CONDOLENCES – Richardson, Hon. Graham Frederick, AO
Mr McCORMACK (Riverina) (10:51): Fine words by the Deputy Prime Minister from another, former deputy prime minister. I love Richo. I really did, and he was so good to me. You can only take people as you find them. You can only take people as you see them, as you have experiences with them, and Graham […]
Commonwealth Parole Board Bill 2025, Commonwealth Parole Board (Consequential and Transitional Provisions) Bill 2025
Mr McCORMACK (Riverina) (17:38): The member for Sturt and the speaker who will follow me, the member for Blair, are both lawyers, and I respect that. But I cannot understand why Labor wants to outsource what should be the work of a minister—it should be the role of the Attorney-General—particularly to the member for Sturt, who […]
PRIVATE MEMBERS’ BUSINESS – Afghanistan: Human Rights, Hazara Community
Mr McCORMACK (Riverina) (19:07): At the outset, I want to commend the fine words of the member for Corangamite in bringing this motion to the parliament. I’ve heard the member for Melbourne make several very personal contributions, and each time she speaks it’s well worth listening to—likewise the member for Goldstein just now. I want to […]
PRIVATE MEMBERS’ BUSINESS – Aviation Industry
Mr McCORMACK (Riverina) (13:16): I thank the member for Mallee for bringing forward this very important motion. I just want to take the member for Gilmore up on a little point she made about Labor representing more regional electorates. I think, if you look at the actual landmass, the actual geographical size of the electorates that […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]