Senate debates
Wednesday, 9 May 2007
- Committees (0 speeches)
- Budget (0 speeches)
- Statement and Documents (1 speech)
I table the following documents: The Budget 2007-08—Statement by the Treasurer (Mr Costello), dated 8 May 2007. Budget papers— No. 1—Budget strategy and outlook 2007-08. No....
- Proposed Expenditure; Consideration by Estimates Committees (1 speech)
I table the following documents: Particulars of certain proposed expenditure in respect of the year ending on 30 June 2008. Particulars of proposed expenditure in respect of the year...
- Business (0 speeches)
- Rearrangement (1 speech)
I move:That, on Thursday, 10 May 2007:(a)the hours of meeting shall be from 9.30 am to 6 pm and 8 pm to adjournment; and(b)the routine of business from 8 pm shall be:(i)Budget statement and...
- Higher Education Legislation Amendment (2007 Measures No. 1) Bill 2007 (0 speeches)
- First Reading (1 speech)
Bill received from the House of Representatives.
- Second Reading (20 speeches)
I table a revised explanatory memorandum relating to the bill and move: That this bill be now read a second time. I seek leave to have the second reading speech incorporated in Hansard. Leave...
- Third Reading (0 speeches)
Bill passed through its remaining stages without amendment or debate.
- Migration Amendment (Maritime Crew) Bill 2007 (0 speeches)
- Second Reading (6 speeches)
Debate resumed from 1 March, on motion by Senator Scullion: That this bill be now read a second time.
- Third Reading (0 speeches)
Bill passed through its remaining stages without amendment or debate.
- Gene Technology Amendment Bill 2007 (0 speeches)
- Second Reading (4 speeches)
Debate resumed from 28 March, on motion by Senator Abetz: That this bill be now read a second time.
- In Committee (9 speeches)
Bill—by leave—taken as a whole.
- Matters of Public Interest (0 speeches)
- (1 speech)
Order! It being 12.45 pm, I call on matters of public interest.
- Australian Labor Party (1 speech)
Today is an auspicious day, not just because it is the first anniversary of my swearing in as a senator but also because it is the 80th anniversary of the first sitting of federal parliament in...
- Defence Management Review (1 speech)
I would like to address, in this matter of public interest debate, the Defence Management Review released early in April. This so-called review has been a remarkably cynical exercise. It is...
- Job Education and Training Scheme (1 speech)
I rise today to talk about a very important issue—in fact, to continue what I plan to be a series of commentaries and stories about people who are being adversely impacted by the Welfare to...
- Volunteering (1 speech)
Volunteering is a quintessential Australian value. It encapsulates a number of qualities that promote a cohesive society: loyalty, commitment, dedication and obligation. Australians volunteer in...
- Dr Pat Stevens (1 speech)
I want to speak this afternoon about a member of the Labor Party who passed away suddenly at his home on 24 March this year. His name was known to me and to my successor as President of the New...
- Liberal Party of Australia (0 speeches)
- Office Holders (5 speeches)
by leave—I am pleased to inform the Senate that Senator Stephen Parry has been elected as Government Whip in the Senate, replacing Senator Jeannie Ferris, and Senator Julian McGauran has...
- Questions without Notice (0 speeches)
- Budget 2007-08 (23 speeches)
My question is to Senator Minchin, representing the Treasurer. Can the minister explain why productivity growth, critical to our long-term economic prosperity, was zero in 2006-07 against a...
- Climate Change (12 speeches)
My question is to the Minister for Fisheries, Forestry and Conservation, Senator Abetz. Has the government conducted a study of the climate change impact of the logging of native forest in...
- Budget 2007-08 (20 speeches)
My question is to the Minister representing the Minister for Transport and Regional Services, Senator Johnston. Will the minister please advise the Senate of the government’s commitment to...
- Questions without Notice: Take Note of Answers (0 speeches)
- Budget 2007-08 (11 speeches)
I move: That the Senate take note of the answers given by ministers to questions without notice asked by opposition Sernators today relating to the 2007-08 Budget. Today’s debate reflects...
