Milton Dick
Oxley · SPK · Australia
“The period from when the 44th Parliament was prorogued on 9 May 2016 to the commencement of the 45th Parliament on 30 August 2016 is not included in the response period. The period from when the 45th Parliament was prorogued on 11 April 2019 to the commencement of the 46th Parliament on 2 July 2019 is not included in the response period.”
“Government responses received during the period are included in the schedule and the report it relates to is then removed from subsequent schedules. The timeframe for government responses to committee reports in this schedule is determined by the resolution adopted by the House on 29 September 2010.”
“However, the current intent of this schedule is to provide an update to the House solely on the status of government responses to committee reports containing recommendations to government.”
“I'm pleased to inform the House that present in the gallery today are students from Barker College who are visiting as part of a work experience trip, as guests of the member for Berowra.”
“For the information of honourable members, I present a schedule of the status of government responses to committee reports as of 30 June 2026. The schedule will be incorporated in Hansard .”
“In the case of joint committees, the date shown is the date of first presentation to either the House or the Senate or to the President or Speaker (if presented earlier out of session). Reports published when the House (or Houses) are not sitting are tabled at a later date.”
The complete record
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“( Higher Education Support Amendment (Fair Study and Opportunity) Bill 2025 ) (Notice given 29 July 2025.) Presenter may speak to the second reading for a period not exceeding 10 minutes pursuant to standing order 41. Debate must be adjourned pursuant to standing order 142.”
“( Social Security and Other Legislation Amendment (Responding to Robodebt) Bill 2025 ) (Notice given 29 July 2025.) Presenter may speak to the second reading for a period not exceeding 10 minutes pursuant to standing order 41. Debate must be adjourned pursuant to standing order 142. 2 MS STEGGALL: To present a Bill for an Act to establish a national climate change adaptation framework, and for related purposes. ( Climate Change (National Framework for Adaptation) Bill 2025 ) (Notice given 29 July 2025.) Presenter may speak to the second reading for a period not exceeding 10 minutes pursuant to standing order 41. Debate must be adjourned pursuant to standing order 142. 3 MS LE: To present a Bill for an Act to amend the Higher Education Support Act 2003 , and for related purposes.”
“The Committee decided to amend the order of precedence and times to be allotted for consideration of committee and delegation business and private Members' business on Monday, 25 August 2025, as follows, with amended entries marked with *: Items for House of Representatives Chamber (10.10 am to 12 noon) PRIVATE MEMBERS' BUSINESS Orders of the day * 1 REPEAL NET ZERO BILL 2025 ( Mr Joyce ): Second reading—Resumption of debate ( from 28 July 2025 ). Time allotted 20 minutes. Speech time limits Mr Joyce 5 minutes. Other Members 5 minutes each. [Minimum number of proposed Members speaking = 4 x 5 mins] The Committee determined that consideration of this matter should continue on a future day. Notices 1 MR WILKIE: To present a Bill for an Act to amend the law relating to social security, and for related purposes.”
“I present the revised report of the Selection Committee relating to the consideration of committee and delegation business and private members' business on Monday 25 August 2025. The report will be printed in today's Hansar d . Copies of the report have been placed on the table. The report read as follows— Report relating to the consideration of committee and delegation business and of private Members' business 1. The Committee met in private session on Thursday, 31 July 2025. 2.”
“I have received a message from the Senate informing the House that Senator Walker has been discharged from the Joint Standing Committee on Northern Australia and Senator Whiteaker has been appointed a member of the committee, and that Senator Brown and Senator Polley have been appointed as members of the Parliamentary Joint Committee on Parliamentary Standards.”
“I've received a letter from the honourable member for Bradfield proposing that a definite matter of public importance be submitted to the House for discussion, namely: The need for new and creative solutions to address the housing crisis. I call upon those honourable members who approve of the proposed discussion to rise in their places. More than the number of members required by the standing orders having risen in their places—”
“I thank the Manager of Opposition Business for the question. A number of members have raised similar concerns with me. The normal procedures and processes will be followed, which will be a report given to me by the Serjeant-at-Arms regarding the incident, and I will report back to the—”
“I'm pleased to advice the House that in the gallery today is Councillor Rick Firman, Councillor Russell Webb and Councillor Russell Fitzpatrick, mayors from Temora, Tamworth and Bega Valley, and also I've been advised that the Hon. Nick Greiner AC, who served as the 37th premier of New South Wales from 1988 to 1992, is in the chamber. Welcome to you all. Honourable members: Hear, hear!”
