Senate debates
Wednesday, 29 March 2006
- Australian Broadcasting Corporation Amendment Bill 2006; Migration Amendment (Employer Sanctions) Bill 2006; National Health and Medical Research Council Amendment Bill 2006; Superannuation Legislation Amendment (Trustee Board and Other Measures) Bill 2006 (0 speeches)
- First Reading (1 speech)
I, and also at the request of the Minister for Communications, Information Technology and the Arts (Senator Coonan), the Minister for Immigration and Multicultural Affairs (Senator Vanstone) and...
- Second Reading (1 speech)
I table the explanatory memoranda relating to the bills and move: That these bills be now read a second time. I seek leave to have the second reading speeches incorporated in Hansard. Leave...
- Snowy Hydro Limited (0 speeches)
- (21 speeches)
I move: That, for the purposes of subsection 7(3) of the Snowy Hydro Corporatisation Act 1997, the Senate approves the transfer or disposal of the Commonwealth shares in the Snowy Hydro Company...
- Telecommunications (Interception) Amendment Bill 2006 (0 speeches)
- In Committee (32 speeches)
Consideration resumed from 28 March.
- Matters of Public Interest (0 speeches)
- (1 speech)
Order! It being 12.45 pm, I call on matters of public interest.
- Australia on the Map Project (1 speech)
This year is the 400th anniversary of the first recorded sighting of the Australian coast by European navigators. The Australia on the Map Project is dedicated to commemorating the 400th...
- Hillsong Emerge (9 speeches)
I rise to speak today about a number of issues that have been raised in the House of Representatives recently regarding Hillsong. Senators do not need to be told by me that the 2004 federal...
- Skilled Migration (1 speech)
Today I want to put a very important issue before the Senate—that is, what has happened in Western Australia with respect to the response of the Department of Immigration and Multicultural...
- Sex Education (1 speech)
I want to speak today on the subject of sex education. There is nothing more controversial than the topic of abortion, of course, but the topic of young people and sex runs a very close second....
- Guantanamo Bay (1 speech)
I rise to speak again on behalf of one of my South Australian constituents David Hicks, who is being held in Guantanamo Bay by the US administration, and to call again on the government to take...
- West Papua (1 speech)
I want to inform the Senate about a meeting that occurred in parliament yesterday of the Parliamentarians for West Papua Group. We were addressed yesterday by a human rights worker from West...
- Cyclone Larry (1 speech)
I will take the opportunity in the five minutes we have left to complete a speech that I started last Monday night in the chamber. I was advising the Senate about how North Queensland is faring...
- Questions without Notice (0 speeches)
- Workplace Relations (29 speeches)
My question is to Senator Abetz, the Minister representing the Minister for Employment and Workplace Relations in this place. Is the minister aware of comments by the President of the Australian...
- Aged Care (2 speeches)
My question is to the Minister for Ageing, Senator Santoro. Would the minister please inform the Senate of steps taken by the government to protect the finances of Australians in aged care...
- Workplace Relations (9 speeches)
My question is to Senator Abetz, the Minister representing the Minister for Employment and Workplace Relations. Can the minister confirm that under the government’s new workplace laws...
- Internet Services (2 speeches)
My question is directed to the Minister for Communications, Information Technology and the Arts, Senator the Hon. Helen Coonan. Will the minister advise the Senate what the government is doing to...
- Distinguished Visitors (0 speeches)
- (2 speeches)
Order! I draw the attention of honourable senators to the presence in the President’s gallery of an Australian Political Exchange Council delegation from our friends across the Tasman in...
- Questions without Notice (0 speeches)
- Uranium Exports (6 speeches)
My question is to the Minister representing the Minister for Industry, Tourism and Resources. Minister, exactly what safeguards has the government negotiated in its deal to sell uranium to China,...
- Westpoint Collapse (11 speeches)
My question is to Senator Minchin, representing the Treasurer. I refer to the Westpoint scandal in which thousands of Australians, many of whom are elderly and retired, have lost up to $400...
- West Papua (4 speeches)
My question is to the Minister representing the Minister for Foreign Affairs. It relates to the UN-supervised Act of Free Choice in 1969 in West Papua, when 1,022 hand-picked voters chose...
- Australian Broadcasting Corporation: Funding (10 speeches)
My question is to Senator Coonan, the Minister for Communications, Information Technology and the Arts. I refer the minister to comments by the Prime Minister that he was prepared to examine...
- Commonwealth Games (9 speeches)
My question is to the Minister for the Arts and Sport, Senator Kemp. Will the minister update the Senate on the results of the Melbourne Commonwealth Games drug testing regime? Will he also...
- Questions without Notice: Additional Answers (0 speeches)
- Australia-China Nuclear Safeguards Agreement (1 speech)
Senator Milne asked me a question and a supplementary question yesterday in relation to proposed nuclear safeguards agreements with China. I have an answer to her supplementary question, which I...
