Private Members Motion – Tibetan Plateau

I move the motion: That this House: (1) notes that: (a) the Tibetan Plateau is: (i) the largest source of freshwater beyond the Arctic and Antarctic; (ii) a major driver of the global climate; (iii) the source of most of Asia's major rivers; and (iv) an area of great significance to the global environment; and…

90 Second Statement – 51st Battalion

In this Centenary of Anzac one battalion that deserves recognition is the 51st Battalion, Far North Queensland Regiment, which celebrated 100 years of service at the weekend with a parade down the Cairns Esplanade. The battalion was formed in Egypt in 1914, but their role has changed profoundly since then. It was in the early…

Narcotic Drugs Amendment Bill 2016

I also rise to speak on the Narcotic Drugs Amendment Bill 2016. From my perspective, it is a very significant day when medical cannabis is acknowledged as being a product that makes a real difference to people suffering from chronic conditions or terminal disease. It will mean that patients and their family members will no…

Final Report of JSCNA Aquaculture Inquiry

On behalf of the Joint Select Committee on Northern Australia, I present the committee's report entitled Scaling up: inquiry into opportunities for expanding aquaculture in northern Australia, together with the minutes of proceedings. Scaling up is the report of an in-depth investigation into the aquaculture industry in Northern Australia following on from the committee's earlier…

Appropriations Bills 2015-16

I welcome the opportunity to speak on the Appropriation Bill (No. 3) 2015-2016 and cognate bill. These bills seek authority from the parliament for the additional expenditure of money from the Consolidated Revenue Fund for this financial year. The total of the appropriations being sought through these two bills is just over $2.2 billion. The…

90 Second Statement – Freedom Prosthetics

This Friday I am looking forward to opening a new business in Cairns: Freedom Prosthetics. Co-founder Neil Greening is an amputee himself and knows firsthand the trials and tribulations of losing a limb, which has made him passionate and dedicated about providing an excellent service to the amputee community. The prosthetist, Jerry Vella, holds a…

3 Minute Constituency Statement – Transgender Day of Remembrance

On Friday, 20 November, people around the world stopped to commemorate the 16th annual Transgender Day of Remembrance. In more than 20 countries, people remembered those who have died as a result of anti-transgender hatred and prejudice. In Sydney people gathered at an event organised by the Gender Centre, while in Brisbane the Story Bridge…

Australian Citizenship Amendment (Allegiance to Australia) Bill 2015

On 29 October I attended a citizenship ceremony hosted by Cairns Regional Council, where 83 people officially received their Australian citizenship. As someone who, like many others, takes their own citizenship as a given, it was an inspiring experience. From all around the world the new migrants came—a total of 20 countries—from Argentina to the…