Latest Speeches
Minerals Resource Rent Tax - 22 November 2011
I rise to speak in support of the Minerals Resource Rent Tax Bill 2011 and associated cognate bills that will implement the minerals resource rent tax and extend the petroleum resource rent tax.
Headspace Newcastle - 2 November 2011
According to the Hunter Mental Health Institute, approximately 6,000 young Novocastrians aged between 12 and 25 will experience depression at a disorder level, with another 2½ thousand young people experiencing serious anxiety problems.
Australian Renewable Energy Agency - 2 November 2011
By creating a long-term funding pipeline for research and development, and the commercialisation of renewable energy through the establishment of ARENA, these Bills will help to make renewable energy a realistic option for the Australian community.
Galvanizers Association of Australia Conference - 16 October 2011
One of the highlights of my decade as the Federal Member for Newcastle has been working closely with the manufacturing sector - a sector that makes a major contribution to the local and national economy.
Fronditha Care's Hippocrates Aged Care Opening - 15 October 2011
It is a special pleasure to be here to celebrate the realisation of what began as little more than an aspiration - a vision for a facility to cater for the ageing Greek community.
Statement on Tax Reform- 12 October 2011
It is a pleasure to rise to speak in this tax reform discussion and it is also a pleasure to follow the desperately irrelevant Member for Casey, another member who, like his colleagues, has opposed every reform ever put forward by a Labor government: superannuation, Medicare, the NBN, clean energy and now tax reform.
World Alzheimer's Day - 21 September 2011
I rise to inform the house that this week is Dementia Awareness Week, with today, the twenty-first of September, being World Alzheimer's Day.
Carbon Pricing - 20 September 2011
I rise to speak in support of a proactive plan to take action to reduce the harmful effects of climate change; I rise to speak in support of putting a price on carbon pollution; and I rise to speak in support of this package of Bills that will provide the foundation of our clean energy future.
National Police Remembrance Day - 19 September 2011
I commend the motion moved by the member for Fowler in acknowledging the contributions made by police officers from across our Australian communities.
Newcastle's future as a world-class tourist destination - 15 September 2011
I rise to update the House on the ongoing transformation of Newcastle into a vibrant and buzzing cultural hub, building further its potential as a world-class tourism destination.
Cadel Evans - 25 August 2011
I congratulate Cadel Evans on his wonderful achievement. I am not a bike rider, which is obvious to everybody here, but my alter ego is a fit person and I am an Australian who is inspired by the efforts of people like Cadel Evans.
Margaret Olley - 24 August 2011
A very dear and important part of the Newcastle cultural community till her death last month was Margaret Olley and I take this opportunity to acknowledge her talent, her generosity, her individuality and her long association with Newcastle.
Marriage Equality - 24 August 2011
Mr Speaker, in late 2010 the House resolved Members should seek the views of constituents on ways to achieve equal treatment for same sex couples, including marriage.
Workers' Entitlements - 22 August 2011
I rise to speak of the human consequences of a failure to comply with legislatively mandated superannuation requirements and the toll that this can have, and did have, on the family of Robert Watson.
Excise Tariff Amendment Bill - 22 August 2011
I rise to to speak in favour of these cognate Bills, the Excise Tariff Amendment (Condensate) Bill and the Excise Legislation Amendment (Condensate ) Bill 2011.
Support for Manufacturing- 18 August 2011
I am pleased to stand here today to lend my support to Labor's latest demonstration of its support for regional employment and a competitive manufacturing industry - the Customs Amendment (Anti-Dumping Improvements) Bill.
City to Surf - 18 August 2011
I am extremely proud to inform the House that two Novocastrians - the mighty Kurt Fearnley and the wonderful Christie Dawes - won the inaugural male and female wheelchair elite category in last Sunday's Sun-Herald City to Surf.
Stockton Chemical Leak - 16 August 2011
Last Monday, Orica accidentally released a quantity of 10kg of hexavalent chromium, which spread over the neighbouring suburb of Stockton.
National Broadband Network - 4 July 2011
I am pleased to stand here this evening to speak in favour of the Telecommunications Legislation Amendment (Fibre Deployment) Bill and in support of the continued rollout of the National Broadband Network.
Newcastle Refugee Services - 16 June 2011
I rise today to draw attention to the appropriations, particularly in the Immigration and Citizenship area.
Carbon Credits Bill - 16 June 2011
I rise today to speak in support of the Carbon Credits (Carbon Farming Initiative) Bill 2011 and in support of an environmentally sensitive Australia.
Health Services in the Hunter Region - 15 June 2011
For us, this Budget delivers on four years of great investment in the health of our electorates.
Alfred Stone OAM - 2 June 2011
I rise in sadness to commemorate the life and note with deep regret the death of a very special Novocastrian, Mr Alfred Stone OAM.
Carbon Price - 31 May 2011
I rise to correct the latest attempt by the Liberal Party to mislead the public, and the constituents of my electorate of Newcastle, on the impact of a carbon price.
Convention on the Preservation of Wetlands - 30 May 2011
I rise to mark the 40th anniversary of the Convention on Wetlands of International Importance.
2011 Federal Budget - 26 May 2011
We have delivered a responsible budget, it is a Budget true to the values of Labor and true to our commitment to equality and opportunity for all.
Brain Cancer Action Week - 11 May 2011
As it is unlike its more colourful cousins, many Australians will not have seen the grey and white ribbon that I am wearing today, yet many people in my electorate and throughout Australia will have seen the effects of brain cancer in a friend, a family member, perhaps a work colleague.
70th Anniversary of Departure of 450 Squadron - 9 April 2011
It’s a pleasure to be here today on behalf of the Minister for Defence, the Hon Stephen Smith MP, to commemorate the 70th anniversary of the departure of 450 Squadron, the ‘Desert Harassers’.
International Women's Day in Newcastle - 23 March 2011
On 8 March, the 100th anniversary of International Women's Day was celebrated around the world, and I would like to share three very different Newcastle events in which I had the privilege to participate.
Condolence Motion on Japanese Disasters - 22 March 2011
I add my voice to the condolences that have been made here in this Parliament to the people of Japan.
Matter of Public Importance - Price on Carbon - 22 March 2011
It is a great pleasure to rise on what I see as a Matter of Public Importance set by this incompetent Opposition - an own goal, all its own work.
Newcastle's Path to Prosperity - 22 March 2011
I rise to update the House on the path to prosperity followed by my electorate of Newcastle and the lessons to be drawn from that.
Assisting the Victims of Terrorism Bill 2010 - 28 February 2011
I rise to speak on the Private Members' Bill, the Assisting the Victims of Overseas Terrorism Bill 2010. As was the case when this Bill was last presented, in late 2009, the Government cannot support it in its current form and neither can I.
Telecommunications Legislation Amendment (National Broadband Network Measures - Access) Bill 2010 and National Broadband Network Companies Bill 2010 -28 February 2011
These Bills are a key part of the legislative package required to deliver the Federal Labor Government's commitment to establish a National Broadband Network in this great nation, an initiative that defines this Government and its vision and that will define this country's future.
Flood Levy Debate - 22 February 2011
I too rise to speak in support of the Tax Laws Amendment (Temporary Flood Reconstruction Levy) Bill 2011 and the Income Tax Rates Amendment (Temporary Flood Reconstruction Levy) Bill 2011 and offer my support for them.