Senate debates
Wednesday, 14 May 2008
- Telecommunications (Interception and Access) Amendment Bill 2008 (0 speeches)
- Second Reading (5 speeches)
Debate resumed from 13 March, on motion by Senator Ludwig: That this bill be now read a second time.
- In Committee (18 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.
- Telecommunications Legislation Amendment (National Broadband Network) Bill 2008 (0 speeches)
- Second Reading (57 speeches)
Debate resumed from 19 March, on motion by Senator Carr: That this bill be now read a second time.
- In Committee (13 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.
- Foreign Policy (1 speech)
I rise to speak on a matter of the gravest public interest: Australia’s foreign policy. We have heard a great deal about this since the Rudd government came to office in November, and there...
- Volunteering (1 speech)
I rise today to speak about a very important matter, and that is the Rudd government’s commitment to sponsoring and supporting more than five million Australian volunteers who keep our...
- Venezuela and Brazil (1 speech)
I want to report on the parliamentary travel trip that I have just made with my partner, Paul Thomas, to Venezuela and Brazil. It was an intense couple of weeks and I came away with four main...
- Child Abuse (1 speech)
I rise this afternoon to inform the Senate of the findings of two reports about child sexual abuse in South Australia and to raise issues around child protection in the wider community more...
- Budget (7 speeches)
Although this is not the subject of my remarks to the Senate today, I do want to take the opportunity to associate myself with the call made a moment ago by Senator Kirk for there to be an...
- Questions without Notice (0 speeches)
- Budget (18 speeches)
My question is to the Minister for Human Services, Senator Ludwig. Minister, why did last night’s budget break the Prime Minister’s promise to carers that their bonus payments would...
- Alcohol Abuse (4 speeches)
My question is to Senator Conroy, the Minister representing the Treasurer. Can the minister confirm that the massive $3.1 billion tax hike from the sale of premixed drinks is built on a...
- Higher Education (2 speeches)
My question is to the Minister for Innovation, Industry, Science and Research, Senator Carr. Can the minister inform the Senate about the government’s new investments in higher education...
- Health (8 speeches)
My question is directed to the Minister representing the Minister for Health and Ageing, Senator Ludwig: can the minister confirm the government will make a saving of $37.3 million by not...
- Budget (12 speeches)
My question without notice is to the Minister representing the Treasurer, Senator Conroy. I note that the tax cuts in the budget will deliver the Prime Minister and the Treasurer $116 a week in...
- Automotive Industry (15 speeches)
My question is to the Minister for Innovation, Industry, Science and Research, Senator Carr. Could Senator Carr inform the Senate what modelling has been done on the impact on Australia’s...
- Budget (10 speeches)
My question is to Senator Conroy, in his capacity representing the Treasurer. Can the minister explain to the Senate how the budget will address the inflation challenge facing the Australian...
- Indigenous Communities (4 speeches)
My question is to Senator Evans, Leader of the Government in the Senate and Minister representing the Minister for Families, Housing, Community Services and Indigenous Affairs. Minister...
- Questions without Notice: Additional Answers (0 speeches)
- Disaster Assistance; Community Sports Facilities (1 speech)
I seek leave to incorporate two answers to questions raised by Senator Bob Brown and Senator Bernardi. Leave granted. The answers read as follows— SENATOR BOB BROWN—CRISIS RESPONSE...
- Questions without Notice: Take Note of Answers (0 speeches)
- Budget (16 speeches)
I move: That the Senate take note of answers given today to questions without notice relating to Budget 2008-09. One of the things that I want to stress in taking note of answers given today to...
- Notices (0 speeches)
- Presentation (1 speech)
Senator Allison to move on the next day of sitting:That the Senate—(a) notes that the week beginning 11 May 2008 is International Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue...
- Committees (0 speeches)
- Selection of Bills Committee; Report (1 speech)
I present the fourth report of 2008 of the Selection of Bills Committee. Ordered that the report be adopted. I seek leave to have the report incorporated in Hansard. Leave granted. The report...
- Notices (0 speeches)
- Postponement (0 speeches)
The following items of business were postponed: General business notice of motion no. 69 standing in the name of the Leader of the Australian Democrats (Senator Allison) for today, relating to...
