Senate debates
Wednesday, 20 June 2007
- Australian Postal Corporation Amendment (Quarantine Inspection and Other Measures) Bill 2007; Therapeutic Goods Amendment Bill 2007 (0 speeches)
- First Reading (1 speech)
I move: That the following bill be introduced: A Bill for an Act to amend the Australian Postal Corporation Act 1989, and for related purposes and A Bill for an Act to amend the law relating to...
- Second Reading (2 speeches)
I table the explanatory memoranda relating to the bills and move: That the bills be now read a second time. I seek leave to have the second reading speeches incorporated in Hansard. Leave...
- Business (0 speeches)
- Rearrangement (1 speech)
I move: That government business notice of motion No. 3, to approve a works proposal in the Parliamentary Zone, be postponed till a later hour of the day. Question agreed to.
- Workplace Relations Amendment (a Stronger Safety Net) Bill 2007 (0 speeches)
- In Committee (15 speeches)
Consideration resumed from 19 June.
- 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 (Communications Legislation Amendment (Content Services) Bill 2007) be postponed till a later hour of the day. Question agreed to.
- National Health Amendment (Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme) Bill 2007 (0 speeches)
- Second Reading (7 speeches)
Debate resumed from 12 June, on motion by Senator Scullion: That this bill be now read a second time.
- In Committee (96 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.
- Trade Practices Act (1 speech)
Before I make this speech, I would like to acknowledge Mr Ken Henrick, who is a retailer of some strength in Western Australia, and Mr John Cummings, who is the Chairman of NARGA, which...
- Intellectual Property (1 speech)
A few months ago, I spoke about the government’s appalling record at that time on managing intellectual property. I showed how its indifference to fixing the issues associated with the...
- Macquarie Marshes (1 speech)
I rise to speak on what I believe is a matter of great national public importance—that is, our dying wetlands and the inaction by both state and federal governments which seems to be making...
- Child Abuse (1 speech)
I want to speak in this matter of public interest debate about the issue of child abuse. A matter that I have spoken about a number of times before is what I would call the crisis with regard to...
- Questions without Notice (0 speeches)
- Broadband (15 speeches)
My question is to Senator Coonan, the Minister for Communications, Information Technology and the Arts. Does the minister recall her commitment on the John Laws program on 8 February that she...
- Defence Procurement (2 speeches)
My question is to Senator Minchin, the Minister representing the Prime Minister. It involves an area in which I know he has more than a passing interest and concerns the announcement this morning...
- Broadband (30 speeches)
My question is to Senator Coonan, the Minister for Communications, Information Technology and the Arts. Can the minister confirm that the wireless broadband network being funded by the government...
- Child Protection (2 speeches)
My question is to Senator Johnston, the Minister for Justice and Customs. Will the minister update the Senate on the recent success that Australian law enforcement agencies have had in fighting...
- Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (4 speeches)
My question is to the Minister representing the Prime Minister, Senator Minchin. What involvement do Commonwealth agencies such as ASIO and the Australian Federal Police have in the preparation...
- Parliamentarians’ Entitlements (4 speeches)
My question is to Senator Johnston, Minister for Justice and Customs. I refer the minister to reports that the federal member for Bonner, Mr Ross Vasta, has repaid $24,000 worth of entitlements...
- Housing Affordability (6 speeches)
My question is to the Minister for Community Services, Senator Scullion. Home ownership remains the great Australian dream. Will the minister inform the Senate of the measures undertaken by the...
- Child Protection (4 speeches)
My question is to the Minister representing the Minister for Families, Community Services and Indigenous Affairs. It relates to the issue of sexual assaults on children. The minister would be...
- Health (4 speeches)
My question is to Senator Ellison, the Minister for Human Services. Is the minister aware that the managing director of Health Services Australia, Mr Walter Kmet, has again corrected his evidence...
- New South Wales Floods (2 speeches)
My question is to the Minister for Human Services, Senator Ellison. Will the minister update the Senate on the continuing work being done by the Australian government and its agencies to assist...
- Westpoint (5 speeches)
My question is to Senator Coonan, the Minister representing the Minister for Revenue and Assistant Treasurer. I refer to the Westpoint scandal—one of a string of property investment...
- Questions without Notice: Additional Answers (0 speeches)
- Superannuation (1 speech)
Yesterday in question time I had a question from Senator Murray on the government’s better superannuation reforms and undertook to provide further information. I would like to table further...
- Questions without Notice: Take Note of Answers (0 speeches)
- Broadband (20 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 relating to...
- Petitions (0 speeches)
- (1 speech)
The Clerk: A petition has been lodged for presentation as follows:
- Notices (0 speeches)
- Presentation (1 speech)
Senator Siewert to move on the next day of sitting:That the Senate:(a)acknowledges that 2007 is the half-time progress mark in the global effort to meet the Millennium Development Goals, which...
- 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...
- Independent Contractors Amendment Bill 2007 (No. 2) (0 speeches)
- First Reading (1 speech)
I move:That the following bill be introduced: A Bill for an Act to amend the Independent Contractors Act 2006, and for related purposes. Question agreed to. I move: That this bill may proceed...
- 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— I rise to present to the...
- MR George Burarrawanga (0 speeches)
- (1 speech)
I move:That the Senate—(a)expresses its deep regret at the passing of the late Mr George Burarrawanga, who died at his Elcho Island home of Galiwin’ku in the Northern Territory on 9...