- Answers to Questions on Notice (0 speeches)
- Question Nos 1333, 1353, 1355 and 1369 (4 speeches)
My question is to the Minister representing the Minister for Defence, Senator Ian Campbell, and it is pursuant to standing order 74(5). I ask the Minister representing the Minister for Defence...
- Questions without Notice: Take Note of Answers (0 speeches)
- Workplace Relations (6 speeches)
I move: That the Senate take note of the answers given by the Minister for Fisheries, Forestry and Conservation (Senator Abetz) to questions without notice asked today relating to changes to...
- Westpoint Collapse (1 speech)
I move: That the Senate take note of the answer given by the Minister for Finance and Administration (Senator Minchin) to a question without notice asked by Senator Sherry today relating to the...
- Uranium Exports (1 speech)
I move: That the Senate take note of the answer given by the Minister for the Environment and Heritage (Senator Ian Campbell) to a question without notice asked by Senator Ronaldson today...
- Petitions (0 speeches)
- (1 speech)
The Clerk: Petitions have been lodged for presentation as follows:
- Notices (0 speeches)
- Presentation (0 speeches)
Senator Allison to move on the next day of sitting:That the following bill be introduced: A Bill for an Act to amend the Broadcasting Services Act 1992 to encourage healthier eating habits among...
- Postponement (0 speeches)
The following item of business was postponed: Business of the Senate notice of motion no. 3 standing in the name of the Leader of the Australian Democrats (Senator Allison) for today, proposing...
- Committees (0 speeches)
- Migration Committee; Meetings (1 speech)
At the request of Senator Kirk, I move:That the Joint Standing Committee on Migration be authorised to hold private meetings otherwise than in accordance with standing order 33(1) during the...
- MR Kevin Charles 'pro' Hart, Mbe (0 speeches)
- (1 speech)
At the request of Minister for the Arts and Sport, Senator Kemp, and the Minister for Communications, Information Technology and the Arts, Senator Coonan, I move:That the Senate—(a)notes...
- West Papuan Asylum Seekers (0 speeches)
- (1 speech)
by leave—At the request of Senator Stott Despoja, I move the motion as amended:That the Senate—(a)acknowledges:(i)the provision of Temporary Protection Visas by the Department of...
- Committees (0 speeches)
- Palestinian Land Day (0 speeches)
- (2 speeches)
I move:That the Senate—(a)notes:(i)that Thursday, 30 March 2006 is Palestinian Land Day, and(ii)the statement by the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, Mr Tony Blair, to the Australian...
- Committees (0 speeches)
- Scrutiny of Bills Committee; Report (1 speech)
On behalf of the chair, I present the second report of 2006 of the Senate Standing Committee for the Scrutiny of Bills. I also lay on the table Scrutiny of Bills Alert Digest No. 3 of 2006, dated...
- Budget (0 speeches)
- Committees (0 speeches)
- Public Works Committee; Reports (1 speech)
On behalf of the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Public Works, I present the following reports: 4th report of 2006 – Proposed fit-out of an extension to leased premises for IP...
- Legislation Committees; Reports (1 speech)
Pursuant to order and at the request of the chairs of the respective committees, I present reports on the examination of annual reports tabled by 31 October 2005. Ordered that the reports be printed.
- Documents (0 speeches)
- Responses to Senate Resolutions (1 speech)
I present a response from the ACT Chief Minister, Mr Stanhope, to a resolution of the Senate of 1 March 2006 concerning aged care.
- Family Assistance, Social Security and Veterans’ Affairs Legislation Amendment (2005 Budget and Other Measures) Bill 2006 (0 speeches)
- First Reading (1 speech)
Bill received from the House of Representatives.
- Second Reading (1 speech)
I move: That this bill be now read a second time. I seek leave to have the second reading speech incorporated in Hansard. Leave granted. The speech read as follows— This bill will amend the...
- Health Legislation Amendment (Pharmacy Location Arrangements) Bill 2006 (0 speeches)
- First Reading (1 speech)
Bill received from the House of Representatives.
- Second Reading (1 speech)
I move: That this bill be now read a second time. I seek leave to have the second reading speech incorporated in Hansard. Leave granted. The speech read as follows— This bill proposes a...
- Energy Efficiency Opportunities Bill 2005 (0 speeches)
- Returned from the House of Representatives (0 speeches)
Message received from the House of Representatives informing the Senate that the House has agreed to the amendments made by the Senate in the Energy Efficiency Opportunities Bill 2005.
- Census Information Legislation Amendment Bill 2006; Trade Practices Amendment (Personal Injuries and Death) Bill 2006; Future Fund Bill 2006 (0 speeches)
- Assent (0 speeches)
Message from His Excellency the Governor-General was reported, informing the Senate that he had assented to the bills. (Quorum formed)
- Guide to the Assessment of the Degree of Permanent Impairment - Second Edition (0 speeches)
- Motion for Disallowance (2 speeches)
At the request of Senator Wong, I move:That the Guide to the Assessment of the Degree of Permanent Impairment [second edition], made under subsection 28(1) of the Safety, Rehabilitation and...
