Media releases, speeches and articles
The Big Issue
Today (Fri 11 Dec) between 12.00-12.30 I’ll be joining Big Issue seller Drew at Pacific Square Maroubra (in Sydney). Come and say hello and buy a copy of this magazine which has been helping people help themselves for 20 years. [more info at The Big Issue]
13 Sept 2014
I note the report of the Royal Commission and the findings of Commissioner Ian Hanger AM QC and that the Abbott Government says it will respond shortly. I’ll consider that response before making any further comment on this matter.
30 May 2014
Free, compulsory and secular: a review of Taking God to School, written for Sydney Review of Books
It says a lot about the secular nature of Australia that Marion Maddox’s important new book Taking God to School has not attracted more attention, or even, as she may have hoped, controversy. [al_icon icon=”arrow-right”] READ MORE
31 March 2014
Transcript, interview with Tracey Holmes, ABC News Radio, 31 March 2014
I’m absolutely over the moon for all those people who wanted to see the charade of scientific whaling cease for once and for all. And to have this ruling from the international court, which is absolutely clear and totally comprehensive, vindicates the decision that we took in taking Japan to the court and I think it means, without any shadow of a doubt, that we won’t see the taking of whales in the Southern Ocean in the name of science. [al_icon icon=”arrow-right”] READ MORE
4 September 2013
Education: Australia’s 21st century ‘Light on the hill’
The key task of any political party aiming to improve the common good is to ensure the foundations for harnessing the human resources of the nation are well laid. [al_icon icon=”arrow-right”] READ MORE
27 June 2013
Valedictory speech, House of Representatives
I take this opportunity to record a brief valedictory for the benefit of the House and more importantly for the record. I seek the indulgence of the House to make some remarks on my last day in the parliament. [al_icon icon=”arrow-right”] READ MORE
8 December 2004
First speech, House of Representatives
I rise in the House to speak for the first time as the new member for Kingsford Smith, humbled by the honour that the people of this electorate have granted me. I begin by acknowledging the traditional owners, the Ngunnawal people, who have lived in the region around Canberra for over 20,000 years. I want to thank the electors of Kingsford Smith for giving me the opportunity to represent them in the federal parliament. [al_icon icon=”arrow-right”] READ MORE