- Climate Change (1 speech)
I move: That the Senate take note of the answer given by the Minister for Fisheries, Forestry and Conservation (Senator Abetz) to a question without notice asked by Senator Nettle today relating...
- Condolences (0 speeches)
- Mr Alan Ritchie Cumming Thom (7 speeches)
It is with regret that I inform the Senate of the death on 14 April 2007 of Mr Alan Ritchie Cumming Thom. Mr Cumming Thom was an officer of the Senate for 33 years, from 1955 to 1988. He served...
- Senator Jeannie Margaret Ferris (1 speech)
With the indulgence of the Senate, I would like to pass on to the Senate a comment that was made yesterday. At the conclusion of the condolence motion to Senator Ferris yesterday, I received a...
- Petitions (0 speeches)
- (1 speech)
The Clerk: Petitions have been lodged for presentation as follows:
- Notices (0 speeches)
- Withdrawal (1 speech)
On behalf of the Standing Committee on Regulations and Ordinances, and pursuant to notice given on 29 March 2007, I now withdraw business of the Senate notice of motion No. 1 standing in my name...
- Presentation (1 speech)
Senator Eggleston to move on the next day of sitting: That the Environment, Communications, Information Technology and the Arts Committee be authorised to hold a private meeting otherwise than in...
- Postponement (0 speeches)
The following items of business were postponed: Business of the Senate notice of motion no. 1 standing in the name of Senator Bartlett for today, proposing the reference of a matter to the Rural...
- United Nations Resolution on Sustainable Fisheries (0 speeches)
- (1 speech)
I move:That the Senate—(a)congratulates the Government on its leadership in achieving the outcomes of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) Resolution on sustainable fisheries in...
- MR Iccho Itoh (0 speeches)
- (1 speech)
by leave—I move the motion as amended:That the Senate—(a)notes:(i)that on Tuesday, 17 April 2007, the Mayor of Nagasaki, Iccho Itoh, was murdered in a senseless crime,(ii)that Mayor...
- Guantanamo Bay (0 speeches)
- (1 speech)
I move:That the Senate—(a)notes the pledge by United States of America (US) Republican presidential candidate Senator John McCain that he will close Guantanamo Bay if he becomes President;...
- Student Income Support (0 speeches)
- (1 speech)
I move:That the Senate—(a)notes:(i)the recent report on student finances by the Australian Vice-Chancellors’ Committee (AVCC), Australian University Student Finances 2006, and(ii)that...
- Old-Growth Forests (0 speeches)
- (1 speech)
I am being distracted by Senator Abetz saying that they do not burn forests. There has been an overnight change, you see. I move:That the Senate calls on the Government to halt the burning of...
- Matters of Public Importance (0 speeches)
- Budget 2007-08 (17 speeches)
The President has received a letter from Senator Sherry proposing that a definite matter of public importance be submitted to the Senate for discussion, namely:(a)the fact that the 2007 Federal...
- Committees (0 speeches)
- Scrutiny of Bills Committee; Report (1 speech)
On behalf of Senator Robert Ray, I present the fifth report of 2007 of the Senate Standing Committee for the Scrutiny of Bills. I also lay on the table Scrutiny of Bills Alert Digest No. 5 of...
- Intelligence and Security Committee; Report (1 speech)
On behalf of Senator Ferguson and the Parliamentary Joint Committee on Intelligence and Security, I present the report of the committee Review of the re-listing of Tanzim Qa’idat al-Jihad...
- Standing Committees; Reports (1 speech)
Pursuant to order and at the request of the chairs of the respective committees, I present standing committee reports as listed below which were presented since the Senate last sat. The list read...
- Environment, Communications, Information Technology and the Arts Committee; Report (1 speech)
I present the interim report of the Senate Standing Committee on the Environment, Communications, Information Technology and the Arts into the provisions of the Broadcasting Legislation Amendment...
- Economics; Report (1 speech)
I present the interim report of the Senate Standing Committee on Economics into the provisions of the Tax Laws Amendment (2007 Measures No. 2) Bill 2007.
- Public Accounts and Audit Committee; Report: Government Response (1 speech)
I present the government’s response to the report of the Joint Committee of Public Accounts and Audit––372nd report––Corporate governance and accountability...
