Category: Speeches in Parliament

5 MINUTE: SMA Awareness Month

Deputy Speaker, I rise to speak on an extremely important matter and one that is very close to my heart.

August is Spinal Muscular Atrophy awareness month, commonly known as SMA.

Sadly, one in 10,000 births in Australia are affected by SMA.

And Deputy Speaker, with no cure this disease is the number one genetic cause of death for babies under two in Australia.

I first became aware of SMA through the story of Baby Mackenzie in 2018.

At just 10 weeks old little Mackenzie was diagnosed with SMA, sadly passing away at just seven months old.

Mackenzie’s parents Rachael and Jonathan Casella have made it their mission to shine a light on this disease.

Learning of their story, I had the privilege of working with Rachael and Jonathan to bring it to the attention of Minister Hunt.

Their hard work resulted in the delivery of a $20 million study into reproductive genetic carrier screening called Mackenzie’s Mission in the 2018 Budget.

Deputy Speaker, our Government has remained committed to supporting SMA patients with more life saving measures to support babies with this horrible disease.

In fact, this month on the 1st of August our Government listed Evrysdi on the PBS.

This medication means families living with SMA now have access to less invasive treatment options.

It also means these families may experience a reduction in visits to specialists’ hospitals.

Deputy Speaker, childbirth and welcoming your little one into the world is meant to be one of the happiest moments in a parent’s life.

A time when spending days, weeks and sleepless nights at the hospital shouldn’t be the case.

And a time when a debilitating disease like SMA shouldn’t be taking place of precious family moments.

I thank the government for this listing.

Deputy Speaker, I am a strong advocate for bringing awareness to SMA.

There are families in my electorate of Bonner currently battling this disease, just like locals Kate and Grant Gough and their beautiful six-month-old baby, Oakley.

I first met with the Gough family last year and have been working with them to bring awareness to SMA in Queensland.

It has been a long and challenging journey for baby Oakley, after being diagnosed at just 8 weeks old.

Baby Oakley has recently been able to access Zolgensma, a lifechanging gene therapy drug to treat babies with SMA.

After just two weeks of accessing this drug, Oakley rolled over the for first time, lifted her head and scored 100% in her physio assessment.

I’m happy to report she is improving every day.

But that doesn’t mean life will be easy.

Had Oakley been screened for SMA as part of the Newborn Bloodspot Screen Program, her quality of life may be completely different to today.

And Deputy Speaker, it is incompressible that had Oakey been born in a different state, that too may have meant her quality of life would be completely different to today.

A disadvantage which should not be happening in this country.

Today I also rise to bring attention to the lack of action from the Queensland State Government in including a screening for SMA as part of the NBS Program.

Newborns in New South Wales and ACT are already being screened for SMA as part of a pilot NBS program.

And just last month Western Australia signed on.

Queensland is now one of the few remaining states left to include SMA as part of this program.

Early detection of SMA can slow the rapid decline in the health of the child and give them the best chance at a healthy life.

Deputy Speaker, I hear the overwhelming calls of Queensland families for the State Government to take urgent action.

And today I am speaking up for these families.

I’ve recently had two more precious babies in my local area brought to my attention who are battling SMA.

And at just a couple of months old.

How many more children, grandchildren, siblings and loved ones must endure this unforgiving disease when it could have been prevented Deputy Speaker.

How many more babies will fall victim to the lack of life saving testing in the state of Queensland.

Deputy Speaker, I understand rolling out testing like this can’t be done overnight.

But at approximately $10 per test there is no reason it shouldn’t be added.

No family should have to endure the heartbreak of losing a child to this disease.

And no child should be disadvantaged based on where they’re born.

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90 SECOND STATEMENT: Mt Gravatt Show

Deputy Speaker, I rise today to speak about the Mt Gravatt Show- the best little country show in the city.

A weekend long show more than just rides, fireworks, showbags and farm animals.

It was a show that showcased the very best of the Mt Gravatt community Deputy Speaker.

And this year the Show celebrated the huge milestone of 105 years.

Those who came along as children are now bringing their children or their children’s children.

A tradition Deputy Speaker which gets bigger and better every year.

I had the privilege of opening the show and was joined on stage by an Alpaca who completely stole the show.

