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This website is in imminent danger of being shut down. It has been online since 1995, but the personal circumstances of the owner, Malcolm Farnsworth, are such that economies have to be made. Server costs and suchlike have become prohibitive. At the urging of people online, I have agreed to see if Patreon provides a solution. More information is available at the Patreon website. If you are able to contribute even $1.00/month to keep the site running, please click the Patreon button below.


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Minor Changes To Opposition Shadow Ministry; Dodson Promoted To Executive In First Week As A Senator

May 04, 2016

Opposition Leader Bill Shorten has made a number of changes to his Shadow Ministry, including the promotion of just-appointed Senator Patrick Dodson

The changes are as a result of the parliamentary retirement of Gary Gray, (Brand-WA), who held the posts of Shadow Minister for Resources and Shadow Minister for Northern Australia.

The Resources portfolio goes to Jason Clare, (Blaxland-NSW). He will be assisted by new Shadow Assistant Minister for Resources, Jim Chalmers, (Rankin-Qld).

Shayne Neumann, (Blair-Qld), becomes Shadow Minister for Northern Australia.

The new Shadow Minister for Regional Communications will be Stephen Jones, (Throsby-NSW).

Senator Dodson (WA) becomes Shadow Parliamentary Secretary to the Leader. He took up his Senate seat three days ago. [Read more…]

Filed Under: A.L.P., Opposition, Shadow Ministries Tagged With: , , , , , ,

Minor Changes To ALP Shadow Ministry; Parke Gone, Jones And MacTiernan Promoted

Mar 04, 2014

The Leader of the Opposition, Bill Shorten, has issued a revised list of ALP shadow ministers and shadow parliamentary secretaries, following the resignation of Melissa Parke.

Parke, the member for Fremantle, resigned as Shadow Assistant Minister for Health for personal and family reasons.

Stephen Jones, the member for Throsby since 2010, formerly the Shadow Parliamentary Secretary for Regional Development and Infrastructure, has been appointed Shadow Assistant Minister for Health.

Alannah MacTiernan, the newly-elected member for Perth, has moved into the Regional Development portfolio. Her elevation ensures Western Australia’s representation in the shadow executive remains unchanged. [Read more…]

Filed Under: A.L.P., Shadow Ministries Tagged With: , , , ,

Dealing With Craig Thomson: An Impressive MPI Debate

May 22, 2012

An impressive Matter of Public Importance debate took place in the House of Representatives this afternoon.

The MPI was devoted to the issue of how the House should treat Craig Thomson, the member for Dobell, in the light of allegations against him and his statement to the House yesterday.

Debate revolved around the nature of a censure and the arguments for and against suspending Thomson from the service of the House. [Read more…]

Filed Under: Audio, Gillard, Parliament, Political History Tagged With: , , , , , , , , ,

House of Representatives Debates Gay Marriage Resolution

Nov 15, 2010

An impressive debate began in the House of Representatives tonight on a motion by the Greens member, Adam Bandt, calling on parliamentarians to gauge their constituents’ views on the issue of marriage equality.

Bandt’s motion reads:

That this House:

(1) notes there is:

(a) a growing list of countries that allow same-sex couples to marry including the Netherlands, Belgium, Norway, SPain, Canada and South Africa; and

(b) widespread support for equal marriage in the Australian community; and

(2) calls on all parliamentarians to gauge their constituents’ views on the issue of marriage equality.

Speaking to the motion, Bandt said, “there have been many attempts through history to limit love and all have failed”. The text of his speech is at the end of this page. [Read more…]

Filed Under: A.L.P., Audio, Backbenchers, Equality, Gillard, Greens, Issues, LGBTI, Liberal Party Tagged With: , , , , , , , , , , ,