House of Representatives

Monday, 3 June 2013 HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 1
Monday, 3 June 2013
The SPEAKER (Ms AE Burke) took the chair at
10:00, made an acknowledgement of country and read
prayers.
PRIVILEGE
The SPEAKER (10:01): On 30 May 2013, the
Leader of the Nationals raised as a matter of privilege
whether the member for New England had abused the
privileges of the House in making remarks on 28 May
concerning Senator Joyce.
Matters of privilege have been raised regarding the
possible misuse of privilege by members making
remarks in the House. The judgement in such matters
involves a balancing of the right of members to be able
to express themselves as they wish and a recognition
that the privilege of freedom of speech is very
powerful and should be exercised with care by
members. This balancing is one largely for the
judgement of individual members to make, recognising
that anything said in the House will be assessed and
judged by the community.
To be pursued as a matter of privilege, by reference
to the Committee of Privileges and Members' Interests,
there would need to be some prima facie evidence that
the references had constituted an improper interference
with the work of the House. In my opinion the
information provided does not constitute prima facie
evidence that a contempt has been committed.
I note that a member of parliament has the
opportunity to respond on an equal footing to remarks
made about them in the House. I also note that
offensive references to senators are not permitted under
the standing orders, although no point of order was
raised at the time. Private citizens, by means of an
application for a right of reply, also are able to respond
to remarks they believe have damaged their reputation.
PRIVATE MEMBERS' BUSINESS
Private Members' Motions
Reference to Federation Chamber
The SPEAKER (10:02): In accordance with
standing order 41(g), and the recommendations of the
Selection Committee, I present copies of the terms of
motions for which notice has been given by the
members for Berowra, Werriwa and Dawson. These
items will be considered in the Federation Chamber
later today.
PETITIONS
Mr MURPHY (Reid) (10:03): On behalf of the
Standing Committee on Petitions, and in accordance
with standing order 207, I present the following
petitions:
CHAMBER
Diabetes
To the Honourable The Speaker and Members of the House
of Representatives
This petition of citizens of Australia draws to the attention of
the House the fact that type 2 Diabetes incidents is growing
in Australia and the average age of sufferers in now
becoming younger and younger;
We therefore ask the House to do all in its power to ensure
the government implements measures to reduce the risk of
Australians developing type 2 diabetes and to better manage
type 1 and type 2 diabetes, specifically:
Resourcing primary prevention programs focussing on
populations, communities and individuals;
Implementing a systematic, national risk assessment
aimed at the early identification of those with type 2
diabetes and those likely to develop the disease;
Investing in health programs and public education to
improve the detection and early intervention for prediabetes
and existing diabetes;
implementing programs to prevent progression and
complications of both type 1 and type 2 Diabetes; and
Establishing a sustainable program for optimal,
individualised diabetes management for both type 1 and
type 2 diabetes.
from 42 citizens
Gippsland Electorate: Television Reception
To the Honourable The Speaker and Members of the House
of Representatives
This petition of…The People of Churchill in the State of
Victoria. Draws to the attention of the House
To the state of television reception in Churchill
We therefore ask the house to: Look into this matter as a
matter of urgency We get good reception most of the time,
BUT we get NO signal for short periods many times a day.
This is not caused by two aerials as stated by on behalf of the
Minister for Broadband, Communications and the digital
economy. (checked)
from 61 citizens
Visas
To the Honourable The Speaker and Members of the House
of Representatives
This petition of concerned residents and friends of the village
of Metung in East Gippsland draws to the attention of the
House: to the inequitable circumstances regarding the
temporary residency of and, originally from England, arrived
in Australia in November 2007 and settled in Metung, East
Gippsland where they purchased, successfully operated and
expanded an important local business. They are hard
working, financially independent, well liked and through
their active community spirit have become an asset to our
local community. 's Sister has lived in Brisbane for over
forty years and now one of their children has also decided
that she would like Australia to be her home and is currently
undertaking a second degree at Monash University as an
International Student.
They have committed to stay in Metung and are currently in
the process of having a new home built.