Now what is seeing this show go from strength to strength are the people behind it.

The Show President Kim Goss, Loretta Smith from the Mt Gravatt Show Society and the entire committee.

All working tirelessly to make this show a calendar moment for people from across Brisbane.

Thank you for your hard work.

Deputy Speaker, this was no easy feat this year.

Unfortunately, last year’s show was cancelled because of the pandemic.

I know how much this show means to our community and that is why I fought for its return.

Over $43,000 in federal funding was delivered this year that enabled the show to get back on its feet.

And funding that saw stallholders and small businesses breathe a sigh of relief after the last year.

I want to thank the Morrison Government for the opportunity to see our community come together.

Our Government is securing our recovery by supporting local and giving confidence to these businesses.

And our community spirit is being made better because of it.

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90 SECOND STATEMENT: Bayside Mental Health Roundtable

Deputy Speaker, I rise today to speak about the Bayside Mental Health Roundtable I recently convened in my electorate of Bonner.

I believe there is a great need for increased mental health services, particularly on the Bayside of Bonner and especially during this unprecedented pandemic.

To understand the thoughts of the Bayside, I encouraged the community to take part in my Mental Health Survey.

Over 500 responses were collected in just 2 weeks- a truly overwhelming response.

97% of respondents believe there is a real need for more services in our community.

With a clear need for more support, I want to ensure the Morrison Governments $2.3 billion investment into the mental health sector delivers on the Bayside.

And as a next step I organised the Bayside Mental Health Roundtable.

I involved mental health experts from the Bayside who have a deep understanding of the needs of our community to workshop solutions with me.

I was joined by a range of community providers, including but not limited to, service providers, GP’s, first responders, schools and more.

Learning about the life changing work our mental health experts are already doing in our community was a privilege, along with how all levels of Government can work together to better support them.

I will continue pursuing the outcomes of the Bayside Mental Health Roundtable and fighting for the funding for my community.

I extend my sincere thanks to all those who took part in the Roundtable.

Deputy Speaker, these conversations are just the beginning.

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5 MINUTE: Fuel Security Bill

Deputy Speaker I rise today to speak on the Fuel Security Bill 2021.

This incredible commitment by the Morrison Government not only locks in Australia’s sovereign refining capability and our long-term fuel security, it backs local jobs for local families in my electorate of Bonner.

Deputy Speaker, the Morrison Government is taking strong action to support the Australian economy and ensuring our critical services can keep running.

The Bill includes two key measures of the Morrison Government’s fuel security package: the Fuel Security Services Payment and the Minimum Stockholding Obligation.

Fuel is crucial across the economy and through these two key measures this Bill will champion our fuel dependent industries.

Our truckies, our tradies, our farmers, our commuters, our miners—and of course, everyone who travels in Australia.

This Bill will help secure our sovereign fuel stocks and back local jobs.

And this Bill will protect families and businesses from higher fuel prices ensuring that Aussie families can keep more of what they earn!

Deputy Speaker, Australia continues to lead the world in our comeback from the Covid-19 pandemic.

And we aren’t slowing down.

Our Prime Minister has made a commitment.

A commitment to maintaining a self-sufficient refining capability in Australia.

A commitment that has been applauded by the fuel industry and by peak industry bodies.

Deputy Speaker, locking in Australia’s fuel security will deliver benefits for all Australian’s.

Deputy Speaker, traditional fuels will continue to be the dominant fuel source for transport beyond 2030 – we cannot be complacent about fuel security because of this.

The Fuel Security Bill supports the Ampol refinery in Lytton, in my electorate of Bonner, and Victoria’s Viva Energy refinery in Geelong.

This bill will lock in these refineries until 2027 and safeguard levels of key transport fuels through the Minimum Stockholding Obligation measure.

This is critical for our farmers, our emergency services, our truckies and our industries who all rely on diesel to keep Australia moving.

Deputy Speaker, without the passage of this Bill, it is likely Australia’s remaining refineries will close within the next five years.

Between these two refineries, this would mean losing 1,250 direct jobs. That’s 1250 families.

It would mean forfeiting 1,750 new construction jobs.

The fallout would then have a devastating impact on jobs in all fuel dependent industries.