- Declaration of Percentage of Commonwealth Supported Places (0 speeches)
- Motion for Disallowance (12 speeches)
I move:That the Declaration of percentage of Commonwealth supported places to be provided by Table A providers for a course of study in medicine, made under paragraph 36-35(1)(b) of the Higher...
- Committees (0 speeches)
- Business (0 speeches)
- Rearrangement (1 speech)
by leave—I move: That, on Wednesday, 29 March 2006:(a)the hours of meeting shall be 9.30 am till not later than 11.40 pm;(b)the question for the adjournment of the Senate shall be proposed...
- Notices (0 speeches)
- Withdrawal (1 speech)
At the request of the Leader of the Australian Greens (Senator Bob Brown), I withdraw business of the Senate notice of motion No. 6, standing in the name of Senator Bob Brown for today, proposing...
- Telecommunications (Interception) Amendment Bill 2006 (0 speeches)
- Family Assistance, Social Security and Veterans’ Affairs Legislation Amendment (2005 Budget and Other Measures) Bill 2006 (0 speeches)
- Health Legislation Amendment (Pharmacy Location Arrangements) Bill 2006 (0 speeches)
- Second Reading (1 speech)
Debate resumed.
- Third Reading (0 speeches)
Bill passed through its remaining stages without amendment or debate.
- Therapeutic Goods Amendment Bill 2005 (0 speeches)
- Second Reading (2 speeches)
Debate resumed from 28 November 2005, on motion by Senator Colbeck: That this bill be now read a second time.
- Third Reading (0 speeches)
Bill passed through its remaining stages without amendment or debate.
- Bankruptcy Legislation Amendment (Fees and Charges) Bill 2006 (0 speeches)
- First Reading (1 speech)
Bill received from the House of Representatives.
- Second Reading (7 speeches)
I move: That this bill be now read a second time. I seek leave to have the second reading speech incorporated in Hansard. Leave granted. The speech read as follows— The Bankruptcy...
- Third Reading (0 speeches)
Bill passed through its remaining stages without amendment or debate.
- Bankruptcy Legislation Amendment (Anti-Avoidance) Bill 2006 (0 speeches)
- Second Reading (4 speeches)
Debate resumed from 27 March, on motion by Senator Santoro: That this bill be now read a second time.
- Third Reading (0 speeches)
Bill passed through its remaining stages without amendment or debate.
- Ministers of State Amendment Bill 2005 (0 speeches)
- Second Reading (1 speech)
Debate resumed from 1 March, on motion by Senator Kemp: That this bill be now read a second time.
- Third Reading (0 speeches)
Bill passed through its remaining stages without amendment or debate.
- Postal Industry Ombudsman Bill 2005 [2006] (0 speeches)
- Appropriation Bill (No. 3) 2005-2006; Appropriation Bill (No. 4) 2005-2006 (0 speeches)
- Second Reading (11 speeches)
Debate resumed from 27 February, on motion by Senator Kemp: That these bills be now read a second time.
- Business (0 speeches)
- Rearrangement (1 speech)
by leave—I move: That, on Thursday, 30 March 2006, the routine of business be varied to provide that the government business orders relating to the following bills be considered immediately...
- Adjournment (0 speeches)
- (1 speech)
I move: That the Senate do now adjourn.
- Mental Health: Mount Hawthorn (5 speeches)
In this adjournment debate I would like to make a contribution, and I want to talk of injustice, a total lack of consultation by a very arrogant state government in my home state of Western...
- Child Sexual Assault (1 speech)
I thought for my adjournment speech tonight I would try again to raise the appalling crime of child sexual assault, both past and present. I was prompted to do so by an article sent to me by one...
- Trade: Live Animal Exports (1 speech)
I rise to speak in strong defence of the live sheep and cattle trade in Australia, in particular in my state of Victoria. It is a significant export industry for Australia and a crucial market...
- Community Pharmacies (1 speech)
Tonight I wish to raise some concerns about aspects of the cost savings proposals for the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme—often known as the PBS—and the impact that these savings are...
- Documents (0 speeches)
- Tabling (0 speeches)
The following government documents were tabled: Australian Radiation Protection and Nuclear Safety Agency—Quarterly report for the period 1 July to 30 September 2005. Migration Act 1958...
- Indexed Lists of Files (0 speeches)
The following documents were tabled pursuant to the order of the Senate of 30 May 1996, as amended: Indexed lists of departmental and agency files for the period 1 July to 31 December...
- Departmental and Agency Contracts (0 speeches)
The following documents were tabled pursuant to the order of the Senate of 20 June 2001, as amended: Departmental and agency contracts for 2005—Letters of advice— Agriculture,...