“I'm pleased to inform the House that, today, we are joined by Chairman Kim Jin-pyo, the Special Envoy representing the President of the Republic of Korea and the former Speaker of Korea's National Assembly and his distinguished delegation. On behalf of all members, I wish you a very warm welcome to Australia and, particularly, to the House of Representatives. Honourable members: Hear, hear!”
“I'd like to inform the House that present in the gallery today is a group of Australian Olympians and their families, commemorating the 45th anniversary of the 1980 Moscow Olympics Australian team. On behalf of the House, I extend a very warm welcome to you all. Honourable members: Hear, hear!”
“(Notice given 29 July 2025.) Time allotted remaining private Members' business time prior to 7.30 pm. Speech time limits Mr Wood 5 minutes. Other Members 5 minutes each. [Minimum number of proposed Members speaking = 9 x 5 mins] The Committee determined that consideration of this matter should continue on a future day. THE HON D. M. DICK MP Speaker of the House of Representatives 30 July 2025”
“[Minimum number of proposed Members speaking = 8 x 5 mins] The Committee determined that consideration of this matter should continue on a future day. 9 MR WOOD: To move: That this House: (1) acknowledges the establishment and ongoing implementation of the Pacific Australia Labour Mobility (PALM) scheme, a significant bipartisan initiative designed to address chronic workforce shortages in regional and rural Australia; (2) recognises the role of the former Government in consolidating the Seasonal Worker Programme and Pacific Labour Scheme into the unified PALM scheme in 2021, streamlining Pacific labour mobility and enhancing regional cooperation; (3) notes that the PALM scheme provides a vital workforce for Australian farmers, growers, food processors, and regional businesses, particularly in horticulture, meat processing and essential services—sectors that face ongoing labour constraints; (4) further recognises the mutual benefits of the PALM scheme, delivering reliable employment and remittance opportunities to workers from nine Pacific Island nations and Timor-Leste, while strengthening Australia's diplomatic, economic, and cultural ties with our Pacific family; and (5) affirms Australia's responsibility as a regional partner, upholding its moral and regional leadership responsibility as a trusted partner in Pacific development.”
“8 MS COFFEY: To move: That this House notes that: (1) to meet growing need, the Government is putting mental health at the heart of Medicare and services at the centre of communities; (2) the Government is rolling out a national network of 91 Medicare Mental Health Centres, which offer free walk-in mental health support and care from clinical and non-clinical staff, without the need for an appointment, referral, or mental health treatment plan; and (3) the Government is delivering services, closer to home, across the whole of the lifespan by opening new Perinatal Mental Health Centres, Medicare Mental Health Kids Hubs, headspace centres, and Medicare Mental Health Centres. (Notice given 29 July 2025.) Time allotted 40 minutes. Speech time limits Ms Coffey 5 minutes. Other Members 5 minutes each.”
“(Notice given 23 July 2025.) Time allotted 40 minutes. Speech time limits Ms Price 5 minutes. Other Members 5 minutes each. [Minimum number of proposed Members speaking = 8 x 5 mins] The Committee determined that consideration of this matter should continue on a future day.”
“[Minimum number of proposed Members speaking = 8 x 5 mins] The Committee determined that consideration of this matter should continue on a future day. 7 MS PRICE: To move: That this House: (1) notes: (a) that 1 July 2025 marks seven years since the official establishment of the Australian Space Agency; (b) the former Government committed more than $2 billion towards the civil space sector after the Agency's establishment, as part of our goal to triple the domestic sector to $12 billion and to create an extra 20,000 jobs by 2030; and (c) the current Government's significant cuts to Australia's space sector, including: (i) $1.2 billion from the National Space Mission for Earth Observation; (ii) $59.7 million from the Technology into Orbit program and the space flight tickets subprograms; (iii) $18 million from the Moon to Mars global supply chain facilitation; and (iv) $32.3 million slated for co-investment in space ports and launch sites; and (2) calls on the Government to reprioritise Australia's space sector, including investing in our sovereign capability.”
