An update on the World Heritage Listing of the Great Barrier Reef

**Watch this speech on YouTube** Mr ENTSCH: My question is to the outstanding Minister for the Environment. Will the minister update the House on the World Heritage listing— Opposition members interjecting— Mr ENTSCH: Can I ask that question again, Madam Speaker? The SPEAKER: There will be silence—and that includes the member for Chifley. The member…

Adjournment – Bowel Cancer Awareness Month

**Watch this speech on YouTube** I rise this evening to take the opportunity to highlight that next month is Bowel Cancer Awareness Month. This annual initiative, running through the month of June, aims to raise public awareness of a disease that claims the lives of 77 Australians every week.  Bowel cancer is the second most common type…

90 second statement – Cairns Hockey Association

**Watch the speech on YouTube** On 23 May Cairns Hockey Association celebrated the installation and opening of their new $400,000 artificial turf. The celebration included a march past by junior players and welcome to country ceremony.  I officially cut the ribbon. The cutting of the ribbon involved my beautiful eight year old daughter, Mackenzie Lee…

Australia 2040 forum

I'm pleased to be here today representing The Hon Andrew Robb, Minister for Trade and Investment. Unfortunately Minister Robb is currently in Singapore for meetings with Singaporean government counterparts and senior investors. First, I'd like to offer my congratulations on celebrating the 25th anniversary of the launch of the Cooperative Research Centre's program. I'd like…

World Tuberculosis Day 2015

**Watch Warren's speech on YouTube** First of all, I would like to commend the member for Ryan for her ongoing advocacy on this issue. World TB Day aims to build public awareness that tuberculosis remains an epidemic in much of the world, causing the deaths of nearly 1.5 million people each year, mostly in developing…

Tibet Advocacy Day

**Watch Warren's speech on YouTube** On Monday this week the Australian All-Party Parliamentary Group for Tibet held an event in the parliament for Tibet Advocacy Day. The AAPGT is a bipartisan group whose purpose is to amplify Tibet's voice in parliament through events such as Tibet Advocacy Day. This year's event had a special focus…

Adjournment – Dredging and Great Barrier Reef

In this adjournment this evening, I would like to welcome the environment minister's announcement this week that there will be zero capital disposal anywhere in the entire Great Barrier Reef Marine Park. The ban will be put into law through regulation and will apply to all applications for capital dredge disposal in the marine park,…

Appropriations Bills

In rising to speak this evening on Appropriation Bill (No. 3) 2014-15 and related bills, I would like to take the opportunity to add my voice to the conversation about fairness that we, as a country, must have and that must be heard at the highest levels and seep into the consciousness of every man…

Private Members Motion – Northern Australia

It certainly gives me pleasure to rise and stand in support of the member for Herbert's outstanding motion in confirming the government's commitment to the delivery of the white paper on the development of Northern Australia. There have been proposals on this since 1935, and a whole lot of opportunities that have been squandered in…