- Documents (0 speeches)
- Tabling (1 speech)
Pursuant to standing orders 38 and 166, I present documents as listed below which were presented to the President, the Deputy President and Temporary Chairmen of Committees since the Senate sat....
- Auditor-General’S Reports (0 speeches)
- Reports Nos 32 to 35 of 2006-07 (1 speech)
In accordance with the provisions of the Auditor-General Act 1997, I present the following reports of the Auditor-General, which were tabled since the Senate last sat: Report no. 32 of...
- Budget 2006-07 (0 speeches)
- Budget 2007-08 (0 speeches)
- Portfolio Budget Statements (1 speech)
On behalf of the President, I present the portfolio budget statements for 2007-08 as listed below, which were presented since the Senate last sat. The list read as follows—...
- Committees (0 speeches)
- Documents (0 speeches)
- Twelfth National Schools Constitutional Convention (1 speech)
I table a communique from the 12th National Schools Constitutional Convention, held at Old Parliament House from 21 to 23 March 2007.
- Northern Ireland (2 speeches)
I present a response from the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, Mr Blair, to a resolution of the Senate of 28 March 2007 concerning Northern Ireland.
- Committees (0 speeches)
- Membership (2 speeches)
Order! The President has received letters from a party leader seeking variations to the membership of committees.
- Education Services for Overseas Students Legislation Amendment Bill 2007; Families, Community Services and Indigenous Affairs Legislation Amendment (Child Support Reform Consolidation and Other Measures) Bill 2007 (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— The Education...
- Broadcasting Legislation Amendment (Digital Radio) Bill 2007; Radio Licence Fees Amendment Bill 2007 (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— BROADCASTING...
- TAX LAWS AMENDMENT (2007 MEASURES; No. 2) Bill 2007 (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 implements a...
- AIRPORTS AMENDMENT BILL 2007; SAFETY, REHABILITATION AND COMPENSATION AND OTHER LEGISLATION AMENDMENT BILL 2007; TAX LAWS AMENDMENT (2006 MEASURES; No. 7) Bill 2007 (0 speeches)
- AVIATION TRANSPORT SECURITY AMENDMENT (ADDITIONAL SCREENING MEASURES) BILL 2007; PRIVATE HEALTH INSURANCE BILL 2007; PRIVATE HEALTH INSURANCE (TRANSITIONAL PROVISIONS AND CONSEQUENTIAL AMENDMENTS) BILL 2007; PRIVATE HEALTH INSURANCE (PROSTHESES APPLICATION AND LISTING FEES) BILL 2007; PRIVATE HEALTH INSURANCE (COUNCIL ADMINISTRATION LEVY) AMENDMENT BILL 2007; PRIVATE HEALTH INSURANCE COMPLAINTS LEVY AMENDMENT BILL 2007; PRIVATE HEALTH INSURANCE (COUNCIL ADMINISTRATION LEVY) AMENDMENT BILL 2007; PRIVATE HEALTH INSURANCE (REINSURANCE TRUST FUND LEVY) AMENDMENT BILL 2007; AIRSPACE BILL 2007; AIRSPACE (CONSEQUENTIALS AND OTHER MEASURES) BILL 2007; ENERGY EFFICIENCY OPPORTUNITIES AMENDMENT BILL 2007; Appropriation Bill (No. 3) 2006-2007; Appropriation Bill (No. 4) 2006-2007; BANKRUPTCY (ESTATE CHARGES) AMENDMENT BILL 2007; BANKRUPTCY LEGISLATION AMENDMENT (DEBT AGREEMENTS) BILL 2007; AUSTRALIAN ENERGY MARKET AMENDMENT (GAS LEGISLATION) BILL 2007; SCHOOLS ASSISTANCE (LEARNING TOGETHER — Achievement Through Choice and Opportunity) Amendment Bill 2007; Tourism Australia Amendment Bill 2007; Customs Tariff Amendment (Greater Sunrise) Bill 2007; Offshore Petroleum Amendment (Greater Sunrise) Bill 2007; Non-Proliferation Legislation Amendment Bill 2006 [2007]; Aged Care Amendment (Security and Protection) Bill 2007; Anti-Money Laundering and Counter-Terrorism Financing Amendment Bill 2007; Auscheck Bill 2007; Safety, Rehabilitation and Compensation and Other Legislation Amendment Bill 2007; Tax Laws Amendment (2006 Measures No. 7) Bill 2007; Tax Laws Amendment (2007 Measures No. 1) Bill 2007; Bankruptcy Legislation Amendment (Superannuation Contributions) Bill 2006 [2007]; Health Insurance Amendment (Provider Number Review) Bill 2007; Airports Amendment Bill 2007; Farm Household Support Amendment Bill 2007; Native Title Amendment Bill 2007; Migration Amendment (Border Integrity) Bill 2007; Migration Legislation Amendment (Information and Other Measures) Bill 2007; Corporations Amendment (Takeovers) Bill 2007; Employment and Workplace Relations Legislation Amendment (Welfare to Work and Vocational Rehabilitation Services) Bill 2007 (0 speeches)
- Assent (0 speeches)
Messages from His Excellency the Governor-General were reported informing the Senate that he had assented to the bills.
