Speeches

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES PROOF ADJOURNMENT Hinkler: Agriculture Industry | World Records | Next Level | Vale Alf Bonanno | Mr BATT (Hinkler—Deputy Nationals Whip) (16:39) Labor is going after our sweet and iconic pineapples. If we don’t stop this soon, next it will be our nuts—a low blow for some growers, perhaps even a knockout. When will…

CONSTITUENCY STATEMENTS Hinkler Electorate: Disaster and Emergency Management Hinkler Electorate: Emergency Services Mr BATT (Hinkler—Deputy Nationals Whip) (16:34): As the weather warms up, communities across Hinkler are preparing for another summer of storms, flooding and possible cyclones. Our fire season is already proving active and volatile, and that is why I’m pleased Labor was forced…

STATEMENTS BY MEMBERS Small Business Mr BATT (Hinkler—Deputy Nationals Whip) (13:42): Time and time again we see this Labor government backing down and reversing decisions, so let’s hope, for the sake of small businesses in Hinkler, they get on with fixing more of the mess that they’ve made. Even better, how about they don’t go…

PRIVATE MEMBERS’ BUSINESS National Disability Insurance Agency Mr BATT (Hinkler—Deputy Nationals Whip) (11:55): I rise to second the motion moved by the member for Cowper. This motion calls for the desperate need to fix the National Disability Insurance Agency and find a better deal for the Australians who depend on it. In Hinkler, we have…

BILLS Private Health Insurance Amendment (Modernising the Private Health Insurance Rebate) Bill 2026 Second Reading Mr BATT (Hinkler—Deputy Nationals Whip) (17:07):   I rise to speak in opposition to the Private Health Insurance Amendment (Modernising the Private Health Insurance Rebate) Bill 2026. My electorate of Hinkler has the second-highest percentage of people aged over 65…

STATEMENTS BY MEMBERS Working Holiday Maker Program Mr BATT (Hinkler—Deputy Nationals Whip) (16:42): The pause on visa applications for working holiday makers is hitting Hinkler hard. It’s hurting hospitality, it’s terrible for tourism, and it’s failing our farmers. We need a system which supports young people from overseas to fill labour shortages while travelling in…

STATEMENTS BY MEMBERS Parliamentary Friends of Cricket Housing Aged Care   Mr BATT (Hinkler—Deputy Nationals Whip) (13:39): Last night, here in Parliament House, the Parliamentary Friends of Cricket came together to celebrate the great game of cricket, our recent successes and the tantalising summer ahead. It was great to catch up with Scotty Boland and…

BILLS Passenger Movement Charge Amendment Bill 2026 Second Reading Mr BATT (Hinkler—Deputy Nationals Whip) (11:11): I rise to speak in opposition to the Passenger Movement Charge Amendment Bill 2026. Through this bill, Labor wants to legislate an increase to the passenger movement charge, otherwise known as Australia’s departure tax, so that anyone who leaves our…

CONSTITUENCY STATEMENTS Mental Health Boyd, Mr Darius BUSHkids May, Mr Andrew   Mr BATT (Hinkler—Deputy Nationals Whip) (10:08): Are you okay? That’s the No. 1 question to be asked today across Australia. Today is Suicide Prevention Day, a day of action encouraging all of us to have meaningful conversations. I was proud to be a…

STATEMENTS BY MEMBERS Aged Care Mr BATT (Hinkler—Deputy Nationals Whip) (13:39):   What did older Australians do to deserve to be treated so badly by this Labor government? The electorate of Hinkler is serviced by the Wide Bay Hospital and Health Service, and, at last count, 117 mostly elderly people remain stuck in our hospitals…