The ramifications would be catastrophic for our local economy.

That’s why I was extremely pleased to welcome the Prime Minister and Minister for Energy and Emission Reduction Angus Taylor to Bonner for the announcement of this Bill recently.

Deputy Speaker, as part of the Fuel Security Services Payment measure, the refineries will be paid a variable production payment.

What this means is if there was a time either of these refineries were not making profits, they would be supported.

It means our taxpayers are only supporting the sector when it is needed.

On a local level this support equates to 550 direct jobs in Bonner.

550 highly skilled workers who can keep their jobs.

The flow on effect of this certainty in the local community can not be underestimated!

This is a Government that is backing jobs.

Deputy Speaker, when I joined the Prime Minister and Minister Taylor on a tour of the refinery, we walked past a worker holding up a hand-written sign which read: Thank you for supporting the refinery.

I was beyond humbled to read this because this is exactly why we do what we do.

These are real people; people with families, loved ones and passions for their work.

These are people with incredible skills that we absolutely must harness to ensure our sovereign capability.

Deputy Speaker, ensuring our sovereign capability is essential.

It means we can prepare for any crisis and protect our families and businesses from higher prices at the bowser.

This is where the Minimum Stockholding Obligation measure of the Bill comes in to play.

The Australian fuel market operates on a near just in time basis and is heavily reliant on global supply chains operating under normal conditions.

Yes, this helps to keep operational costs low.

But Deputy Speaker it means the market is less prepared for disruptions.

Implementation of the Minimum Stockholding Obligation will provide certainty to fuel consumers that there is a baseline level of liquid fuel available in Australia at any point in time.

Deputy Speaker, I say again-locking in Australia’s fuel security will deliver benefits for all Australian’s.

Fuel is what keeps us and the economy going.

That is why the Morrison Government is backing our refineries.

And that is why the passage of this Bill is essential.

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ADJOURNMENT: Australian Made

Mr Deputy Speaker, I rise today to speak on the importance of buying Australian Made.

We just recently celebrated Australian Made Week which is a reminder for Aussie shoppers to embrace the incredible quality of locally-made products.

Mr Deputy Speaker, the Morrison Government recognises the job-creating power of Australian manufacturers.

Our Government has invested $1.5 billion in the Modern Manufacturing Strategy.

This means our much-loved green and gold logo can not only have a stronger presence on home soil, but also internationally.

Mr Deputy Speaker, the Morrison Government is backing local manufacturers to scale-up and grow. I am experiencing the benefits of this firsthand in my electorate of Bonner.

Bonner is home to some amazing businesses, proudly showcasing Australian Made products.

Local businesses like:

  • Make Your Life Easier in Carindale, specialising in premium home organisation products.
  • August Skincare in Upper Mt Gravatt manufacturing top quality cosmetics and skincare.
  • And Oz Backdrops and Props in Wynnum, a leader in printed and digital backdrops, printing and more.

And this is just a glimpse into the diverse range of Australian Made products we are manufacturing in Bonner.

Mr Deputy Speaker, I want to take this opportunity to talk about my recent visit to Couplemate in Wynnum.

This is a local business championing Australian Made.  Couplemate is based on the Bayside, specialising in the design, manufacture and distribution of caravan and trailer parts.

The last time I visited Steven and his team was late last year. Since then they have done fantastic work re-investing in Australian production.

The businesses dedication to what they do is second to none, resulting in their recent expansion and hiring of four new graduates.

Mr Deputy Speaker, last year was incredibly tough on small businesses.

But the Morrison Government delivered a plan that created jobs, supported our skilled workers and enabled growth.

We now have more Aussies in work than ever before.

Mr Deputy Speaker, since my last visit to Couplemate, their apprentice machinist has now completed his trade and is working full time as a qualified machinist.

Upskilling jobs and our young people has never been more important.

It is essential we are equipping Australians with the skills they need to get a job today and tomorrow.

As part of this year’s Budget, the Morrison Government doubled our commitment to the JobTrainer fund.

We already have around 1,400 apprentices in my electorate of Bonner and these new measures will lead to more opportunities for apprentices and trainees.

To see Aussie grown businesses just like Couplemate go from strength to strength during this time is remarkable.

