MATTERS OF PUBLIC IMPORTANCE – Budget
Mr McCORMACK (Riverina) (15:35): Back in 1976, AC/DC, one of my favourite bands, released a song called ‘Dirty Deeds Done Dirt Cheap’. Today, in the Senate, we saw a sequel to ‘Dirty Deeds Done Dirt Cheap’ when Labor sided with the Greens, their old friends. As much as Labor try to deny that they are best […]
BILLS – Combatting Illicit Tobacco Bill 2026
Mr McCORMACK (Riverina) (12:25): Too little, too late. But, with so many of the policies brought forward by this Albanese Labor government, it is all too often too little, too late. The Combating Illicit Tobacco Bill 2026 is another sad example of that, and I feel sorry for those authorities whose job it is these days […]
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 […]
Veterans’ Affairs Legislation Amendment (Miscellaneous Measures No. 2) Bill 2025
Mr McCORMACK (Riverina) (11:38): When addressing the graduating class of the Australian Defence Force Academy last year, Governor-General Sam Mostyn AC said: You have prepared yourselves to live ADFA’s motto: to lead, to excel. You have learned to be leaders who will work for peace and stability, who will make ethical and helpful decisions, who will […]
PRIVATE MEMBERS’ BUSINESS – Defence Procurement: Submarines
Mr McCORMACK (Riverina) (18:39): I find myself in furious agreement with the member for Spence, and, when I finish my remarks, the member for Spence—if he’s still here—and the member for Adelaide should absolutely applaud. I’ll tell you who else should be applauding, and that’s Tom Koutsantonis, the Treasurer of South Australia, because, but for the […]
Treasury Laws Amendment (Genetic Testing Protections in Life Insurance and Other Measures) Bill 2025
Mr McCORMACK (Riverina) (12:48): The Treasury Laws Amendment (Genetic Testing Protections in Life Insurance and Other Measures) Bill 2025 is an important piece of legislation. It truly is. What I do question is why it has taken this long to be brought before the House. The coalition, as is often the case, had to drag Labor […]
MATTERS OF PUBLIC IMPORTANCE – Fuel Security
Mr McCORMACK (Riverina) (15:57): Today’s matter of public importance debate is about the government’s failure on fuel prices and fuel distribution, moved by the member for Wannon, the Manager of Opposition Business. He comes from a regional electorate and he would, as I have and as many other regional members should, talk to his farmers, talk […]