- MR Alan Johnston (0 speeches)
- (1 speech)
I move the motion standing in my name and thank the Senate for its anticipated support:That the Senate—(a)notes that:(i)the respected British Broadcasting Corporation journalist...
- Climate Change (0 speeches)
- (1 speech)
by leave—I move the motion as amended: That the Senate:(a)notes that the Australian Government has called for a new global framework on climate change that includes all major...
- Anvill Hill Coalmine (0 speeches)
- (1 speech)
I move:That—(a)the Senate:(i)condemns the recent decision of the New South Wales State Labor Government to allow the giant Anvil Hill coal mine to proceed, and(ii)notes that the Minister...
- Notices (0 speeches)
- Postponement (1 speech)
by leave—I move: That general business notice of motion no. 827 standing in my name for today, relating to Afghan Member of Parliament, Ms Malalai Joya, be postponed till the next day of...
- Tasmanian Pulp Mill (0 speeches)
- (12 speeches)
by leave—I move: That the Senate congratulates the 10 000 or more Tasmanians who turned out in Launceston on Saturday, 16 June 2007 to protest against the proposed Gunns Limited pulp...
- Notices (0 speeches)
- Presentation (1 speech)
I give notice that, on the next day of sitting— Nice of you to come down for it. And unusual to see you here too, Senator Ray. Senator Faulkner, don’t worry about interjections....
- Committees (0 speeches)
- Scrutiny of Bills Committee; Report (1 speech)
I present the seventh 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. 7 of 2007, dated 20 June 2007. Ordered...
- Senators’ Interests Committee; Documents (1 speech)
On behalf of the Standing Committee of Senators’ Interests, I present the following documents: (a) Register of gifts to the Senate and the Parliament, incorporating declarations of gifts...
- Environment, Communications, Information Technology and the Arts Committee; Report (5 speeches)
I present the report of the Environment, Communications, Information Technology and the Arts Committee, Indigenous Art: securing the future. Australia’s Indigenous visual arts and craft...
- Rural and Regional Affairs and Transport Committee; Report (4 speeches)
I present the report of the Rural and Regional Affairs and Transport Committee on the administration of the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry, Biosecurity Australia and the...
- Public Works Committee; Report (1 speech)
On behalf of the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Public Works, I present the fifth report for 2007, Facilities for project single living environment and accommodation precinct – Phase...
- Documents (0 speeches)
- Auditor-General’S Reports (0 speeches)
- Report No. 46 of 2006-07 (1 speech)
In accordance with the provisions of the Auditor-General Act 1997, I present the following report of the Auditor-General: report No. 46 of 2006-07: Performance audit: management of the...
- Committees (0 speeches)
- Treaties Committee; Report (2 speeches)
On behalf of the Joint Standing Committee on Treaties, I present report No. 84 of the committee, Treaty tabled on 6 December 2006. I move: That the Senate take note of the report. I seek leave to...
- Membership (2 speeches)
I have received letters from a party leader seeking to vary the membership of committees.
- Tax Laws Amendment (Simplified GST Accounting) 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 amends the A...
- Wheat Marketing Amendment 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— It has been a difficult...
- Native Title Amendment (Technical Amendments) Bill 2007 (0 speeches)
- Committees (0 speeches)
- Representation of Western Australia (0 speeches)
- (1 speech)
I have received, through the Governor-General, from the Governor of Western Australia a copy of the certificate of the choice by the houses of parliament of Western Australia of Mathias Hubert...
- Senator Sworn (0 speeches)
- (0 speeches)
Senator Mathias Cormann made and subscribed the oath of allegiance.
- Committees (0 speeches)
- National Health Amendment (Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme) Bill 2007 (0 speeches)
- In Committee (3 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.
- Communications Legislation Amendment (Content Services) Bill 2007 (0 speeches)
- Second Reading (6 speeches)
Debate resumed from 12 June, on motion by Senator Scullion: That this bill be now read a second time.
- Business (0 speeches)
- Rearrangement (1 speech)
by leave—I move: That consideration of government documents be called on at the conclusion of consideration of the government business order of the day relating to the Communications...
- Communications Legislation Amendment (Content Services) Bill 2007 (0 speeches)
- In Committee (3 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.
- Documents (0 speeches)
- Adjournment (0 speeches)
- (1 speech)
Order! It being 7.02 pm, I propose the question: That the Senate do now adjourn.
- Indigenous issues (1 speech)
As Senator Bartlett points out: there is an extraordinary amount of rich detail in a number of reports published in the past week or so relating to Indigenous issues. I want to quickly have a...
- Micah Challenge (1 speech)
This week I met with young people from Micah Challenge, a church based collective which participates in the Make Poverty History campaign. That campaign brings together a diverse range of people...
- Prisons: Education (1 speech)
Tonight, I would like to speak about prisons, particularly the situation facing prisoners as well as education in prisons. In the last day or so, I have mentioned a few times how reports, which...
- Australian Political Parties for Democracy (1 speech)
Tonight I am going to provide the Senate with a further report on Labor’s Australian Political Parties for Democracy, APPD, work. The ALP is committed to using the APPD program for a range...
- Documents (0 speeches)
- Tabling (0 speeches)
The following documents were tabled by the Clerk: [Legislative instruments are identified by a Federal Register of Legislative Instruments (FRLI) number] Australian Participants in British...
