2007 Speeches Archive

Campaign Launch Speech - 4 October 2007
For me, tonight is a special occasion - the launch of my third campaign as Labor's candidate to represent Newcastle in the federal parliament. But for all of us here who contemplate the future and image something better under a Rudd Labor government, it's a very special occasion indeed. It's a night for reflection - looking back. And a night for hope - looking forward. 

Collapse of Estate Property Group - 20 September 2007
I am sure it is not beyond the wit of the Government to look at how we can stop these collapses, and how we can better protect investors and subcontractors. I hope to be part of a Government that does that. 

Review of Reserve Bank Annual Report - 19 September 2007
The hearing with Governor Stevens took place at a very interesting economic time, following as it did the Reserve Bank's decision in August to increase the cash rate by 25 basis points to 6.5 percent - the fifth interest rate rise since the 2004 election.

National Dementia Awareness Month - 12 September 2007
Next Monday marks the beginning of National Dementia Awareness Month, which runs from 17 September to 17 October.

Newcastle CBD Revitalisation - 16 August 2007
Yesterday the developer General Property Trust released a $500 million redevelopment plan for the Newcastle CBD, which is hoped will lead to a significant revitalisation of the city centre and the creation of 3,000 direct jobs.

Building & Construction Industry Legislation - 16 August 2007
I rise to speak on the Building and Construction Industry Improvement Amendment (OHS) Bill 2007 and to give it my qualified support. I say 'qualified' because, while any measures to improve occupational health and safety law are welcome, it has to be noted that the improvements in this bill are improvements to what is already a very unsatisfactory set of regulations.

ACCC Court Action - 16 August 2007
The case I wish to talk about today illustrates what individual members of parliament do and can acheive. Two years ago I raised in the House a constituent's case to do with online marketing and suspected predatory behavior against that constituents small business, Stickybeek.

Coal River National Heritage - 14 August 2007
I rise tonight to support the nomination of Newcastle's Coal River Heritage Park to the National Heritage Register, and to give our region's thanks to all those who are working so hard to preserve and promote our unique history.

Sustainable Energy - 13 August 2007
Recently I spent two weeks in the United States of America studying developments in solar energy and clean coal technologies. I did so as the member for Newcastle, understanding that sustainable energy and our regional economy are intertwined.

Manufacturing: Today and Tomorrow - 13 August 2007
The House of Representatives Standing Committee on Economics, Finance and Public Administration's report Australian manufacturing: today and tomorrow is a very important report that looks at our manufacturing sector today and, as it says, where we would like it to be post the current economic boom.

Dental Services - 8 August 2007
I rise today to share with the House the problems that people in Newcastle and all around Australia are facing in accessing vital dental healthcare services.

Storm Recovery Update - 21 June 2007
I rise to update the Parliament on the wonderful, selfless work of the people contributing to the recovery effort in Newcastle and the Hunter in the wake of the devastating long weekend storms.

Servicing Our Future Report - 18 June 2007
This report was undertaken as part of the Economics, Finance & Public Administration Committee's inquiry into the current status and the future - particularly preparing for the economic times after the resources boom - of the services export sector.

Hunter Storm - 14 June 2007
The tempest that struck our region last Friday exposed the people of Newcastle and the Hunter to the world and, although we appeared battered and bruised, our community strength has been revealed for all to admire.

Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme Amendment - 31 May 2007
Labor's approach to the PBS and to the proposed changes is based on three core pincipals, which we test this bill against: ensuring sustainability in the long term, ensuring patients can afford the drugs they need, and ensuring that we utilise the PBS as part of broader preventative strategies including the best possible management of chronic disease.

Federal Budget 2007-08 - 29 May 2007
I support Labor's amendment, which condemns the Howard Government for failing to secure Australia's long-term economic fundamentals, despite record high commodity prices and rising levels of taxation.

Indigenous Anniversaries - 24 May 2007
I rise to speak on the eve of two important anniversaries for our nation's Indigenous people: the 40th anniversary of the 1967 referendum and the 10th anniversary of the Bringing Them Home report.

Workplace Relations Advertising - 22 May 2007
While working people, after 12 months of WorkChoices, have paid dearly in cuts, cuts, cuts to their pay and conditions, this Government just spends, spends, spends to protect its electoral fortunes.

Reserve Bank Annual Report - 21 May 2007
This was the first hearing between the House of Representatives Standing Committee on Economics, Finance and Public Administration and Governor Glenn Stevens since his appointment last year.

Budget 07-08 Education Measures - 9 May 2007
I cannot pass up this opportunity to have a closer look at what this budget has offered for education. Does this new budget promise to lift Australia to the top of the OECD tables in productivity and innovation? I think not.

Tribute to Andrew Johns - 9 May 2007
On behalf of tens of thousands of Novocastrians, I pay tribute in the House to Newcastle's very own sporting hero and favourite Knight, Andrew Johns.

Public Accounts & Audit Conference - 13 April 2007
Address, as Deputy Chair of the Commonwealth Joint Committee of Public Accounts & Audit, to the 9th Biennial Conference of the Australasian Council of Public Accounts Committees.

Climate Change - 15 February 2007
Climate change is now fixed in the consciousness of the Australian people. Solutions will not come from leadership that divides communities, induces fear or encourages the Australian people to feel threatened or powerless. Nor will they come from isolating coal producing communities through the full onslaught of wedge politics - John Howard style.

Appropriation Bills (3 & 4) 2006-07 - 15 February 2007
I support the amendments to these bills which condemn the Howard Government for its poor performance in securing Australia's long-term economic fundamentals, reasserts Labor's opposition to the Government's draconian industrial relations changes and highlights the flawed Budget documents and Charter of Budget Honesty election costing process.

Private Health Insurance Bill 2006 - 14 February 2007
We are supporting this bill, because it is the only deal on the table. If the government were genuine about ensuring the best possible health care, regardless of wealth and location, we would be debating very different legislation today.

AusCheck Bill 2006 - 8 February 2007
The Howard Government can do a lot more on aviation and port security. It has had long enough - this legislation does move in the right direction, but it seems to me that the wheels are turning too slowly.

Hunter Valley Coal Chain - 8 February 2007
The Port of Newcastle sits at the end of the Hunter Valley Coal Chain, and in the past two years over 84 million tonnes per annum of coal has been shipped out to our Asian buyers. Many factors contribute to the queue of around 50 ships off our coastline, but demand will keep coming the coal will keep flowing along the HVCC.

Australian Technical Colleges Amendment Bill (No.2) 2006 - 7 February 2007
We need to make a close examination of the government's failures in skills and vocational education and training, and its neglect of the TAFE sector. We need to examine the failure of this government to deliver outcomes in skills and the wasted opportunities that have been associated with the ATC program.

Migration Amendment (Employer Sanctions) Bill 2006 - 6 February 2007
This bill goes some way to redressing a gross imbalance in our our current immigration laws - an imbalance that this government acknowledged back in 1999 but until now has failed to act upon. This imalance has magnified every year as new ways of exploiting legal and illegal workers in Australia keep coming to light.