“Items for Federation Chamber (4.45 pm to 7.30 pm) PRIVATE MEMBERS' BUSINESS Notices — continued 6 MS PAYNE: To move: That this House: (1) acknowledges the Government's commitment to strengthening the paid parental leave system; (2) notes that on 1 July 2025: (a) the Government's paid parental leave increased by two weeks, from 22 weeks to 24 weeks; and (b) superannuation was added to Government paid parental leave meaning taking paid parental leave will not mean missing out on superannuation; and (3) welcomes the Government delivering the better future Australians voted for. (Notice given 23 July 2025.) Time allotted 40 minutes. Speech time limits Ms Payne 5 minutes. Other Members 5 minutes each.”
“Time allotted remaining private Members' business time prior to 1.30 pm. Speech time limits Mr T Wilson 5 minutes. Other Members 5 minutes each. [Minimum number of proposed Members speaking = 4 x 5 mins] The Committee determined that consideration of this matter should continue on a future day.”
“[Minimum number of proposed Members speaking = 3 x 5 mins] The Committee determined that consideration of this matter should continue on a future day. Orders of the day 1 SMALL BUSINESS: Resumption of debate ( from 28 July 2025 ) on the motion of Mr T Wilson—That this House: (1) acknowledges 2.5 million small businesses have been abandoned by the Government; (2) notes the Government has: (a) achieved a record number of small business insolvencies this financial year; (b) done nothing to create an environment for small businesses to thrive; and (c) made it more difficult than ever to do business in Australia; and (3) calls on the Government to prioritise the problems facing small businesses by: (a) removing excessive regulation it insists on applying to small business; (b) scrapping its plans to impose a family savings tax on unrealised capital gains; and (c) backing small business to make it easier to employ Australians.”
“Other Members 5 minutes each. [Minimum number of proposed Members speaking = 8 x 5 mins] The Committee determined that consideration of this matter should continue on a future day. 5 MR LEESER: To move: That this House: (1) acknowledges the passing of John Owen Stone AO on 17 July 2025; (2) notes his extensive contribution to public life, including his service as Secretary to the Treasury, and as a Senator for Queensland; (3) recognises his role in shaping policy and contributing to the national debate on issues from national economic policy and industrial relations to federalism; and (4) extends its sincere condolences to his family and pays tribute to his lifelong dedication to the Australian people. (Notice given 29 July 2025.) Time allotted 15 minutes. Speech time limits Mr Leeser 5 minutes. Other Members 5 minutes each.”
“(Notice given 22 July 2025.) Time allotted 15 minutes. Speech time limits Ms Watson-Brown 5 minutes. Other Members 5 minutes each. [Minimum number of proposed Members speaking = 3 x 5 mins] The Committee determined that consideration of this matter should continue on a future day. 4 DR GARLAND: To move: That this House: (1) acknowledges the Government's number one priority is helping Australians with the cost of living; (2) notes that on 1 July 2025, the following measures started rolling out: (a) more energy bill relief for every household with $150 off energy bills; and (b) a 30 per cent discount to home batteries to permanently cut power bills; and (3) welcomes the Government delivering the better future Australians voted for. (Notice given 23 July 2025.) Time allotted 40 minutes. Speech time limits Dr Garland 5 minutes.”
“[Minimum number of proposed Members speaking = 8 x 5 mins] The Committee determined that consideration of this matter should continue on a future day. 3 MS WATSON-BROWN: To move: That this House: (1) notes that: (a) during the 2025 federal election, the then Leader of the Opposition, promised to approve Woodside's North West Shelf gas project in Western Australia within 30 days, and the Government approved it within 15 days of being sworn in; (b) the North West Shelf gas project is estimated to produce annual emissions totalling more than all of Australia's existing coal-fired power plants combined; and (c) the Government has accepted more than $1 million in donations from Woodside since 2014, making them the tenth largest donor over the last decade; and (2) calls on the Government to: (a) cancel the draft approval for Woodside's North West Shelf gas project; (b) implement a moratorium on new coal and gas projects; and (c) commit to addressing corporate influence over our political system.”
