Senate debates
Thursday, 14 September 2006
- Petitions (0 speeches)
- (1 speech)
The Clerk: Petitions have been lodged for presentation as follows:
- Notices (0 speeches)
- Presentation (0 speeches)
Senator Watson to move on the next day of sitting:That the Joint Committee of Public Accounts and Audit be authorised to hold public meetings during the sitting of the Senate as follows:(a)to...
- Committees (0 speeches)
- Selection of Bills Committee; Report (2 speeches)
I present the 10th report of 2006 of the Selection of Bills Committee and move: That the report be adopted. I seek leave to have the report incorporated in Hansard. Leave granted. The report read...
- Business (0 speeches)
- Rearrangement (1 speech)
I move: That the following government business orders of the day be considered from 12.45 pm till not later than 2 pm today: No. 5 National Health...
- Committees (0 speeches)
- Community Affairs Committee; Reference (10 speeches)
I ask that business of the Senate notice of motion No. 2, proposing the reference of a matter to a committee, be taken as formal.
- Withdrawal (1 speech)
I withdraw general business notice of motion No. 1 standing in my name.
- Broadcasting Legislation Amendment (Digital Television) Bill 2006; Broadcasting Services Amendment (Media Ownership) Bill 2006; Crimes Amendment (Bail and Sentencing) Bill 2006; Financial Sector Legislation Amendment (Trans-Tasman Banking Supervision) Bill 2006 (0 speeches)
- First Reading (1 speech)
At the request of Senator Coonan, I move: That the following bills be introduced:A Bill for an Act to amend the law relating to broadcasting, and for other purposes.A Bill for an Act to amend the...
- 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...
- Climate Change in the Pacific Region (0 speeches)
- (1 speech)
I move:That the Senate—(a)notes:(i)the formation of a group, the Pacific Calling Partnership, made up of organisations and individuals who recognise Australia’s ecological debt to its...
- Migration Act (0 speeches)
- (1 speech)
At the request of Senator Bartlett, I move:That the Senate—(a)notes that:(i)26 September 2006 marks the 5th anniversary of the guillotining through the Senate of seven separate pieces of...
- Nuclear Tests at Maralinga (0 speeches)
- (1 speech)
I move:That the Senate—(a)notes that:(i)27 September 2006 is the 50th anniversary of the first of the nuclear tests at Maralinga,(ii)the nuclear tests resulted in fallout over most of...
- Foreign Press in China (0 speeches)
- (1 speech)
I move:That the Senate—(a)notes the imposition of new restrictions on the distribution of foreign news in China;(b)condemns any move by the Chinese Government to impose unfair restrictions...
- Genetically Engineered Plants (0 speeches)
- (1 speech)
I move:That the Senate—(a)notes the recent escape of the glycophosphate-resistant genetically-engineered (GE) grass, known as creeping bentgrass (Agrostis stolonifera) in Oregon, United...
- Social Security (Helping Pensioners Hit by the Skills Shortage) Bill 2006 (0 speeches)
- First Reading (1 speech)
At the request of Senator Evans I move: That the following bill be introduced: A Bill for an Act to amend the Social Security Act 1991, to assist those who have had their pension cut because of...
- Second Reading (1 speech)
I move: That this bill be now read a second time. I seek leave to table the explanatory memorandum and have the second reading speech incorporated in Hansard. Leave granted. The speech read as...
- Condolences (0 speeches)
- Mr Hakim Taniwal (1 speech)
by leave—I move: That the Senate—(a)records its deep regret at the death, on Sunday, 10 September 2006, of Mr Hakim Taniwal who was killed by a suicide bomber in...
- Euthanasia (0 speeches)
- Committees (0 speeches)
- Publications Committee; Report (1 speech)
On behalf of the Publications Committee, I present the 15th report of the committee. I move: That the report be adopted. Question agreed to.
- Budget (0 speeches)
- National Cattle Disease Eradication Account Amendment Bill 2006; Education Services for Overseas Students Legislation Amendment (2006 Measures No. 1) Bill 2006; Education Services for Overseas Students Legislation Amendment (2006 Measures No. 2) Bill 2006 (0 speeches)
- First Reading (1 speech)
Bills received from the House of Representatives.
- Second Reading (1 speech)
I move: That these bills be now read a second time. I seek leave to have the second reading speeches incorporated in Hansard. Leave granted. The speeches read as follows— NATIONAL CATTLE...
- Maritime Transport and Offshore Facilities Security Amendment (Maritime Security Guards and Other Measures) Bill 2005 [2006] (0 speeches)
- Committees (0 speeches)
- Superannuation Legislation Amendment (Superannuation Safety and Other Measures) Bill 2005 (0 speeches)
- In Committee (9 speeches)
Consideration resumed from 13 September. Bill—by leave—taken as a whole.
- Third Reading (1 speech)
I move: That this bill be now read a third time. Question agreed to. Bill read a third time.