- Commonwealth Electoral (Above-the-Line Voting) Amendment Bill 2008 (0 speeches)
- First Reading (1 speech)
I move: That the following bill be introduced: A Bill for an Act to amend the Commonwealth Electoral Act 1918 to repeal provisions relating to group voting tickets and provide for preferential...
- Second Reading (1 speech)
I move: That this bill be now read a second time. I seek leave to table the explanatory memorandum and to have the second reading speech incorporated in Hansard. Leave granted. The speech read as...
- Business (0 speeches)
- Consideration of Legislation (1 speech)
I move:(1) That so much of standing orders be suspended as would prevent this resolution having effect.(2) That the Plastic Bag Levy (Assessment and Collection) Bill 2002...
- Committees (0 speeches)
- Australian Crime Commission Committee; Meeting (1 speech)
I move: That the Parliamentary Joint Committee on the Australian Crime Commission be authorised to hold a public meeting during the sitting of the Senate on Tuesday, 17 June 2008, from...
- Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade Committee; (1 speech)
At the request of Senator Bishop, I move: That the time for the presentation of the report of the Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade Committee on Australia’s involvement in peacekeeping...
- Community Affairs Committee; Meeting (1 speech)
At the request of Senator Moore, I move: That the Community Affairs Committee be authorised to hold a public meeting during the sitting of the Senate on Thursday, 15 May 2008, from 3.30 pm to...
- Finance and Public Administration Committee; Reference (1 speech)
At the request of Senator Murray, I move: That the following matters be referred to the Finance and Public Administration Committee for inquiry and report by the first sitting Thursday of August...
- Capital Punishment (0 speeches)
- (1 speech)
I move: That the Senate calls on the Minister for Foreign Affairs (Mr Smith) to seek the abandonment of the death sentence, including that on Australian citizen Ms Jasmine Luong in Vietnam....
- Debt2health Swap with Indonesia (0 speeches)
- (1 speech)
I move: That the Senate—(a) notes the Government’s pre-election promise of a $75 million ‘Debt2Health’ swap with Indonesia which would allow Indonesia to...
- Volunteers (0 speeches)
- (1 speech)
I seek leave to amend general business notice of motion No. 74 standing in my name as circulated in the chamber. Leave granted. I move the motion as amended: That the Senate—(a) ...
- Condolences (0 speeches)
- Mr Jack Gibson OAM (1 speech)
I, and also on behalf of Senator Forshaw, move: That the Senate—(a) notes with great sadness the passing of ‘supercoach’ Mr Jack Gibson, OAM, one of...
- 40TH Anniversary of the Battle of Fire Support Bases Coral and Balmoral (0 speeches)
- (1 speech)
At the request of Senator Minchin, I move: That the Senate—(a) notes that 12 May to 6 June 2008 is the 40th anniversary of the battles of Fire Support Bases Coral and Balmoral...
- Committees (0 speeches)
- Electoral Matters Committee; Reference (2 speeches)
I move: That the Commonwealth Electoral (Above-the-Line Voting) Amendment Bill 2008 be referred to the Joint Standing Committee on Electoral Matters as a particular part of its inquiry into all...
- Education Funding (0 speeches)
- (3 speeches)
I move: That the Senate—(a) notes the comments by the Minister for Education (Ms Gillard) that she is considering extending the Federal Government’s method of funding...
- 5TH Ministerial Conference on Environment and Development (0 speeches)
- (2 speeches)
I move: That the Senate—(a) notes that:(i) in March 2005, at the 5th Ministerial Conference on Environment and Development (MCED) held in Seoul, representatives from...
- War (0 speeches)
- (8 speeches)
I move: That the Senate calls on the Prime Minister (Mr Rudd) and future Prime Ministers to refrain from engaging Australia in war without first gaining the agreement of the Australian...
- Committees (0 speeches)
- Scrutiny of Bills Committee; Report (1 speech)
I present the third report for 2008 of the Standing Committee for the Scrutiny of Bills. I also lay on the table Scrutiny of Bills Alert Digest No. 3 of 2008, dated 14 May 2008. Ordered that the...
- Public Accounts and Audit Committee; Statement (1 speech)
On behalf of the Joint Committee of Public Accounts and Audit, I table a statement on the draft budget estimates for the Australian National Audit Office for 2008-09 and seek leave to incorporate...