“2 MS JARRETT: To move: That this House: (1) acknowledges the Government's commitment to driving economic equality for Australian women, from closing the gender pay gap and lifting wages for women, to investing in women's health and expanding paid parental leave; (2) notes that on 1 July 2025 women in Australia benefited from key changes delivered by the Government, including: (a) expanding paid parental leave to 24 weeks and paying superannuation on it; (b) lifting the minimum wage by 3.5 per cent; and (c) commencing the Commonwealth Prac Payment scheme for teaching, nursing, midwifery and social work students; and (3) welcomes the Government continuing to deliver a better future for Australian women. (Notice given 29 July 2025.) Time allotted 40 minutes. Speech time limits Ms Jarrett 5 minutes. Other Members 5 minutes each.”
“(Notice given 23 July 2025.) Time allotted 20 minutes. Speech time limits Ms Bell 5 minutes. Other Members 5 minutes each. [Minimum number of proposed Members speaking = 4 x 5 mins] The Committee determined that consideration of this matter should continue on a future day.”
“Items for Federation Chamber (11 am to 1.30 pm) PRIVATE MEMBERS' BUSINESS Notices 1 MS BELL: To move: That this House: (1) notes that: (a) the Government's environment credentials are all washed up; (b) after refusing to even meet with scientists regarding the spread of toxic algal bloom in South Australia for over 18 months, the Minister for the Environment and Water has made a last minute dash in a desperate attempt to avoid scrutiny over the Government's lack of leadership on the matter; and (c) from recycling to Indigenous cultural heritage and environment protection and biodiversity conservation, the Government has failed to deliver on any of its major promises; and (2) calls on the Minister representing the Minister for the Environment and Water to attend the chamber to explain the Government's failures on the environment.”
“(Notice given 29 July 2025.) Time allotted remaining private Members' business time prior to 12 noon. Speech time limits Mr Abdo 5 minutes. Other Members 5 minutes each. [Minimum number of proposed Members speaking = 8 x 5 mins] The Committee determined that consideration of this matter should continue on a future day.”
“5 MR ABDO: To move: That this House: (1) notes that: (a) during National Skills Week, we recognise the importance of Australia's vocational education and training (VET) sector; (b) there have been more than 650,000 enrolments in the Government's Free TAFE program; and (c) there have been more than 170,000 Free TAFE courses completed by Australians; (2) commends the Government's successful passage of the Free TAFE Bill 2024, supporting quality training and putting TAFE back at the heart of the VET sector; (3) recognises Free TAFE is helping Australians to get skills in in-demand areas like housing construction, nursing and aged care, giving Australians the skills they want, in sectors we need; and (4) supports the Government as it continues to invest in the Australian people by prioritising training initiatives like Free TAFE.”
“(Notice given 23 July 2025.) Time allotted 40 minutes. Speech time limits Mr Thompson 5 minutes. Other Members 5 minutes each. [Minimum number of proposed Members speaking = 8 x 5 mins] The Committee determined that consideration of this matter should continue on a future day.”
“4 MR THOMPSON: To move: That this House: (1) notes: (a) National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) providers and participants will be significantly impacted and hold grave concern regarding changes to the transport allowance arrangements that have been announced in the recent annual price review, at very short notice without consultation by the Government; and (b) the feasibility for NDIS providers and participants to make the necessary adjustments to service delivery arrangements in such a short time period is not achievable and will be at the detriment of the participant; (2) condemns the Government for failing to consult with the NDIS sector and failing to understand the needs of participants and providers; and (3) calls on the Government to: (a) defer these changes for at least three months to allow for consultation and planning around the changes to service delivery that may result from these changes; and (b) explain how it expects community-based service providers in particular to adapt to these new pricing arrangements.”
“2 MS STEGGALL: To present a Bill for an Act to establish a national climate change adaptation framework, and for related purposes. ( Climate Change (National Framework for Adaptation) Bill 2025 ) (Notice given 29 July 2025.) Presenter may speak to the second reading for a period not exceeding 10 minutes pursuant to standing order 41. Debate must be adjourned pursuant to standing order 142. 3 MS LE: To present a Bill for an Act to amend the Higher Education Support Act 2003 , and for related purposes. ( Higher Education Support Amendment (Fair Study and Opportunity) Bill 2025 ) (Notice given 29 July 2025.) Presenter may speak to the second reading for a period not exceeding 10 minutes pursuant to standing order 41. Debate must be adjourned pursuant to standing order 142.”
