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Speeches

PRIVATE MEMBERS’ MOTION: Palestinian-Israeli Conflict

Ms Vamvakinou: To move—That the House:

(1) recognises the social, economic and human cost of the current Palestinian-Israeli conflict;
(2) notes the broader implications of the Palestinian-Israeli conflict in terms of regional stability as well as diplomatic relations in the Middle East;

EXPORT MARKET DEVELOPMENT GRANTS AMENDMENT BILL 2008

Ms VAMVAKINOU (Calwell) (6.22 p.m.)—Ensuring that Australia has a vibrant export industry, one with strong prospects for future expansion and growth, is fundamental to the long-term health of our nation’s economy. For many Australian firms, turning to export markets overseas offers enormous opportunities in revenue growth, job creation and product diversification. Like many in this country, I strongly believe that there is an enormous potential in Australia to see export growth across a range of different industries and sectors.

GRIEVANCE DEBATE: Automotive Industry

Ms VAMVAKINOU (Calwell) (9.05 p.m.)—I rise tonight to speak about the challenges facing Australia’s car-manufacturing industry and about the importance of this industry to my electorate of Calwell. I do so in the context of nearly 600 job losses announced by South Pacific Tyres in late June this year and Ford’s announcement some two weeks ago that it would shed a further 350 jobs in its Broadmeadows and Geelong plants. Both South Pacific Tyres and the Ford assembly plant are located in my electorate of Calwell.

PRIVATE MEMBERS’ BUSINESS:Workplace factors

Ms VAMVAKINOU (Calwell) (7.05 p.m.)—It is possible that the Australian skills college in the member for Herbert’s electorate may be the best-performing college in the country, given that the rest of them have been an abysmal failure and an extreme waste of taxpayers’ money—misdirected public funds.

ADJOURNMENT: Bridgewater Aged Care Facility

Ms VAMVAKINOU (Calwell) (12.04 p.m.)—I want to speak today about the residents and staff at the Bridgewater Aged Care Facility in Roxburgh Park, which is in my electorate of Calwell. In particular, I want to acknowledge the resilience and courage they have shown over the last few weeks during what has been a very difficult time for them and their families. On 20 May, Bridgewater Aged Care Facility went into administration, leaving its 98 residents and approximately 156 staff facing a very uncertain future. Late last year, I had the opportunity to visit Bridgewater; it was the third or fourth visit I had made to that facility in the last couple of years. During my visit last year, I had morning tea and conversation with many of the residents and staff at the facility. I even tried, albeit somewhat unsuccessfully, to play a bit of bocce, which is one of their favourite indoor games.

Address-in-Reply: GOVERNOR-GENERAL’S SPEECH

Ms VAMVAKINOU (Calwell) (7.03 p.m.)—It is indeed a privilege and a relief to finally be given the opportunity to give my speech in the address-in -reply debate. I want to begin by thanking the people of Calwell for their generous support and endorsement in last year’s federal election.

Budget-in-Reply

Ms VAMVAKINOU (Calwell) (10.24 p.m.)—The 2008 budget, the first handed down by the Rudd government, delivers on the election commitments we made to the Australian people last year. It is a budget that both invests in Australia’s future and provides real and tangible support for working families in my electorate of Calwell to help them cope with today’s rising cost of living and all the pressures associated with that. In particular, the government’s $55 billion Working Families Support Package puts the needs of working families squarely at the heart of this budget.

Launch of the Melbourne Airport Economic Impact Study

Launch of the Melbourne Airport Economic Impact Study

Hilton Hotel Melbourne Airport

Wednesday 2 April, 10am 

Ms Maria Vamvakinou MP

Federal Member for Calwell   

 

To my Parliamentary colleague Liz Beattie, State Member for Yuroke; Chris Woodruff, Chief Executive Officer of Melbourne Airport, distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen, it gives me great pleasure to be with you today to help launch the Melbourne Airport Economic Impact Study.