Ms Vamvakinou (Calwell) (5:11 PM) —It is always a pleasure to follow the member for Maranoa. I rise today to speak on Appropriation Bill (No. 3) 2009-2010 and Appropriation Bill (No. 4) 2009-2010 and to congratulate the government on its ongoing commitment to assuring Australia’s immediate economic wellbeing while at the same time building for our country’s domestic and international future.

Ms Vamvakinou (Calwell) (7:55 PM) —I rise tonight to speak about our community’s recent celebration of Australia Day. I was pleased to attend another Australia Day citizenship ceremony in my electorate of Calwell. All our monthly citizenship ceremonies are important and I always enjoy attending whenever possible, but the Australia Day ceremony is always very special.

Ms Vamvakinou (Calwell) (6:40 PM) —I rise today to speak in support of the Textile, Clothing and Footwear Strategic Investment Program Amendment (Building Innovative Capability) Bill 2009. I welcome the introduction the bill before us today, which is primarily designed to help strengthen Australia’s innovative capability and productive capacity in these vital industries.

Ms Vamvakinou (Calwell) (9:21 PM) —On behalf of the Standing Committee on Industry, Science and Innovation, I present the committee’s report entitled Seasonal forecasting in Australia, together with the minutes of proceedings.

Ordered that the report be made a parliamentary paper.

Ms Vamvakinou (Calwell) (4:11 PM) —I rise today in support of the Crimes Legislation Amendment (Torture Prohibition and Death Penalty Abolition) Bill 2009. I want to welcome the efforts of the Attorney-General, the Hon. Robert McClelland, for introducing this very important piece of legislation that goes very much to the heart of our national judicial framework.

Ms Vamvakinou (Calwell) (4:25 PM) —Last Wednesday I was pleased to stand alongside the Speaker of the House, the Hon. Harry Jenkins, and jointly host the inaugural Taste of Plenty Expo here in Parliament House. The Taste of Plenty Expo showcased food and beverages from throughout the Plenty Valley region. This region takes in most of my electorate of Calwell and the electorate of Scullin.

Ms Vamvakinou (Calwell) (9:14 PM) —I would like to begin by congratulating the member for Kingston for bringing to the House this evening this very important motion on the sexualisation and objectification of girls in the mainstream media. The relationship between modern media and our children is of ever-increasing importance to us all. It is a complicated issue that becomes more challenging as the media and corporate interests seek new and innovative ways to influence and encourage the thoughts and behaviour of children and, in particular, young girls.

Ms VAMVAKINOU (Calwell) (8:02 PM) —I rise tonight to speak on the very important social issue of homelessness and I want to begin by congratulating the member for Lindsay for bringing the issue of homelessness to this chamber. It is hard to talk about homelessness without talking about a denial of the opportunities afforded to most Australians—opportunities which exist on the premise that a person is living in the comfort and security of a stable home. On any given night up to 105,000 of our fellow Australians are homeless, divorced of the connection to all that was once theirs and, from it, losing all opportunities that would otherwise be available to them. With a lack of a point of stability, it is difficult for homeless people not only to obtain and keep a job but also to participate in many other of life’s aspects.