Posted on Wednesday, 3 September, 2008
I must say from the outset that I support the Social Security and Veterans’ Entitlements Legislation Amendment (Schooling Requirements) Bill 2008, recognising that it is no silver bullet to fix truancy and underenrolment, which is a permanent intergenerational handbrake on the children of our nation... ... more
Posted on Thursday, 26 June, 2008
I would like again to draw the attention of the parliament to the all-out attack on rural and regional communities in South Australia by the state government’s plan to downgrade 43 country hospitals to GP Plus centres—a polite euphemism for bandaid centres. I briefly spoke on this alarming situation... ... more
Posted on Tuesday, 3 June, 2008
I rise to address the Appropriation Bill (No. 1) 2008-2009 and related bills. I am the representative of the people of Grey, by any description a regionally and rurally focused seat. As a new member of parliament I come to this House still believing that whatever side of the House we sit on we are h... ... more
Posted on Wednesday, 28 May, 2008
I would like to bring to the attention of the chamber a water recycling scheme in the city of Port Pirie—a city which is home to a world-class smelting operation concentrating predominantly on lead. Port Pirie has a long history in this industry and has had an historical problem with blood lead leve... ... more
Posted on Wednesday, 19 March, 2008
How pleased I am to see a good crowd in here to hear what I have to say; thank you for attending! I address the Telecommunications Legislation Amendment (Communications Fund) Bill 2008. As has become the norm in this parliament, this is yet another assault on rural and regional Australia. It is an a... ... more
Posted on Tuesday, 18 March, 2008
I am proud to come to this House and come to Canberra to represent the electors of Grey. One of the things I need to do as I represent the electors of Grey is put forward their interests. Since I have come to Canberra—and I have only been coming here for a few weeks—I have felt as though my electors... ... more
Posted on Wednesday, 12 March, 2008
The Infrastructure Australia Bill 2008 is very important, and I am pleased to be able to speak in this debate. I would firstly like to tell you a bit about the electorate of Grey and the things that are happening there at the moment. Whilst the thrust of this legislation is not unwelcome, what I am ... ... more
Posted on Wednesday, 12 March, 2008
I also welcome the delegation. Enjoy our country. This morning I would like to bring to this House’s attention a beautiful city in my electorate and a fantastic event. The city is Port Lincoln on the Lower Eyre Peninsula. Port Lincoln is the home of the biggest fishing fleet in the Southern Hemisphe... ... more
Posted on Tuesday, 11 March, 2008
I rise to my feet this evening to try and bring to the attention of this House and the people of Australia an unfortunate by-product of what I think was a very well-meant decision by FSANZ, Food Standards Australia New Zealand. The decision by FSANZ to request the mandatory addition of folic acid to... ... more