“The Committee deliberated on items of committee and delegation business that had been notified, private Members' business items listed on the Notice Paper and notices lodged on Tuesday, 29 July 2025, and determined the order of precedence and times on Monday, 25 August 2025, as follows: Items for House of Representatives Chamber (10.10 am to 12 noon) PRIVATE MEMBERS' BUSINESS Notices 1 MR WILKIE: To present a Bill for an Act to amend the law relating to social security, and for related purposes. ( Social Security and Other Legislation Amendment (Responding to Robodebt) Bill 2025 ) (Notice given 29 July 2025.) Presenter may speak to the second reading for a period not exceeding 10 minutes pursuant to standing order 41. Debate must be adjourned pursuant to standing order 142.”
“I present report No. 1 of the Selection Committee relating to the consideration of committee and delegation business and private members' business on Monday 25 August 2025. The report will be printed in the Hansard for today, and the committee's determinations will appear in tomorrow's Notice Paper . Copies of the report have been placed on the table. The report read as follows— Report relating to the consideration of committee and delegation business and of private Members' business 1. The Committee met in private session on Tuesday, 29 July 2025. 2.”
“I have received a letter from the honourable member for Page proposing that a definite matter of public importance be submitted to the House for discussion, namely: This Government's continued neglect of regional Australia. I call upon those honourable members who approve of the proposed discussion to rise in their places. More than the number of members required by the standing orders having risen in their places—”
“I am pleased to inform the House that present in the gallery today are students participating in Regional Development Australia Central West's TEN4TEN Leadership Dialogue who are being hosted by the honourable member for Calare. I'm also advised that present in the gallery today is Mr Jason Falinski, the former member for Mackellar. Welcome back to question time. Honourable members: Hear, hear!”
“I have received messages from the Senate informing the House of the appointment of senators to certain joint committees. As the list of appointments is a lengthy one, I do not propose to read the list. Details will be recorded in the Votes and Proceedings.”
“And, finally, I'd like to thank and acknowledge Dr Jane Thomson from the Department of the Senate, who served as delegation secretary. I commend the report to the House.”
“The delegation also appreciated the assistance and support of the International and Parliamentary Relations Office. I also give my thanks to Senator O'Neill for leading the delegation with professionalism and expertise. Finally, I'd like to acknowledge the contribution of former senator the Hon. Linda Reynolds CSC, whose work on orphanage trafficking at the IPU culminated in a groundbreaking resolution on the subject in 2023. The resolution was adopted by the IPU member parliaments by consensus, marking the first global action on orphanage trafficking. Senator Reynolds has also attended six assemblies from 2022 and was the 49th woman parliamentarian to serve as an Australian delegate since the Australian parliament joined the IPU in 1956. I thank her for the service.”
“As part of an orphanage trafficking plan, Senator Reynolds participated in a podcast, has written opinion pieces and facilitated discussions at the 150th assembly on implementing the 2023 IPU resolution on orphanage trafficking. Senator O'Neill has also served as president of the bureau on the Standing Committee on Democracy and Human Rights, responsible for presiding over committee meetings and debates, and reporting to the assembly on the committee's activities. On behalf of the Australian delegation, I want to thank those who supported our delegates at the 150th IPU assembly. I give thanks to the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade in Canberra and the Parliamentary Library for providing detailed background information to the delegation.”
“Firstly, I give thanks to Senator O'Neill for representing Australia at the IPU Executive Committee and for serving, on my behalf, as the chairperson of the Sub-Committee on Finance. Senator O'Neill presented a proposal for a future resolution on tax avoidance, which was accepted by the standing committee on sustainable development. The topic will be debated at the next assembly, in October this year, and advanced as a resolution for endorsement at the 156th assembly in early 2026. Senator Reynolds has continued to advance her work on orphanage trafficking while also serving on the bureau of the Forum of Women Parliamentarians.”
“As part of my commitment to the civics education program Parliament in Schools, as well as to the National Youth Parliament, I've moderated an IPU webinar entitled 'Engaging young people to improve democracy: how can political leaders in power provide young people with the opportunities to have their say'. The webinar has brought together parliamentarians and civil society leaders to discuss practical steps to empower young people in democratic processes. Next year the Australian parliament will celebrate 70 years of membership with the IPU. While I'll have more to say about that milestone later, Australia has a significant track record over its decades of IPU engagement. The 150th assembly in Tashkent was no different, as our delegates represented the parliament with distinction.”