- Appropriations and Staffing Committee; Report (1 speech)
I present the 46th report of the Standing Committee on Appropriations and Staffing on the estimates for the Department of the Senate 2008-09. Ordered that the report be printed.
- Membership (2 speeches)
The President has received a letter from a party leader seeking variations to the membership of committees.
- Cross-Border Insolvency Bill 2008; Financial Sector Legislation Amendment (Review of Prudential Decisions) Bill 2008 (0 speeches)
- Classification (Publications, Films and Computer Games) Amendment (Assessments and Advertising) Bill 2008; Lands Acquisition Legislation Amendment Bill 2008; Offshore Petroleum Amendment (Miscellaneous Measures) Bill 2008 (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— CLASSIFICATION...
- Indigenous Education (Targeted Assistance) Amendment (2008 Measures No. 1) Bill 2008; Social Security and Veterans’ Affairs Legislation Amendment (Enhanced Allowances) Bill 2008; Defence Legislation Amendment Bill 2008; Trade Practices Amendment (Access Declarations) Bill 2008; Workplace Relations Amendment (Transition to Forward with Fairness) Bill 2008; Therapeutic Goods Amendment (Poisons Standard) Bill 2008; Skills Australia Bill 2008; Higher Education Support Amendment (Vet Fee-Help Assistance) Bill 2008; Screen Australia Bill 2008; Screen Australia and the National Film and Sound Archive (Consequential and Transitional Provisions) Bill 2008; National Film and Sound Archive Bill 2008; Appropriation Bill (No. 3) 2007-2008; Appropriation Bill (No. 4) 2007-2008; Infrastructure Australia Bill 2008; Tradex Scheme Amendment Bill 2008 (0 speeches)
- Assent (0 speeches)
Messages from His Excellency the Governor-General were reported, informing the Senate that he had assented to the bills.
- Commonwealth Grant Scheme Guidelines No. 1 (0 speeches)
- Motion for Disallowance (32 speeches)
I move: That Amendment 2 to the Commonwealth Grant Scheme Guidelines No. 1, made under section 238-10 of the Higher Education Support Act 2003, be disallowed. Put simply, the coalition is seeking...
- Road User Charge Determination 2008 (No. 1) (0 speeches)
- Motion for Disallowance (15 speeches)
I move: That the Road User Charge Determination 2008 (No. 1), made under the Fuel Tax Act 2006, be disallowed. This government made a lot of noise during the election campaign about reducing the...
- Telecommunications Legislation Amendment (National Broadband Network) Bill 2008 (0 speeches)
- In Committee (38 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.
- Documents (0 speeches)
- (1 speech)
Order! It being 6.50 pm, the Senate will proceed to the consideration of government documents.
- Migration Act 1958; Section 486O (3 speeches)
I move: That the Senate take note of the document. This is a response from the Minister for Immigration and Citizenship, Senator Evans, to the Ombudsman’s reports. The report details the...
- Migration Act 1958: Section 486O (1 speech)
I move: That the Senate take note of the document. This is the Immigration Ombudsman’s report that I referred to previously that actually details all of those people who have been in...
- Consideration (0 speeches)
The following government documents were considered: Migration Act 1958Section 440A—Conduct of Refugee Review Tribunal reviews not completed within 90 days—Report for the period 1...
- Adjournment (0 speeches)
- (1 speech)
Order! There being no further consideration of government documents, I propose the question: That the Senate do now adjourn.
- Volunteers (1 speech)
Volunteers change our world. That is the theme for this year’s National Volunteer Week, which runs from 12 to 18 May, when we recognise and thank Australia’s volunteers. Official...
- Portrayal of Girls in the Media (2 speeches)
I seek leave to incorporate an adjournment speech by Senator Polley. Leave granted.
- Tasmanian Symphony Orchestra (1 speech)
One of the ongoing joys of living in Tasmania is the ability to attend and to enjoy the delightful music presented to Tasmania by the Tasmanian Symphony Orchestra. My wife’s late father,...
- Electoral Reform (1 speech)
I am expecting that tomorrow the government will introduce the Commonwealth Electoral Amendment (Political Donations and Other Measures) Bill 2008, which will be a welcome move because it will...
- Documents (0 speeches)
- Tabling (0 speeches)
The following government documents were tabled: Migration Act 1958 Reports for the period 1 November 2007 to 29 February 2008— Section 91Y—Protection visa processing taking more than...
