MATTERS OF PUBLIC IMPORTANCE;Rural and Regional Communities
We heard from the member for Hunter, ‘Here a dam, there a dam, everywhere a dam-dam.’ I heard that during the election campaign, too, and I heard it for six long, sorry years, when Labor was in government: ‘Here a damn, there a damn, everywhere a damn-damn.’
MATTERS OF PUBLIC IMPORTANCE: Economy
It is great to be part of the Turnbull-Joyce-Liberal-Nationals government—and I hear them applauding. They know how proud I am to be part of the Liberal-Nationals-Turnbull-Joyce government.
Federation Chamber: CONSTITUENCY STATEMENTS: Budget
It is a great morning in Canberra and it is certainly a great morning in the Riverina following last night’s federal budget. The Riverina’s key role in the plan for inland rail and Roads to Recovery funding has featured highly, prominently, in last night’s federal budget.
BILLS: Road Safety Remuneration Repeal Bill 2016, Road Safety Remuneration Amendment (Protecting Owner Drivers) Bill 2016, second reading
I just listened closely to the member for Bendigo for 10 minutes, and I would advise her that she should start sticking up for her electorate. She should start sticking up for the family-operated mum-and-dad truck drivers in her electorate.
BILLS: Primary Industries Levies and Charges Collection Amendment Bill 2016, second reading
It is always good to follow the member for Hinkler, the Assistant Minister to the Deputy Prime Minister. I listened closely to his contribution. I tell you what, it was a lot better than the member for Hunter’s effort earlier in this debate.
BILLS: Trade Legislation Amendment Bill (No. 1) 2016, second reading
It is my pleasure to sum up on the Trade Legislation Amendment Bill (No. 1) 2016. In doing so, I thank those who have contributed to this debate—in particular, the member for Hughes. He is always on the positive side of business and talking up the government’s agenda, innovation and the fact that we are talking about jobs and prosperity going forward.
BILLS: Telecommunications Legislation Amendment (Access Regime and NBN Companies) Bill 2015, second reading
It was interesting to hear from the member for Blaxland who gets a bit touchy on these sorts of subjects when there is nobody in the chamber. I just do not know why he does not ask questions—he certainly did not ask too many questions of Malcolm Turnbull, the member for Wentworth, when he was the communications minister—that is, Malcolm, not Jason; let’s hope that does not happen too soon.
MATTERS OF PUBLIC IMPORTANCE: Education
Labor cannot be believed when it comes to education. Labor cannot be trusted when it comes to much at all. I will take the shadow minister up on a couple of things. She talked about Labor’s funding policy. This parliament governs for a nation, this parliament governs for the Commonwealth.
BILLS: Appropriation Bill (No. 3) 2015-2016, Appropriation Bill (No. 4) 2015-2016, second reading
It is with a great degree of pride that I stand here tonight as the new Assistant Minister for Defence
PARLIAMENTARY REPRESENTATION: Valedictory
Last year, at the New South Wales conference of the National Party, Warren and I were sitting at the top table. Warren was going through his notes for the speech that he was about to deliver about regional jobs, infrastructure, the importance of water and all those things that Warren is so across—nobody is better across his brief than Warren—and without even looking at me he said to me, ‘Your wife, Catherine, obviously didn’t make it to conference.’