2010 Speeches Archive
Celebrating our Teachers - 25 November 2010
Firstly, I would like to express my condolences to the families of the victims at the Pike River coalmine disaster in New Zealand and to the New Zealand people, from one mining community to another. We feel their pain.
Newcastle Named World's Ninth Best City to Visit - 25 November 2010
The Lonely Planet recently named Newcastle the ninth best city in the world to visit in their Best in Travel 2011 edition.
Human Rights (Parliamentary Scrutiny) Bill 2010 - 22 November 2010
I rise today to speak in support of these historic bills.
Private Members Motion: United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child - 22 November 2010
I am very pleased to have the opportunity to speak in support of the member for Fremantle's motion on the rights of children.
Higher Education Legislation Amendment (Student Services and Amenities) Bill 2010 - 18 November 2010
I rise to add my voice to the chorus of support - both within the House and within our universities - for this legislation.
Private Members Motion: Same-Sex Marriage - 15 November 2010
I rise to speak on the private member's motion put forward by the Member for Melbourne, and support the Member for Throsby's amendment that "This House calls on all Parliamentarians consistent with their duties as representatives to gauge their constituents' views on ways to achieve equal treatment of same sex couples including marriage.
Outstanding Young Novocastrians Adjournment Speech - 28 October 2010
I acknowledge the member for Fisher’s comments. It is a day for Daniel and for children everywhere in Australia, and I applaud the courage of his parents. I rise also to acknowledge the spirit and dedication of the youth of Newcastle, in particular five young Novocastrians who have excelled in their chosen fields.
Statement on Afghanistan - 27 October 2010
It is a good thing to debate our military and civilian involvement in Afghanistan. I welcome this opportunity to put forward my views and the views shared with me by the people I represent.
National Health and Hospitals Network Bill 2010 - 26 October 2010
As a nation it is fair to say that we stand at a crossroads. The decisions that we make here in this parliament will be critical if we are to build the sophisticated world-class health system necessary to meet the present and future needs of our ageing population.
Newcastle Korean Language School - 25 October 2010
I wish to place on the record my congratulations for the Newcastle Korean Language School, whose tenth anniversary dinner I attended a week ago.
Delegation Report - 25 October 2010
Mr Speaker, I present the report of the Australian Parliamentary Delegation to Ireland and Italy from June to July 2010.
Address-In-Reply to the Governor-General - 20 October 2010
I rise to speak in reply to the Governor General's address at the opening of the 43rd Parliament of Australia just a few weeks ago.
Newcastle Institute for Energy and Resources - 19 October 2010
I rise to pay tribute to Professors Paul Dastoor and Behdad Moghtaderi and Dr Elham Doroodchi, from the new Newcastle Institute for Energy and Resources, at the university of Newcastle, in my electorate.
Acknowledgement of Welcome to Country - 30 September 2010
I rise to add my thanks to Matilda House, a Ngambri elder, for the welcome to country extended to us on Tuesday as we celebrated the opening of this Parliament.
Opening of Refurbished Training Facilities, Hunter Institute of TAFE - 21 July 2010
Thank you. It's a great pleasure to be here today. I acknowledge that we meet on the land of the Awabakul people - the traditional owners and carers of this land and I pay my respect to elders past and present.
Opening of New Training Facilities at Hunter Community College - 20 July 2010
I am very pleased to be here today to officially open this building extension for the Hunter Community College.
Lambton Family Medical Centre Reopens - 31 May 2010
I rise to update the House with some good news on the Lambton Family Medical Centre, which I have raised in the House before.
Paid Parental Leave Bill 2010 - 31 May 2010
I am very pleased and very proud to rise to speak in support of the Paid Parental Leave Bill 2010 and related bills.
Appropriation Bill (No.1) 2010 - 31 May 2010
I rise to speak in support of the Appropriation Bill (No. 1) 2010-2011 and related legislation which supports the Rudd Government's 2010-2011 Federal Budget, the third budget this government has now handed down.
Congratulating Sporting Achievements - 27 May 2010
It is the day after the first round of the State of Origin, and some of us in New South Wales are feeling a little bruised by the result. I would like to share with the Chamber some of the good-news sports stories from my electorate of Newcastle.
Renewable Energy (Electricity) Amendment Bill 2010 - 26 May 2010
I rise today to speak in support of the Renewable Energy (Electricity) Amendment Bill and related legislation.
Joint Parliamentary Committee of Public Accounts and Audit: Budget Statement - 11 May 2010
The Public Accounts and Audit Committee Act requires the committee to consider draft estimates for the Audit Office, with the chair ultimately making a statement to the House on budget day on whether, in our opinion, the Auditor-General has been given sufficient funding to carry out his duties.
Closing the Gap Report 2010 - 25 February 2010
It is a pleasure to speak on the Closing the Gap report and to follow the member for Lingiari, the Minister for Indigenous Health, Rural and Regional Health and Regional Service Delivery, Mr Snowdown.
Constituency Statement - 23 February 2010
I would like to share with the House a very special event that took place in the Newcastle electorate last week.
Speech at the Newcastle Regional Art Gallery - 18 February 2010
it is a pleasure to be asked to speak at this reception to welcome back this very special work. I acknowledge the Lord Mayor, Councillors and past councillors present with us and thank Newcastle City Council for their continued and long-standing support of the Newcastle Regional Art Gallery.
Carbon Pollution Reduction Scheme 2010 and Cognate Bills - 10 February 2010
I am pleased to again have the opportunity to debate the CPRS legislation with the opposition. It is the third time that i do so.
Constituency Statement - 8 February 2010
I rise today to commend some of the great community work that has taken place over the last few months in the rejuvination of the Newcastle CBD and, in particular, the Hunter Street Mall.