On Australia Day this year, 16,000 new citizens from over 130 countries were welcomed as part of the expanding Australian family. It is also a day, of course, when we recognise particular individuals for their energy, their creativity and the … Continue reading →

One of the more extraordinary days that I have seen in the federal parliament was Monday this week when both the Prime Minister and the Leader of the Opposition joined in offering an apology to half a million Australians who … Continue reading →

I want to put on the record and call attention to an event which took place on Saturday, 10 October this year. On that day, the governments of Armenia and Turkey reached agreement about future diplomatic relations. The two governments … Continue reading →

Good morning everybody. Firstly I also acknowledge the traditional Aboriginal owners of the land on which we meet today and I pay my respects to their elders past and present. May I also acknowledge Mr Byung Il Kim the President … Continue reading →

Good morning ladies and gentlemen and thank you for the invitation to talk with you – it’s always a pleasure. The last time I joined you for breakfast I brought the Prime Minister along. As the Government’s stimulus has been … Continue reading →

Good evening everyone. How are you? Can I first acknowledge the Gadigal people of the Eora nation and pay my respects to their elders past and present. It’s very nice to be here in the federal electorate of Sydney. Of … Continue reading →

Last Saturday evening I discovered what Foxtel’s Kim Williams, RMIT Vice-Chancellor Margaret Gardner and Victorian opera supremo Richard Gill all have in common. It turns out this talented trio are all graduates of Marsden High School in my electorate of … Continue reading →

I share the sunny optimism of the member for McMillan. In fact, I rise today to speak about confidence and the confidence that I think you can feel right across the country—in cities, in regions and in my own community … Continue reading →

I rise today to speak about an important week in the House, and perhaps not for the reason that many members would imagine. This in fact is the week when we see the Australian Council of Local Government meet for … Continue reading →

There are millions of words spoken in this House every day, but today I want to put on the record the words of a 10-year-old girl called Matilda Rose Carnegie. Matilda Rose attends St Catherine’s School in Waverley in Sydney … Continue reading →