Speeches
25 February 2009 in Speeches
Mr BRIGGS (Mayo) (9:56 AM) —I rise to also speak on the Excise Tariff Amendment (2009 Measures No. 1) Bill 2009 and the Customs Tariff Amendment (2009 Measures No. 1) Bill 2009. The government claims that this legislation was designed to fund a new preventative health program and tackle binge drinking among teenagers, particularly girls. The price of ready-to-drink beverages and alcopops increased by 70 per cent overnight when this measure was announced in April 2008, and I will deal wit... »
24 February 2009 in Speeches
Mr BRIGGS (Mayo) (9:51 PM) —I, too, rise to talk on a very important local event in my electorate which happened last weekend. I am sure most in this House would be aware of the Kangaroo Island Cup—the cup that stops the island—which was run on Saturday at the end of the three-day-long Kangaroo Island Racing Club meeting. It is a fantastic meeting. It truly does stop the island.
Some of you will not be aware of Kangaroo Island. I know the Parliamentary Secretary for Disabilities and Children’s... »
11 February 2009 in Speeches
Mr BRIGGS (Mayo) (7:48 PM) —I congratulate the member for Calwell for her contribution. I too rise to speak about the events surrounding ‘Black Saturday’ in Victoria—not from a personal note but to reflect on some lessons that I think are important to take away from those tragic events on Saturday. We have lost so many good Australians, such as the one that the member just spoke of, in the last few days. We are all in shock and horrified by these events. It will take us some time as a community ... »
11 February 2009 in Speeches
Mr BRIGGS (Mayo) (1:35 PM) —I rise to support my colleagues on this side of the House in supporting the Trade Practices Amendment (Cartel Conduct and Other Measures) Bill 2008. Obviously we believe that cartel behaviour can damage consumers throughout our country. During our time in government—and we can go back in history on this if we like—we strengthened and increased the powers of the ACCC to deal with this type of behaviour. Again, I am thankful, as are many other members, particularly thos... »
11 February 2009 in Speeches
Mr BRIGGS (Mayo) (11:17 AM) —I rise with great sadness too to speak on this motion. I thank the Deputy Prime Minister for moving the motion. I too pay tribute to the words of the Deputy Prime Minister, the Prime Minister and the Leader of the Opposition, but more particularly to our colleague the member for McMillan and those affected in the fires. I look forward today to the member for Gippsland’s contribution at 2 pm and to the contribution of the member for Indi, whom I spoke to this morning.... »
04 February 2009 in Speeches
Speech to the House on the APPROPRIATION (NATION BUILDING AND JOBS) BILL 2008-2009, Second Reading, 04 February 2009
Mr BRIGGS (Mayo) (1:15 PM) —I too rise to speak on the Appropriation (Nation Building and Jobs) Bill (No. 1) 2008-2009 and the cognate bills that we are debating today in this rushed manner in this House. I follow a member who, I note, although she talked about doorknocking during the 2007 federal election, failed to show her face during a by-election in a state seat, which was i... »
04 February 2009 in Speeches
Speech to the Main Committee - TROOPER MARK DONALDSON VC, 04 February 2009
Mr BRIGGS (Mayo) (5:14 PM) —I join with and acknowledge the remarks of the Minister for Defence Science and Personnel. This is a debate in which we can all agree wholeheartedly on paying tribute to Trooper Mark Donaldson and Lance Corporal S, as the minister referred to him.
During my maiden speech, I acknowledged and paid tribute to the commitment of those who are in the Australian defence forces and those who have be... »
04 December 2008 in Speeches
QUESTIONS WITHOUT NOTICE - Murray-Darling River System
Mr BRIGGS (Mayo) (3:07 PM) —My question is to the Acting Prime Minister. I refer the Acting Prime Minister to the letter I am holding from the Alexandrina Council, which covers the Lower Lakes that are in my electorate, delivered to the Prime Minister yesterday and calling for the government to deliver an extra 60 billion litres of water to save the Lower Lakes.
Honourable members interjecting—
The SPEAKER —Order! The member ... »
04 December 2008 in Speeches
BROADCASTING LEGISLATION AMENDMENT (DIGITAL TELEVISION SWITCH-OVER) BILL 2008 - Consideration of Senate Message
Mr BRIGGS (Mayo) (9:34 AM) —I will be brief in order to assist in the functioning of the House. I have a significant issue about TV reception in my electorate. The district council area of Yankalilla is one of the most beautiful parts of Australia, and I urge all members on the other side of the House to come and visit Yankalilla at some point. Yankalilla has a topography wh... »
03 December 2008 in Speeches
SCHOOLS ASSISTANCE BILL 2008 - Consideration of Senate Message
Mr BRIGGS (Mayo) (12:19 PM) —I rise to support the shadow minister, the member for Sturt, and to support amendment (4) passed by the Senate last evening. What we saw before was typical of the Deputy Prime Minister where she puts words into people’s mouths and verbals people. She made the claim that we do not support education. That was the claim she made when she stood up and spoke. That is completely untrue. I spoke very ... »