Mr Speaker, the Morrison Government recognises local businesses are the engine room of our economy.

And to secure our recovery we are making sure they can get on with that they do best.

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90 SECOND STATEMENT: Little Warrior Shields

Deputy Speaker, I rise to speak on the work of an incredible volunteer in my electorate of Bonner.

Earlier this week, I had the privilege of meeting Damien who is the founder of Little Warrior Shields. Damien hand makes amazing medieval inspired play shields and helmets for sick children.

These are made from a super lightweight and flexible foam, so they are perfect for children of all ages.

In fact, I have a mini version of one of his shields pinned to me today.

But, what started out as a hobby for Damien four years ago has grown into so much more.

Damien has now donated over 280 shields to Queensland Children’s Hospital and the P.A Hospital.

All whilst working full time and with a young family.

Damien’s passion for putting a smile on these children’s faces is truly inspiring.

He is even using up his annual leave this week to prepare the next batch of shields to donate.

What’s also extraordinary is how he has been backed by local Brisbane small businesses.

Hero Studios have sponsored the foam he uses, and East Coast Leather sponsor the leather and screws.

Deputy Speaker, supporting local has never been more important and this is a prime example of why we must do it.

It extends into all parts of the community, making projects just like Little Warrior Shields possible.

And now it has touched the lives of hundreds of sick children.

Making them feel like the little warriors they are.

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90 SECOND STATEMENT: Wynnum-Manly District Men’s Shed

Mr Speaker, last week I had the pleasure of dropping in on the Wynnum-Manly District Men’s Shed in my electorate of Bonner.

The Shed recently completed upgrades to its facilities thanks to two hundred thousand dollars in funding from the Morrison Government’s Community Development Grants Program.

I was really looking forward to this visit and seeing the benefits of our funding in person.

The funding has enabled the upgrade of the Wynnum-Manly and District Men’s Shed’s office facilities, shed equipment including a laser cutter and dust extraction system and the installation of solar panels.

It will also support their growing membership base.

Mr Speaker, Men’s Sheds do incredible work.

Open to all men, they play vital roles in our communities, addressing social isolation and boosting men’s mental health.

Mr Speaker, mental health care is a priority of the Morrison Government.

We have nearly doubled spending on mental health since we came to office.

There are more than one thousand Men’s Sheds across the country where men can work on various projects from manual crafts to gardening.

I am fortunate enough to have multiple Men’s Sheds in Bonner whose amazing projects are often donated back into our communities.

The Wynnum-Manly Men’s Shed has built model trains for our childcare centres, supported local businesses with handmade décor like table numbers for the local Leagues Club and provided carpentry support to those in need.

I am always humbled by the kindness and generosity of the Men’s Shed towards our community.

Mr Speaker, the Morrison Government’s funding towards the Wynnum-Manly Men’s Shed means we are not only nurturing the skills and passions of our community, but we are investing in their mental health and wellbeing.

Our Government is making mental health services accessible and providing safe environments for those seeking support.

I believe this embodies exactly what it means to be Australian.

To provide a helping hand to those who need it most.

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PRIVATE MEMBERS BILL: Australia’s Defence Capability

Mr Speaker, I rise today to speak about the Morrison Government’s $270 billion investment into Australia’s Defence Capability.

Mr Speaker, not only do I support this bill, I applaud this bill!

We are living in increasingly uncertain times, both at home and abroad.

Australia should and must always prioritise its own interests.

And that is exactly Mr Speaker what the Morrison Government is doing.

We are ensuring the men and women of the Australian Defence Force have the capability they need to keep Australians safe and secure.

Currently, 15,000 businesses and 70,000 Australians are employed in our Defence industry.

These numbers will increase thanks to our $270 billion plan.

It will create new jobs for skilled workers and investment in our local communities over the coming decade and beyond.

Mr Speaker, it is more important than ever we are keeping Australians in work.

Queensland is headed towards being Australia’s front line for Defence industry and that’s thanks to the Morrison Government’s ongoing commitment to Australia’s Defence capability.

Our Government is investing in growing Queensland’s Defence capability; supporting Queensland’s small businesses and enabling thousands of jobs.

Mr Speaker, North Queensland has an established Defence industry.