- Business (0 speeches)
- Rearrangement (1 speech)
I move: That government business order of the day no. 2 (Customs Legislation Amendment (Border Compliance and Other Measures) Bill 2006), be postponed till the next day of sitting. Question agreed to.
- Health Insurance Amendment (Medical Specialists) Bill 2005 (0 speeches)
- Second Reading (7 speeches)
Debate resumed from 18 August 2005, on motion by Senator Minchin: That this bill be now read a second time.
- In Committee (5 speeches)
Bill—by leave—taken as a whole.
- Third Reading (1 speech)
I move: That this bill be now read a third time. Question agreed to. Bill read a third time.
- MR John Vander Wyk (0 speeches)
- (5 speeches)
by leave—On behalf of the government, I want to note with great regret on our part that an esteemed and highly respected member of the Senate staff, Mr John Vander Wyk, has announced his...
- National Health Amendment (Immunisation) Bill 2006 (0 speeches)
- Second Reading (2 speeches)
Debate resumed from 6 September, on motion by Senator Abetz: That this bill be now read a second time.
- Third Reading (0 speeches)
Bill passed through its remaining stages without amendment or debate.
- MR John Vander Wyk (0 speeches)
- (1 speech)
by leave—I want to take the opportunity to make some very short remarks on the retirement of the Assistant Clerk, John Vander Wyk, who is in the chamber at the moment. I know he will be...
- Business (0 speeches)
- Rearrangement (1 speech)
I move: That government business order of the day no. 6 (Intellectual Property Laws Amendment Bill 2006) be postponed till after consideration of government business order of the day no. 9...
- Social Security and Family Assistance Legislation Amendment (Miscellaneous Measures) Bill 2006 (0 speeches)
- Second Reading (1 speech)
Debate resumed from 16 August, on motion by Senator Ian Campbell: That this bill be now read a second time.
- Third Reading (0 speeches)
Bill passed through its remaining stages without amendment or debate.
- Crimes Act Amendment (Forensic Procedures) Bill (No. 1) 2006 (0 speeches)
- Second Reading (1 speech)
Debate resumed from 21 June, on motion by Senator Abetz: That this bill be now read a second time.
- In Committee (1 speech)
Bill—by leave—taken as a whole.
- Third Reading (1 speech)
I move: That this bill be now read a third time. Question agreed to. Bill read a third time.
- Protection of the Sea (Harmful Anti-Fouling Systems) Bill 2006 (0 speeches)
- Second Reading (1 speech)
Debate resumed from 7 September, on motion by Senator Ian Campbell: That this bill be now read a second time.
- Third Reading (0 speeches)
Bill passed through its remaining stages without amendment or debate.
- Intellectual Property Laws Amendment Bill 2006 (0 speeches)
- Second Reading (5 speeches)
Debate resumed from 8 August, on motion by Senator Vanstone: That this bill be now read a second time.
- Third Reading (0 speeches)
Bill passed through its remaining stages without amendment or debate. Sitting suspended from 1.34 pm to 2.00 pm
- Ministerial Arrangements (0 speeches)
- (1 speech)
I wish to inform the Senate that Senator Ian Campbell, the Minister for the Environment and Heritage, will be absent from question time today. Senator Ian Campbell is attending ministerial...
- Questions without Notice (0 speeches)
- Media Ownership (4 speeches)
My question is to Senator Coonan, the Minister for Communications, Information Technology and the Arts. I refer to the government’s plans to weaken the cross-media ownership rules. Can the...
- Distinguished Visitors (0 speeches)
- (2 speeches)
Order! I draw the attention of honourable senators to the presence in the President’s gallery of a parliamentary delegation from the National Assembly of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam,...
- Questions without Notice (0 speeches)
- Workplace Relations (2 speeches)
My question is to the Minister representing the Minister for Employment and Workplace Relations, Senator Abetz. Is the minister aware of any threats to the accelerated job creation and continued...
- Media Ownership (7 speeches)
My question is to Senator Coonan, the Minister for Communications, Information Technology and the Arts. I refer to the government’s proposal to require regional radio stations to produce a...
- Telecommunications (5 speeches)
My question is to the Minister for Communications, Information Technology and the Arts, Senator Coonan. Will the minister inform the Senate how government investment is helping drive broadband...
- Telstra (4 speeches)
My question is also to Senator Coonan, the Minister for Communications, Information Technology and the Arts. I refer the minister to the front-page article in today’s Daily Telegraph...
- Aged Care (16 speeches)
My question is to Senator Santoro, the Minister for Ageing. Will the minister inform the Senate what steps the government has taken to address the shortfall in aged care places that existed in...
- Australian Made Products (10 speeches)
My question is to the Minister for Finance and Administration, Senator Minchin. Minister, Family First believes that the Australian parliament should be a showcase for Australian-made products to...