- Committees (0 speeches)
- Standing Committees; Reports (1 speech)
Pursuant to order and at the request of the chairs of the respective committees, I present reports, Hansard records of proceedings, and documents from the Standing Committee on Economics, the...
- Gene Technology Amendment Bill 2007 (0 speeches)
- In Committee (46 speeches)
Consideration resumed.
- Third Reading (1 speech)
I move: That this bill be now read a third time. Question agreed to. Bill read a third time.
- Broadcasting Legislation Amendment (Digital Radio) Bill 2007; Radio Licence Fees Amendment Bill 2007 (0 speeches)
- (8 speeches)
Debate resumed. (Quorum formed)
- Family First Party (0 speeches)
- Office Holders (1 speech)
by leave—Today I was appointed by the Family First Party as whip for my party in the Senate so that I may participate in whip related meetings and matters.
- Documents (0 speeches)
- Telecommunications (Interception and Access) Act 1979 (1 speech)
I move: That the Senate take note of the report. The annual report on the Telecommunications (Interception) Act and the Commonwealth Ombudsman’s report to the Attorney-General on the...
- Migration Act 1958 (1 speech)
I move: That the Senate take note of the document. This document is the latest in a long line of reports from the Commonwealth Ombudsman into people who have been in immigration detention for...
- Consideration (0 speeches)
The following government documents tabled earlier today were considered: Regional Forest Agreement between the Commonwealth and Tasmania—Variation, 23 February 2007. Motion to take note of...
- Adjournment (0 speeches)
- (1 speech)
Order! There being no further consideration of government documents, I propose the question: That the Senate do now adjourn.
- Investing In Our Schools Program (1 speech)
I want to take the opportunity in the adjournment debate this evening to make some remarks about the Investing in Our Schools Program, which I regard as being one of the most creative and...
- Bringing Them Home Report (1 speech)
In 1995 the Australian Human Rights and Equal Opportunity Commission was asked investigate and report on the history and circumstances of Aboriginal children taken from their families by...
- Queensland State Labor Government (1 speech)
I want to speak tonight, it pains me to tell you, in strong criticism of the Queensland state Labor government and their recent actions with regard to local government. Queenslanders would know...
- Budget 2007-08 (3 speeches)
Yesterday Australia’s longest-serving Treasurer, the Hon. Peter Costello, delivered another impressive budget. Responsible and disciplined economic management has enabled the Howard...
- Documents (0 speeches)
- Indexed List of Files (0 speeches)
The following documents were tabled pursuant to the order of the Senate of 30 May 1996, as amended: Statements of compliance (indexed lists of files)––Communications, Information...
- Departmental and Agency Contracts (0 speeches)
The following documents were tabled pursuant to the order of the Senate of 20 June 2001, as amended: Letters of advice (contracts)––Department of Veterans’ Affairs; Health and...
- Tabling (0 speeches)
The following documents were tabled by the Clerk: [Legislative instruments are identified by a Federal Register of Legislative Instruments (FRLI) number] Aged Care Act— Accountability...
