of disturbing issues with me. The first issue I want to raise with you is that the department appears to have sent out letters to practice managers in relation […]
Senate Speech – Parliamentary Friends of Whistleblowers, Ipswich Hospice Care & Aged Care
I was very pleased to attend last week the first function of the Parliamentary Friends of Whistleblowers, of which I am very, very happy to be a co-chair. I acknowledge the other co-chairs of the Parliamentary Friends of Whistleblowers—namely, Senator David Pocock, Senator Deborah O’Neill and Andrew Wilkie MP. I also note that in attendance […]
Senate Speech – Fuel Shortages
I want to provide a direct quote from Mr Parvo Walker of Walker Seafoods Queensland. Walker Seafoods Queensland is the largest harvester fishery dealing with the capture of wild tuna. They operate five vessels, employ six skippers, and have over 50 staff — they are a substantial organisation. They catch and process export‑grade tuna. This […]
Senate Speech – Home Guarantee Scheme
I associate myself with Senator Barbara Pocock’s remarks in this regard and also with Senator Andrew Bragg’s remarks. This is simply not good enough. Earlier in the week the Prime Minister used the forum of federal parliament to table the review into the Liberal Party’s performance at last election. The Australian people aren’t interested in […]
Senate Speech – Freedom of Speech
At the outset, I want to say that Senator Babet is right to raise this extraordinarily important issue with respect to freedom of speech. It is appropriate and proper that we reflect deeply on our freedoms. Senator Antic is also correct in raising issues that arose during the COVID pandemic. I personally believe we should […]
Senate Speech – Small Business
Goodness me, we all make mistakes. I’m not immune from making mistakes, and I’m sure others aren’t either. But just to explain what has happened here, for those watching or listening to this debate: essentially, ASIC was charging fees which they were not entitled to charge under the legislation passed by this place. This went […]
Senate Speech – Commonwealth Parole Board (Consequential and Transitional Provisions) Bill 2025
I listened very closely to Senator Brown’s comments and remarks in relation to the Commonwealth Parole Board Bill 2025, as I have listened to the remarks of other senators in this place. At the outset, I’d like to state that the position of attorney-general is quite unique in Australia’s political system. The Attorney-General is not […]
Senate Speech – Albanese Labor Government Focus
The question we have to ask is: why is the government spending so much time talking about the opposition? They’re the government. They’ve been the government for the last four years, and yet those people listening to question time would have heard repeated references to the opposition, to our leadership, and to our election review, […]
Senate Speech – Queensland Government, Ramadan & Matu Community of Queensland
I must say I was never any good at speed dating. I’m probably too longwinded. But I do admire Senator Polley’s passion for this area and her consistent advocacy in relation to a whole range of matters dealing with brain health. I knew nothing about juvenile dementia until Senator Polley actually gave a presentation in […]