Address to 20th Conference of Education Ministers

Thank-you for that introduction. Thank you to Madam Chair, the Fijian Government, Secretary-General and Commonwealth Secretariat participants for your respective notes in this excellent conference. I am delighted to be here today to speak about Sustainable Development Goal 4 (SDG4) and skills. As many, if not all, here today would agree, technical and vocational skills…

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2018 CCEM Presentation

Thank-you for that introduction. Thank you to Madam Chair, the Fijian Government, Secretary-General and Commonwealth Secretariat participants for your respective notes in this excellent conference. I am delighted to be here today to speak about Sustainable Development Goal 4 (SDG4) and skills.   As many, if not all, here today would agree, technical and vocational skills…

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Marriage Amendment (Definition and Religious Freedoms) Bill 2017

I rise to speak on the Marriage Amendment (Definition and Religious Freedoms) Bill 2017. There are two indisputable facts that have arisen in the public debate on same-sex marriage: (1) Australians have voted overwhelmingly to change the definition of marriage to include same-sex couples; and (2) Australians want to ensure that religious freedoms are safeguarded.…

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Constituency Statement: McPherson update

One of the ways the Turnbull government supports local communities and community based organisations is through the Stronger Communities Fund. Over the last few weeks I've had the pleasure of contacting a number of organisations in my electorate of McPherson to let them know that they have been successful in their application for funding under…

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AUSTRALIAN TRAINING AWARDS 2017

I’m delighted to host this national celebration of the exceptional achievements of those in our vocational education and training system. Now in its 24th year, the Australian Training Awards recognise excellence, accomplishment and success in VET.  Of course, as you all know, success doesn’t just happen on its own.  As I recently heard one vocational…

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Speech to the Australian Steel Convention

Good morning, it’s a pleasure to be with you all today. Call me biased, but can I commend you on your excellent choice of the Gold Coast as the location for this year’s Convention – which is also my home town. Once the hard work is done, I hope you will have a chance to…

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Speech to the VELG Conference

Good morning and thank you for the opportunity to address this conference.The VELG conference is always a highlight on the vocational education calendar, attracting people from all over the sector.  You are the people at the forefront of vocational education and training in this country, who recognise its intrinsic value and critical importance – both…

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Matter of Public Importance – 12 September 2017

It is an absolute delight for me to be able to speak on the MPI today. I absolutely support the reforms that the Turnbull government is making to higher education. From a local point of view, the electorate that I represent on the Gold Coast has two universities in it, and in fact there are…

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