TRANSCRIPT: SPEECH AT RICHARD NORDEN STATUE OPENING, SHERIDAN STREET, GUNDAGAI, 14 MAY 2026
Subjects: Richard Norden Statue Unveiling E&OE STARTS 11.12AM MICHAEL McCORMACK This is a special place. This is a special town, and this is a special man. Gundagai, you should be very proud today. One of your own sons is being remembered in a most magnificent way, an appropriate way. A true bronzed Aussie. A son […]
BILLS – Treasury Laws Amendment (The Survivors Law) Bill 2026
Mr McCORMACK (Riverina) (16:41): I am speaking on behalf of the shadow assistant treasurer, the member for Page, who is in the federal budget lock-up as I speak. I rise to speak about Treasury Laws Amendment (The Survivors Law) Bill 2026, noting it is an important piece of legislation. The coalition’s position is clear: we support […]
MATTERS OF PUBLIC IMPORTANCE – Albanese Government
Mr McCORMACK (Riverina) (15:29): At the moment, in the government, there is much more than an Agatha Christie novel going on. It’s a whodunnit: who leaked, or who misplaced, the talking points? Some are suggesting the Butler did it! But we don’t actually know. But I tell you what: it makes for very interesting reading on […]
STATEMENTS BY MEMBERS – Infrastructure
Mr McCORMACK (Riverina) (13:54): When I was the Deputy Prime Minister and minister for infrastructure—and I know the member for Gippsland held that role, too, of the minister for infrastructure—in the halcyon days of Australian democracy, we used to look forward to budget night. We used to look forward to a Treasurer coming to the dispatch […]
Freedom of Information Amendment Bill 2025
Mr McCORMACK (Riverina) (18:26): The coalition opposes this bill, but I do want to make some remarks about the contribution of the previous speaker, the member for Sturt. It was a thoughtful contribution. I respect her as a lawyer and I absolutely admire some of the points that she put across based on her experience in […]
Defence Amendment (Parliamentary Joint Committee on Defence) Bill 2025
Mr McCORMACK (Riverina) (11:46): I very much appreciate that, member for Gellibrand. Much of the member’s contribution I earnestly agree with, particularly the need for this sort of joint committee on defence. This is why this Defence Amendment Bill is so important. The proposal implements longstanding bipartisan support for Defence oversight. This particular committee was first […]
MATTERS OF PUBLIC IMPORTANCE – Regional Australia
Mr McCORMACK (Riverina) (15:56): I’m more than happy to come to the member for Lingiari’s seat any day of any week. She knows full well that, but for me, her seat would not exist. She is nodding—yes, she knows that—because I supported the Northern Territory having two seats. Capital city people don’t get that. I acknowledge […]
ADJOURNMENT – Greyhound Racing
Mr McCORMACK (Riverina) (19:40): On 29 August I went to the meeting of the Wagga Wagga and district greyhound racing club. At that particular meeting, I was impressed by the number of young families who went to the track for a night’s sport and entertainment—not only young families but a lot of young tradies. I caught […]
Environment Protection Reform Bill 2025, National Environmental Protection Agency Bill 2025, Environment Information Australia Bill 2025, Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation (Customs Charges Imposition) Bill 2025, Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation (Excise Charges Imposition) Bill 2025, Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation (General Charges Imposition) Bill 2025, Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation (Restoration Charge Imposition) Bill 2025
Mr McCORMACK (Riverina) (19:18): We’ve all attended those functions in our electorates, often on Australia Day—one of our most important national days—where we’ve gathered together and sung ‘I am Australian’, that 1987 Bruce Woodley from The Seekers and Dobe Newton from the Bushwackers hit which unites us all and makes us feel really patriotic. The second […]
CONSTITUENCY STATEMENTS – Riverina Electorate: Rural and Regional Health Services
Mr McCORMACK (Riverina) (10:42): These are constituency statements, so I want to mention five constituents: Karin Rezkalla, Grace Smith, Madeline Ingram, James Harrison and Nick Greenberg. They are students of the University of New South Wales medical school at Wagga Wagga. Last Thursday, the member for Macarthur and I opened this facility. In excess of $20 […]