Speeches

I begin my speech by taking the unusual step of recognising the contribution made by the member for Riverstone. I do that because he said in the Chamber that this…

 I use the opportunity of my last speech of the year to invite the Premier to come up to the electorate of Cessnock to help me campaign. The reality is…

As members of Parliament, we often try to give voice to those who are voiceless. Today I draw attention to the apparent backlog of maintenance issues with Housing NSW properties…

I welcome to the gallery those people who are here to honour Thomas George, the member for Lismore. What a wonderful man—and I say that as one who sits on…

It should come as no surprise that the member for Cessnock, the electorate of which takes in the beautiful Hunter Valley vineyards, would rise to speak about the NSW Wine…

I had a different speech planned for tonight. I will not take up my whole five minutes because I know that everyone wants to get out of here, but I…

I have spoken before in this House about the Butterfly Cave, which is a beautiful natural sandstone cave that happens to be a place where butterflies breed. More importantly, it…

onight I speak about the expansion of Cessnock jail. Previously it had an 800‑prisoner capacity; as of next year, it will be 1,800. It will be the largest single prison…

Today’s front page of the Cessnock Advertiser screams: “Will it take a death?” This is the daily concern of Weston residents who fear someone will lose their life at the…

Mr CLAYTON BARR ( Cessnock ) ( 18:09 ): I pay tribute to the ability of three government departments in my electorate, producing absolutely nothing, for stalling over the past…