This is Member for Herbert, Phillip Thompson’s patch.

It is gold standard and an example of what can be achieved.

Townsville has a long and proud role at the core of our nation’s Defence.

It is Australia’s largest garrison city.

Our plan will help strengthen Townsville’s Defence strategy over the decades to come.

We are committing $31 million in the delivery of a new, three-storey Armoured Vehicle Simulation Centre in Townsville.

This equates to 110 local jobs.

Jobs that are crucial in keeping Australians safe.

As part of this plan, Queensland also welcomes the first of the fleet of new Combat Reconnaissance Vehicles.

It enables the delivery of 211 Boxer CRV’s creating 330 local jobs in Queensland.

Mr Speaker, our plan benefits both the state of Queensland and my electorate of Bonner.

Mr Speaker, Bonner is home to successful Defence contracts critical to building up our local industry.

In 2019, Skyborne Technologies based in Murarrie was awarded a $463,000 grant by the Morrison Government to enhance manufacturing capability and further research into Artificial Intelligence.

They are making their mark on Australia’s Defence industry through the development of armoured drones.

Mr Speaker, Bonner is also home to Tingalpa based Defence manufacturer Ferra Engineering, who in late 2020 were awarded a Defence Global Competiveness Grant of $127,000 to enhance export manufacturing capability.

Ferra Engineering are one of Australia’s largest independently owned technology companies serving the aerospace and Defence industries.

Mr Speaker, the Morrison Government is creating the environment for Australian businesses to thrive.

I recently visited Crystal Aid’s headquarters in Tingalpa who are undertaking incredible work specialising in Defence, medical and aerospace industries.

I was excited to congratulate them on being one of six Australian small businesses who were awarded $207,000 in Morrison Government grants designed to boost their export potential.

Bonner is going from strength to strength when it comes to Defence.

Mr Speaker, small business is the backbone of our economy.

Our Government is enabling small business to be front and centre of Defence capability and infrastructure.

Mr Speaker, next week Land Forces which is a premier international land Defence exposition is taking place in Queensland.

It will showcase equipment, technology and services for the armies of Australia and the Indo-Asia-Pacific.

Under the Morrison Government, Queensland has an exciting and young Defence industry base.

For this event to go ahead, it’s clear there is confidence in the Queensland Defence industry.

The Morrison Government is getting on with the job of delivering for Defence and our Defence industry.

Mr Speaker, compare this to the previous Labor Government who sat idle for six years.

Labor gutted $18 billion from the Defence Budget. $18 billion Mr Speaker!

Labor did not commission a single Australian built ship.

Whereas the Morrison Government is creating at least 15,000 jobs in Australian Defence shipbuilding.

It’s not enough to just talk about the Defence of our nation.

You need a plan, and you need to execute and invest in that plan.

And that Mr Speaker, is how the Morrison Government is building the strongest Defence industry the country has ever seen.

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3 MINUTE STATEMENT: Move for Oakley

Thank you, Deputy Speaker. Today I rise to speak on behalf of my constituents: Kate and Grant Gough and their six-month old baby, Oakley.

I recently met with this beautiful family who shared with me the heartbreaking story of baby Oakley’s Spinal Muscular Atrophy diagnoses at just 8 weeks old.

Sadly, SMA is the leading genetic killer of infants under the age of two in Australia, with 1 in 35 Australians unknowingly carrying the gene.

Deputy Speaker, had Oakley been screened for SMA as part of the Newborn Bloodspot Screening and started treatment sooner, her quality of life may be completely different to today.

I first became aware of SMA in 2018 through baby Mackenzie. At just 10 weeks old, little Mackenzie was diagnosed with SMA, sadly passing away at just seven months and eleven days old.

I brought Mackenzie’s story to the attention of Minister Hunt and Minister Coleman and they took prompt action.

Deputy Speaker, this action resulted in the inclusion of a $20 million study into reproductive genetic carrier screening called Mackenzie’s Mission in the May 2018 Federal Budget.

I understand the Minister has asked all states and territories to include screening for SMA in their Newborn bloodspot screening programs.

Trials for SMA through Newborn bloodspot screening programs are currently ONLY underway in New South Wales and the ACT.