- Family Relationships Services (2 speeches)
My question is to the Minister representing the Minister for Families, Community Services and Indigenous Affairs, Senator Kemp. What recent initiatives have been taken by the federal government...
- Afghanistan Opium Trade (4 speeches)
My question is directed to Senator Coonan in her capacity as Minister representing the Minister for Foreign Affairs. I refer the minister to Senator Ellison’s answer to a question last week...
- Sudan (4 speeches)
My question is also addressed to the Minister representing the Minister for Foreign Affairs and it relates to the deteriorating situation in Darfur. I ask the minister: what efforts are being...
- Information Technology (4 speeches)
My question is directed to Senator Minchin, Minister for Finance and Administration. Can the minister confirm that the government has been responsible for the bungled management of IT projects...
- Questions without Notice: Take Note of Answers (0 speeches)
- Media Ownership (11 speeches)
I move: That the Senate take note of the answers given by the Minister for Communications, Information Technology and the Arts (Senator Coonan) to questions without notice asked today. What a...
- Australian Capital Territory (Self-Government) Amendment (Disallowance Power of the Commonwealth) Bill 2006 (0 speeches)
- Second Reading (93 speeches)
Debate resumed from 19 June, on motion by Senator Bob Brown: That this bill be now read a second time.
- Somatic Cell Nuclear Transfer (SCNT) and Related Research Amendment Bill 2006: Exposure Draft (0 speeches)
- (1 speech)
by leave—I table an exposure draft of a bill, together with a tabling statement and a draft explanatory memorandum. It gives me great pleasure to table the documents. I also seek leave to...
- Documents (0 speeches)
- Tabling (1 speech)
I seek leave to table a number of articles from published refereed journals. Leave granted.
- Committees (0 speeches)
- Membership (2 speeches)
The President has received letters from party leaders seeking variations to the membership of committees.
- Selection of Bills Committee; Report (1 speech)
The Acting Deputy President: by leave—I move: That the order of the Senate agreed to earlier today adopting the 10th report of 2006 of the Selection of Bills Committee be varied to provide...
- Consideration (20 speeches)
The following orders of the day relating to committee reports and government responses were considered: Migration—Joint Standing Committee—Report—Negotiating the maze: Review of...
- Auditor-General’S Reports (0 speeches)
- Report No. 49 of 2005-06 (3 speeches)
I move: That the Senate take note of the document. I seek leave to continue my remarks later.
- Consideration (0 speeches)
The following orders of the day relating to reports of the Auditor-General were considered: Auditor-General—Audit report no. 2 of 2006-07—Performance audit—Export certification:...
- Adjournment (0 speeches)
- (1 speech)
Order! There being no further consideration of committee reports, government responses and Auditor-General’s reports, I propose the question: That the Senate do now adjourn.
- Workplace Relations (2 speeches)
I stand tonight to speak about why Work Choices is working. In Australia we have around 2.5 million people, or about a quarter of the people of working age, on welfare. It was British Prime...
- Mr Alex Buzo (1 speech)
Thank you, Mr Deputy President. I am not sure whether I will need the full three minutes. Tonight I want to record in this parliament the sad passing of one of Australia’s renowned modern...
- Meat Industry: Mr Aaron Leslie Willis (1 speech)
Yesterday I raised matters concerning the Australian government’s supervision of Commonwealth subsidies of young workers under the New Apprenticeships scheme. I raised matters concerning...
- Conclusive Certificates (1 speech)
I rise this evening to talk about freedom of information. As most of us are aware, the strength of our democracy rests on the ability of citizens to cast an informed vote at the ballot box and in...
- Federal Judicial Commission (1 speech)
I will only be a couple of minutes. This is a rare occasion. I wanted to rise tonight to reiterate my strong view that Australia should have a federal judicial commission. I think there is no...
- Stem Cell Research (1 speech)
In the time remaining, I want to talk a bit about the Lockhart review that examined the current acts that govern stem cell research in this country. Of course, these are the Prohibition of Human...
- Mr Abdul Hakim Taniwal (1 speech)
I seek leave to incorporate my speech. Leave granted. The speech read as follows— Today, the Senate acknowledged the death of Abdul Hakim Taniwal—an Australian-Afghani, who was killed...
- Mr John Vander Wyk (1 speech)
Before the Senate adjourns this evening, on behalf of other senators in this place, I want to make a final statement on the fine service that John Vander Wyk has provided. I know other people...
- Documents (0 speeches)
- Tabling (0 speeches)
The following documents were tabled by the Clerk: Australian Research Council Act—Determination No. 31—Approval of expenditure on research programs under section 51—Linkage...
- 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 January to 30 June...
- Departmental and Agency Contracts (0 speeches)
The following document was tabled pursuant to the order of the Senate of 20 June 2001, as amended: Departmental and agency contracts for 2005-06—Letter of advice—Australian Research...