“I'm pleased to present the report of the Australian parliamentary delegation to the 150th Inter-Parliamentary Union Assembly, held in Tashkent, Uzbekistan, from 5 to 9 April 2025. Following the prorogation of the 47th Parliament and dissolution of the House of Representatives on 28 March, my House colleagues and I were not able to attend the 150th assembly. However, the Australian delegation to the IPU was expertly led by Senator Deborah O'Neill and accompanied by the former senator, the Hon. Linda Reynolds CSC. The Australian delegation focused its engagement with the IPU on the twice-yearly assemblies; however, it is not possible always to participate, and online events have been a normal occurrence.”
“I draw the attention of honourable members the presence in the gallery of a parliamentary delegation of the justice, law and human rights committee of the Parliament of Fiji, and I note in the southern gallery today we're also joined by Mrs Louise Markus, the former member for Macquarie and Greenway. Welcome to parliament.”
“I inform the House that today we are joined in the distinguished visitors gallery by the Hon. Johnny Koanapo Rasou, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Finance and Economic Management of Vanuatu. On behalf of all members, I wish you a warm welcome to Australia and, in particular, to the House of Representatives. Honourable members: Hear, hear!”
“I inform the House of the deaths of the Hon. Dr Charles Race Thorson Mathews, a former member of this house, and Dr Alan Eggleston AM, a former senator. The Hon. Dr Race Mathews died on 5 May 2025. He represented the division of Casey from 1972 to 1975. Dr Alan Eggleston died on 13 May 2025. He represented the state of Western Australia from 1996 to 2014. As a mark of respect to the memory of the deceased I invite all present to rise in their places. Honourable members having stood in their places— I thank the House.”
“( Notice given 4 February 2025. ) Time allotted 30 minutes. Speech time limits Mr Birrell 5 minutes. Other Members 5 minutes each. [Minimum number of proposed Members speaking = 6 x 5 mins] The Committee determined that consideration of this matter should continue on a future day. Orders of the day—continued TAXING BILLIONAIRES AND BIG CORPORATIONS: Resumption of debate on the motion of Ms Watson-Brown—That this House: (1) notes that billionaires and big corporations have too much power over our democracy; and (2) calls on the Government to tax billionaires and big corporations to fund the cost of living relief that Australians need, including: (a) covering dental and mental health under Medicare; (b) making sure everyone can see the GP for free; (c) building housing people can actually afford; and (d) wiping student debt.”
“9 MR BIRRELL: To move—That this House: (1) condemns the Government for failing to address the critical issue of classroom disruption in Australian schools which is severely impacting the learning outcomes of Australian students as well as forcing teachers to leave the profession in droves; and (2) notes: (a) that despite the escalating levels of classroom disruption and even violence in many classrooms, the Government has failed to respond to the Senate inquiry report by the Education and Employment Reference Committee into the issue of increasing disruption in Australian school classrooms; (b) the declining ranking of Australia in the Organisation for Economic .Co-operation and Development (OECD) disciplinary climate index, making Australian classrooms amongst the world's most disorderly; (c) the impacts, demands and experience of disorderly classrooms on teacher safety, work satisfaction and workforce retention; (d) the impact of disorderly, poorly disciplined classroom environments and school practices on students' learning, compared with their peers in more disciplined classrooms; and (e) how leading OECD countries with the highest disciplinary climate index rankings can provide valuable lessons on reducing distraction and disorder in Australian classrooms.”
“Speech time limits Ms J Ryan 5 minutes. Other Members 5 minutes each. [Minimum number of proposed Members speaking = 8 x 5 mins] The Committee determined that consideration of this matter should continue on a future day.”
“( Notice given 4 February 2025. ) Time allotted 25 minutes. Speech time limits Dr Webster 5 minutes. Other Members 5 minutes each. [Minimum number of proposed Members speaking = 5 x 5 mins] The Committee determined that consideration of this matter should continue on a future day. 8 MS J RYAN: To move—That this House: (1) notes that the Government is delivering: (a) cheaper child care and boosting wages for early childhood educators; (b) record needs-based funding for schools across the country; (c) free TAFE; (d) more opportunities for more Australians from the outer-suburbs and the bush to go to university; and (e) student debt relief; and (2) acknowledges that investing in the education and skills of young Australians is a key component of building Australia's future. ( Notice given 4 February 2025. ) Time allotted 40 minutes.”
