Senate debates
Thursday, 15 May 2008
- Petitions (0 speeches)
- (1 speech)
The Clerk: Petitions have been lodged for presentation as follows:
- Notices (0 speeches)
- Presentation (0 speeches)
Senator Minchin to move on the next day of sitting:That—(1)There be laid on the table, by each minister in the Senate, in respect of each department or agency administered by that minister,...
- Business (0 speeches)
- Rearrangement (3 speeches)
I seek leave to make a short statement in relation to the hours of business today. Leave granted. I thank the Senate. It is worth explaining to the Senate the position we are now in. At the...
- Notices (0 speeches)
- Postponement (0 speeches)
The following item of business was postponed: Business of the Senate notice of motion no. 2 standing in the name of Senator Siewert for today, proposing a reference to the Environment,...
- Unit Pricing (Easy Comparison of Grocery Prices) Bill 2008 (0 speeches)
- First Reading (1 speech)
I move: That the following bill be introduced: A Bill for an Act to require unit prices of grocery products sold by measure, weight or volume to be displayed, and for related purposes. Question...
- 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— UNIT PRICING (EASY...
- Committees (0 speeches)
- Community Affairs Committee; Reference (1 speech)
I move:That—(1)The Senate:(a)notes:(i)the inclusion in 2006 of Part 3.18A—Private financial provision for certain people with disabilities—to the Social Security Act 1991 to...
- Economics Committee; Reference (2 speeches)
I seek leave to amend general business notice of motion No. 72, standing in my name and in the name of Senator Murray for today, relating to the disclosure of information by charities, as...
- Tibet (0 speeches)
- (1 speech)
I seek leave to amend general business notice of motion No. 86 relating to Tibet and talks between the Dalai Lama and Beijing as circulated in the chamber. Leave granted. I thank the Senate and I...
- Palestine (0 speeches)
- (1 speech)
I move:That the Senate—(a)acknowledges and sympathises with the Palestinian families whose homes were destroyed or seized, and family members killed or injured, 60 years ago at the...
- Renewable Energy (Electricity) Amendment (Feed-in-Tariff) Bill 2008 (0 speeches)
- First Reading (1 speech)
I move: That the following bill be introduced: A Bill for an Act to amend the Renewable Energy (Electricity) Act 2000 to support the greater commercialisation of renewable energy technologies,...
- 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...
- Commonwealth Electoral Amendment (Political Donations and Other Measures) Bill 2008 (0 speeches)
- First Reading (1 speech)
At the request of Senator Faulkner, I move: That the following bill be introduced: a Bill for an Act to amend the Commonwealth Electoral Act 1918, and for related purposes. Question agreed to. I...
- Second Reading (1 speech)
On behalf of Senator Faulkner, I table the 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...
- Business (0 speeches)
- Consideration of Legislation (1 speech)
At the request of Senator McLucas, I move: That the provisions of paragraphs (5) to (8) of standing order 111 not apply to the Social Security and Veterans’ Entitlements Legislation...
- Wool Industry (0 speeches)
- (1 speech)
I seek leave to amend general business notice of motion No. 91. Leave granted. I move the motion as amended: That the Senate—(a)notes that:(i)the closure of the Commonwealth Scientific and...
- China: Earthquake (0 speeches)
- (1 speech)
I move:That the Senate—(a)expresses its deep sorrow and condolences at the massive destruction and loss of life and trauma suffered by people affected by the earthquake in southwest China;...
- 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 Parliamentary (Judicial Misbehaviour or Incapacity) Commission Bill 2007 be...
- Hospital Care for Women (0 speeches)
- (1 speech)
I move:That the Senate—(a)notes that:(i)throughout Australian hospitals, patients are managed in mixed gender wards and that assault, trauma and violence are too often perpetrated on women...
- International Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome and Fibromyalgia Awareness Week (0 speeches)
- (1 speech)
I move:That the Senate—(a)notes that the week beginning 11 May 2008 is International Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome and Fibromyalgia Awareness Week;(b)recognises...
- Heroin (0 speeches)
- (2 speeches)
I move:That the Senate—(a)notes that:(i)the Danish Parliament approved in February 2008 a pilot medical scheme to prescribe heroin to 500 of Denmark’s most seriously addicted and...