I ask those in room today, what about newborns impacted by SMA in other parts of the country?

Deputy Speaker, I want to emphasise that the results of these trials have been extremely encouraging.

The medical community is overwhelmingly in agreement that the sooner the treatment begins, the better long-term prognosis for children with SMA.

With that in mind, I am calling on the Queensland State Labor Government to consider the courageous families battling SMA or will be in the future.

Even AMA Queensland is asking for SMA to be included in the Queensland Newborn bloodspot screening program.

Deputy Speaker, our families do not have the time to wait for trials to conclude in NSW and ACT before Queensland State Labor acts.

With the cost effectiveness of this test – approximately $10 per test- its positive results thus far, AND the Morrison Government’s willingness to collaborate, I urge Queensland State Labor to include SMA in their Newborn bloodspot screening program.

You’ve heard Oakley and Mackenzie’s stories today.

As a father of two, there is nothing more important to me than family and their wellbeing.

I am taking this opportunity today to fight for the quality of life these babies deserve.

No family should have to endure the heartbreak of losing a child to this disease. And no child should be disadvantaged based on where they’re born.

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REPORT: Question Time

Question time plays an important, critical review function in the House. In 2019 the Procedure Committee decided to inquire into the practices and procedures relating to this unique and very visible part of the parliamentary day. We were keen to hear directly from the public as part of our inquiry. As well as inviting submissions, we launched a survey to ask people their thoughts. Almost 3½ thousand people responded to the public survey and we received more than 50 submissions. We also had a survey for members.

I would like to thank everyone who made a submission or responded to the surveys. I would like to thank our current Speaker for his invaluable input. I would also like to thank state and territory Speakers, current members of this House, former Speakers, academics, parliamentary practitioners and school students who took the time to meet with us, make submissions or appear at hearings. We had hoped to meet with more members of the public face to face, but, unfortunately, COVID-19 meant we weren’t able to do that last year. Nonetheless, the message from the public survey was clear. More than 95 per cent of respondents thought the House should change how question time operates.

In the surveys, submissions and hearings we heard many suggestions for change. While we couldn’t consider them all, we explored a lot of them and we tried to address as many of them as possible in our report. Improving question time as a forum for accountability and scrutiny, having better questions and answers and lifting the standard of behaviour were key themes.

We have developed a package of 11 recommendations that we consider would address these. We recommend a question time consisting of a minimum of 21 questions each day, with at least 10 questions from opposition members, five questions from government members on a rostered basis, five constituency questions from government members on a rostered basis and one question from a non-aligned member, and there could be one supplementary question from an opposition member each day. We also recommend new time limits of 30 seconds for questions and two minutes for answers, with no point of order on relevance allowed in the first 30 seconds of an answer. We propose curbing the use of tag questions about alternative approaches and also suggest that the Prime Minister should speak to any questions posed to him or her first, even if they then choose to refer it to another minister for a more detailed response. I note that the Prime Minister seems to have addressed this issue, judging by his current approach. This package of changes would encourage questions to be more focused and answers to be tighter and more relevant. We would also limit opportunities for Dorothy Dix style questions while still allowing all members to ask questions.

The inquiry also heard concerns about the tone and tenor of question time. At the moment there are two options for managing disorderly behaviour: a one-hour suspension under standing order 94(a); or, more serious, naming, which can result in suspension for a minimum of 24 hours. We recommend an additional option so that the Speaker can direct a member who is disorderly to leave the House for a three-hour period. This would be served during question time and discussion of matters of public importance, and carry across sitting days if necessary.

We also recommend a trial of very limited mobile phone use by members. We know people are concerned when they see members who are on their phones and don’t seem to be paying attention to question time. But we also heard that phones are sometimes being used to communicate very relevant information. So we have proposed a trial to see whether limiting phone use would be workable in the longer term.

We are very conscious that question time is the window through which the House is often viewed and judged. But it is not always representative of the serious and thoughtful way that members carry out much of their other work. We recommend more promotion to highlight the other work of the House. The House may also wish to consider making more use of the time immediately after prayers for condolence motions and matters on indulgence.

Ultimately, responsibility for the operation of question time rests with the House itself. I hope it will use this report as a blueprint for change. I commend the report to the House.

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