While it is tempting to spend my time rebutting the member for Melbourne’s speech, I will try to resist. But I will say that in this House I have never heard so much emotional claptrap so removed from reality. The member for Melbourne thanked the people of Melbourne for putting him here for this momentous…
DetailsThis morning I rise to speak about an issue of grave concern to the people of regional Australia, in particular the people of my electorate-that is, the scandal that has been the Gillard government’s approach to funding regional Australia. Mr Deputy Speaker, you might remember just over 12 months ago, during the period of negotiation…
DetailsI too rise this afternoon to speak on the Social Security Amendment (Student Income Support Reforms) Bill 2011. While it is with some degree of satisfaction that I rise to acknowledge that this bill will correct an anomaly in delivering outcomes for regional students, it is very frustrating that it has taken two years to…
DetailsTelecommunications in 2011 should be seen as one of the basic tenets of life. It should be seen as something that is available to all Australians. Indeed a mobile phone is the first point of call for most people, and in many places people have done away with their landlines and are operating completely…
DetailsMark Coulton (Parkes, National Party) I too rise tonight to speak on the minerals resource rent tax bills. If I might start with an observation, tonight we are not hearing from members of the government. Mr Ripoll interjecting– This is my 10c worth. Are they not sufficiently encouraged by the merit of this tax to…
Details(Parkes-The Nationals Chief Whip) (22:13): As I stand here tonight, right across northern New South Wales and southern Queensland, we are seeing a massive flood. In my electorate of Parkes we have seen flood levels that we have not seen for 60 years. The cost to the local community has been enormous. Towns like Moree…
Details(Parkes-The Nationals Chief Whip) (13:35): I too rise today to speak on the Telecommunications Universal Service Management Agency Bill 2011. Despite whatever else is happening in this country at the moment, telecommunications is still the biggest issue that my constituents deal with. Only the week before last, I was speaking with the mayor and…
DetailsMr COULTON (Parkes-The Nationals Chief Whip) (17:02): I rise to speak on this matter of public importance, brought to the House by the member for Lyne. I would like to note that it is somewhat comforting as a member in this place that sometimes thrives on adversity that at times like this we all…
DetailsMr COULTON (Parkes-The Nationals Chief Whip) (11:00): I was the Mayor of Gwydir Shire Council before I came to this place, and not only were we responsible for the basics of local government-the three Rs: the roads, rates and rubbish-but also we were responsible for aged care and child care, we owned two…
DetailsMr COULTON (Parkes-The Nationals Chief Whip) (19:27): I rise to speak on the Fairer Private Health Insurance Incentives Bill 2011. I am strongly opposed to this bill. Not only will this bill be detrimental to the people that I represent in the seat of Parkes; it will be detrimental to the country as a…
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