- Smoking in Films (0 speeches)
- (2 speeches)
I move:That the Senate—(a)notes:(i)the recent research done by the Cancer Council of New South Wales indicating that 70 per cent of top box office films contained depictions of smoking,...
- Burma (0 speeches)
- (1 speech)
I move:That the Senate—(a)recognises the massive destruction of cyclone Nargis in Burma; and(b)calls on the Burmese authorities to urgently remove all impediments to international aid and...
- Radioactive Waste Facilities (0 speeches)
- (1 speech)
I move:That the Senate—(a)notes that:(i)the Commonwealth Radioactive Waste Management Act 2005 and the Commonwealth Radioactive Waste Management Legislation Amendment Act 2006 facilitated...
- Committees (0 speeches)
- Defence Procurement (0 speeches)
- (1 speech)
At the request of Senator Minchin, I move:That there be laid on the table by the Minister representing the Minister for Defence, no later than 4 pm on Thursday, 19 June 2008, the red folder...
- Committees (0 speeches)
- Budget (0 speeches)
- Committees (0 speeches)
- Publications Committee; Report (1 speech)
On behalf of Senator Carol Brown, I present the second report of the Senate Standing Committee on Publications. Ordered that the report be adopted.
- Treaties Committee; Report (1 speech)
On behalf of the Joint Standing Committee on Treaties, I present report No. 90 of the committee, Treaties tabled on 12 March 2008, and seek leave to move a motion in relation to the report....
- Business (0 speeches)
- Rearrangement (1 speech)
I move: That—(a)business of the Senate order of the day no. 1, relating to the presentation of the report of the Community Affairs Committee on the provisions of the Families, Housing,...
- Higher Education Support Amendment (Removal of the Higher Education Workplace Relations Requirements and National Governance Protocols Requirements and Other Matters) Bill 2008; Veterans’ Entitlements Legislation Amendment (2007 Election Commitments) 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— HIGHER EDUCATION...
- Social Security and Veterans’ Entitlements Legislation Amendment (One-Off Payments and Other Budget Measures) Bill 2008 (0 speeches)
- First Reading (1 speech)
Bill received from the House of Representatives.
- Second Reading (4 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— This bill delivers on...
- Third Reading (0 speeches)
Bill passed through its remaining stages without amendment or debate.
- Tax Laws Amendment (Personal Income Tax Reduction) Bill 2008 (0 speeches)
- Second Reading (17 speeches)
Debate resumed from 13 March, on motion by Senator Wong: That this bill be now read a second time. (Quorum formed)
- Business (0 speeches)
- Rearrangement (1 speech)
I seek leave to amend government business notice of motion No. 3 in the terms circulated in the chamber. Leave granted. I move the motion as amended: That, on Thursday, 15 May...
- Tax Laws Amendment (Personal Income Tax Reduction) Bill 2008 (0 speeches)
- Commonwealth Authorities and Companies Amendment Bill 2008 (0 speeches)
- Second Reading (0 speeches)
Debate resumed from 20 March, on motion by Senator Conroy: That this bill be now read a second time. Question agreed to. Bill read a second time.
- Third Reading (0 speeches)
Bill passed through its remaining stages without amendment or debate.
- Statute Law Revision Bill 2008 (0 speeches)
- Second Reading (0 speeches)
Debate resumed from 19 March, on motion by Senator Carr: That this bill be now read a second time. Question agreed to. Bill read a second time.
- Third Reading (2 speeches)
I move: That this bill be now read a third time.
- Offshore Petroleum Amendment (Miscellaneous Measures) Bill 2008 (0 speeches)
- Second Reading (0 speeches)
Debate resumed from 14 May, on motion by Senator Carr: That this bill be now read a second time. Question agreed to. Bill read a second time.
- Third Reading (0 speeches)
Bill passed through its remaining stages without amendment or debate.
- Superannuation Legislation Amendment (Trustee Board and Other Measures) (Consequential Amendments) Bill 2008 (0 speeches)
- Second Reading (2 speeches)
Debate resumed from 17 March, on motion by Senator Ludwig: 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. Sitting suspended from 1.07 pm to 2.00 pm
- Ministerial Statements (0 speeches)
- Fiji: Australian High Commission (1 speech)
Mr President, I seek leave of the Senate to make a short ministerial statement on threats to the Australian high commissioner and his staff in Fiji. Leave granted. I thank the Senate. I would...