“7 DR WEBSTER: To move—That this House: (1) notes that bushfires have ravaged the Grampians National Park and associated tourist destinations including Halls Gap, Pomonal and Dunkeld in February 2024 and over Christmas 2024, the latter being a critical annual income period for small businesses in the region; (2) acknowledges that to protect lives and property, access to towns and tourist sites like Halls Gap was closed in some cases for weeks, depriving them of tourist visitors; (3) further notes that: (a) businesses have expressed concern that they have been unable to afford, or even access, insurance against bushfire risk notwithstanding that in Halls Gap's case, the town has never itself been struck by bushfire; (b) the region was struck again over the 2025 Australia Day public holiday weekend with further fires in the Little Desert National Park at times threatening Dimboola, which led to further park closures and tourists deterred from remaining in the region; and (c) fires that started over the 2025 Australia Day public holiday weekend have continued to burn in the southern part of the Grampians National Park into February 2025; (4) commends the bravery, commitment and selflessness of Country Fire Authority services and volunteers, farmers, landholders and community members to protect life and property, fighting and containing the fires; and (5) calls upon: (a) all levels of Government to prioritise opening and maintaining access to as much of the Grampians as possible to maximise the social and economic health of the region; (b) State Governments to: (i) provide maximum transparency on the bushfire mitigation efforts they undertake, to assist insurers in determining reasonable insurance premiums; and (ii) fast-track their processes for seeking Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangement assistance from the Commonwealth including Category D support for small businesses affected by fire disaster related closures; (c) the Commonwealth Government to take immediate steps to ensure bushfire insurance is affordable and accessible; and (d) the Commonwealth and Victorian State Governments to implement a marketing strategy to encourage all Australians to consider travelling to the Grampians as soon as possible to support an internationally renowned attraction and the communities that depend on tourism for their survival.”
“( Notice given 4 February 2025. ) Time allotted 35 minutes. Speech time limits Mr Repacholi 5 minutes. Other Members 5 minutes each. [Minimum number of proposed Members speaking = 7 x 5 mins] The Committee determined that consideration of this matter should continue on a future day.”
“Notices—continued 6 MR REPACHOLI: To move—That this House: (1) notes that the Government has been delivering for Australian farmers and producers, helping our nearly $100 billion agriculture, fisheries and forestry sectors continue to grow; (2) acknowledges the Government has: (a) recorded 169 market access achievements since July 2022, including: (i) 22 new markets opened; (ii) 66 improvements to reduce cost or requirements to export; (iii) 72 achievements to maintain access in the face of threats to trade; and (iv) nine achievements to restore access that was previously lost; and (b) invested over $1 billion to ensure our biosecurity system is sustainable long term, ensuring our world-class system stays that way; (3) further notes the dire state that our agriculture workforce was in under the previous Government, and acknowledges the work the Government has done to fix these issues, including: (a) establishing the tripartite Agricultural Workforce Working Group and starting up the Agriculture Labour Taskforce; and (b) working with stakeholders to deliver a Pacific Australia Labour Mobility scheme that is beneficial and safe for workers, which has grown from around 8,000 workers in March 2020 to over 27,000 at the end of 2024; and (4) notes the Opposition's inaction on climate change reduced farm profitability, and acknowledges that the Government is investing in a sustainable agriculture sector by: (a) delivering the first ever joint Agriculture Ministers' Statement on Climate Change; (b) developing the first Agriculture and Land Sector Plan to chart the path for the industry to actively contribute to net-zero by 2050; (c) investing $1.1 billion in the current round of the Natural Heritage Trust, including $302.1 million in climate-smart agriculture programs; (d) investing $63.8 million to support the sector to act on climate and reduce emissions; (e) committing $519.1 million over the next four years from the Future Drought Fund to ensure programs promote long-term drought and climate resilience; and (f) ensuring our forestry industry remains sustainable, expanding our plantation estate and continuing support for our native forestry sector, in addition to supporting innovation and advanced manufacturing for wood products.”