- Questions without Notice (0 speeches)
- Asylum Seekers (9 speeches)
My question is to the Minister for Immigration and Citizenship, Senator Evans. As the minister is no doubt aware, the threat of people-smuggling in the region remains high. I refer the minister...
- Budget (29 speeches)
My question is to the Minister for Superannuation and Corporate Law, Senator Sherry. Can the minister update the Senate on the community’s response to key aspects—
- Skills Shortage (2 speeches)
My question is to the Minister for Immigration and Citizenship, Senator Evans. Can the minister outline to the Senate what migration measures the government has taken to ease the skills shortages?
- Medicare (7 speeches)
My question is directed to Senator Ludwig, the Minister representing the Minister for Health and Ageing. Given that half a million people will leave the private health and hospital system as a...
- Water (4 speeches)
My question is directed to the Minister for Climate Change and Water, Senator Wong. Minister, one and a half months ago the government received a report it commissioned on the falling water level...
- Budget (22 speeches)
My question is to the Minister for Innovation, Industry, Science and Research, Senator Carr. Minister, can you confirm that 85 CSIRO scientists will lose their jobs as a result of the...
- Education Funding (4 speeches)
My question is addressed to the Minister representing the Minister for Education, Senator Carr, and I refer to the government’s consultations with the higher education sector on how to...
- Budget (5 speeches)
My question is to the Minister representing the Minister for Resources and Energy, Senator Carr. Can the minister inform the Senate how Labor’s new $2.5 billion tax on crude oil condensate...
- Questions without Notice: Additional Answers (0 speeches)
- Health (2 speeches)
Yesterday, Senator Watson asked me a question about funding for the Tasmanian health services infrastructure plan, and I undertook to provide a detailed answer for Senator Watson. The Rudd...
- Centrelink Chief Executive Officer (0 speeches)
- (1 speech)
by leave—Earlier today the CEO of Centrelink, Mr Jeff Whalan, informed me that he will be retiring as Centrelink Chief Executive Officer later this year. On behalf of this government I...
- Questions without Notice: Take Note of Answers (0 speeches)
- Budget (7 speeches)
I move: That the Senate take note of the answers given by the Minister for Human Services (Senator Ludwig) and the Minister for Innovation, Industry, Science and Research (Senator Carr) to...
- Auditor-General’S Reports (0 speeches)
- Report No. 33 of 2007-08 (1 speech)
In accordance with the provisions of the Auditor-General Act 1997, I present the following report of the Auditor-General: Audit report No. 33 2007-08: Performance audit: the National Capital...
- Committees (0 speeches)
- Privileges Committee; Report (3 speeches)
On behalf of the Committee of Privileges, I present the 133rd report of the committee, entitled Possible false or misleading evidence before the Legal and Constitutional Affairs Committee....
- Community Affairs Committee; Report (1 speech)
On behalf of Senator Moore as the chair of this committee, I present the report of the Community Affairs Committee on the provisions of the Families, Housing, Community Services and Indigenous...
- Membership (2 speeches)
The President has received letters from party leaders seeking variations to the membership of committees.
- Budget (0 speeches)
- (63 speeches)
I move: That the Senate acknowledges that the first Rudd-Gillard Government budget is a high taxing, high spending, old fashioned Labor budget that is not inflation fighting. (Quorum formed)
- Telecommunications Legislation Amendment (National Broadband Network) Bill 2008 (0 speeches)
- Consideration of House of Representatives Message (13 speeches)
Message received from the House of Representatives returning the Telecommunications Legislation Amendment (National Broadband Network) Bill 2008 , informing the Senate that the House has agreed...
- Budget (0 speeches)
- Statement and Documents (4 speeches)
Debate resumed from 13 May, on motion by Senator Sherry: That the Senate take note of the Budget statement and documents.
- Adjournment (0 speeches)
- (1 speech)
Order! It being 9.13 pm, I propose the question: That the Senate do now adjourn.
- National Families Week 2008 (1 speech)
I rise this evening to talk about National Families Week 2008, which we have celebrated this week between 11 and 17 May. National Families Week is an annual event involving tens of thousands of...
- Automotive Industry (1 speech)
The news earlier this year that Mitsubishi had ceased manufacturing in Australia was not unexpected, but it was still a devastating blow for its workers and an unwanted decision for South...
- 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] Financial Management and Accountability...
