Senate debates
Wednesday, 27 August 2008
- Business (0 speeches)
- Rearrangement (1 speech)
I move: That consideration of the business before the Senate on the following days be interrupted at 5 pm, but not so as to interrupt a senator speaking, to enable senators to make their first...
- Migration Legislation Amendment Bill (No. 1) 2008 (0 speeches)
- Second Reading (2 speeches)
Debate resumed from 25 June, on motion by Senator Carr: That this bill be now read a second time.
- In Committee (4 speeches)
Bill—by leave—taken as a whole.
- Higher Education Support Amendment (Removal of the Higher Education Workplace Relations Requirements and National Governance Protocols Requirements and Other Matters) Bill 2008 (0 speeches)
- Second Reading (3 speeches)
Debate resumed from 15 May, on motion by Senator Sherry: That this bill be now read a second time.
- Senators Sworn (0 speeches)
- (1 speech)
As Senator Sherry was absent yesterday, I will now administer the oath or affirmation of allegiance as required by section 42 of the Constitution. I remind honourable senators that Senator...
- Higher Education Support Amendment (Removal of the Higher Education Workplace Relations Requirements and National Governance Protocols Requirements and Other Matters) Bill 2008 (0 speeches)
- Committees (0 speeches)
- National Health Amendment (Pharmaceutical and Other Benefits — Cost Recovery) Bill 2008 (0 speeches)
- Second Reading (1 speech)
Debate resumed from 16 June, on motion by Senator Faulkner: That this bill be now read a second time.
- Matters of Public Interest (0 speeches)
- (1 speech)
Order! It being 12.45 pm, I call on matters of public interest.
- Equal Pay Day (1 speech)
Today I want to talk about 27 August being Equal Pay Day, which has been so named by the Equal Opportunity for Women in the Workplace Agency, EOWA. EOWA is calling on all employers in our country...
- Water (3 speeches)
I congratulate Anna McPhee on the great work she does in the area of equal opportunity in the workplace for women. I am grateful for the opportunity to speak today on the matter of water, and for...
- Social Security and Veterans' Entitlements Legislation Amendment (Schooling Requirements) Bill 2008 (1 speech)
I would like to speak about the legislation that was tabled in the House of Representatives today that deals with truancy. The Minister for Education, Julia Gillard, today tabled a bill in the...
- Peacekeeping Operations (5 speeches)
I rise to speak today in this debate on matters of public interest to make a few comments with regard to Australia’s role in peacekeeping operations, with particular reference to the United...
- Australian Building and Construction Commission (7 speeches)
I also rise to speak in the matters of public interest debate. Can I say how lovely it is to see you in the chair, Mr Acting Deputy President Trood.
- Questions without Notice (0 speeches)
- Pensions and Benefits (11 speeches)
My question is to the Minister representing the Minister for Families, Housing, Community Services and Indigenous Affairs, Senator Evans. I refer the minister to the Prime Minister’s...
- Education (2 speeches)
Mr President, my question is to the Minister for Innovation, Industry, Science and Research, Senator Carr. Can the minister inform the Senate what the government is doing to assist disadvantaged...
- Taxation (14 speeches)
Mr President, my question is to the Minister for Innovation, Industry, Science and Research, Senator Carr. Has the government received direct representations from Australian car manufacturers...
- Budget (5 speeches)
Mr President, can I add my congratulations to you on your election yesterday. My question is to the Minister representing the Treasurer, Senator Conroy. Is the minister aware of the proposals to...
- Distinguished Visitors (0 speeches)
- (2 speeches)
Order! I draw the attention of honourable senators to the presence in the chamber of a parliamentary delegation from France, led by Senator Dominique Leclerc. On behalf of all senators, I wish...
- Questions without Notice (0 speeches)
- Economy (4 speeches)
My question is to the Minister representing the Treasurer, Senator Conroy. I refer the minister to the Financial Review this morning, which reported the following: Commonwealth Securities...
- Environment (4 speeches)
My question is to the Minister representing the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and the Arts, Senator Wong, and relates to the proposed Waratah coalmine pipeline railway and port facility...
- Economy (4 speeches)
My question is to the Minister representing the Minister for Resources and Energy, Senator Carr. I refer to Woodside’s statement today that the government’s new tax on gas will result...
- Financial Services (4 speeches)
Mr President, my question is to the Minister for Superannuation and Corporate Law, Senator Sherry. Can the minister inform the Senate of the government’s approach to ensuring that Australia...
- Distinguished Visitors (0 speeches)
- (2 speeches)
Order! I draw the attention of honourable senators to the presence in the chamber of a parliamentary delegation from Canada, led by the Hon. Peter Milliken MP, Speaker of the House of Commons. On...
- Questions without Notice (0 speeches)
- Government Contracts (5 speeches)
I also pass on my congratulations to you, Mr President, and to Senator Ferguson. My question is to the Special Minister of State. Minister, 93 days ago, on 27 May, you advised that the government...
- Medical Practitioners (7 speeches)
My question is to the Minister representing the Minister for Health and Ageing, Senator Ludwig. Given that Australia’s health system is in crisis and we have an ageing population, an...
- Manufacturing (10 speeches)
My question is to the Minister for Innovation, Industry, Science and Research, Senator Carr. Will the minister be convening an urgent crisis meeting, as called for by the AMWU, to discuss the...
- Questions without Notice: Additional Answers (0 speeches)
- Economy (3 speeches)
During question time there was a dispute between Senator Abetz and me concerning the threshold figure for the luxury car tax. The threshold figure was $57,123 at the time of the budget. It has...
- Questions without Notice: Take Note of Answers (0 speeches)
- Pensions and Benefits (13 speeches)
I move: That the Senate take note of the answer given by the Minister for Immigration and Citizenship (Senator Evans) to a question without notice asked by Senator Coonan today relating to the...
- Environment (1 speech)
I move: That the Senate take note of the answer given by the Minister for Climate Change and Water (Senator Wong) to a question without notice asked by Senator Milne today relating to proposed...
- Notices (0 speeches)
- Withdrawal (1 speech)
At the request of Minister Wong, I withdraw business of the Senate notice of motion No. 2.
- Presentation (0 speeches)
Senator Sterle to move on the next day of sitting:That the time for the presentation of the report of the Rural and Regional Affairs and Transport Committee on the implementation, operation and...
- Committees (0 speeches)
- Selection of Bills Committee; Report (1 speech)
I present the eighth 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: Business of the Senate notice of motion no. 1 standing in the name of Senator O’Brien for today, proposing a reference to the Rural and...
- Committees (0 speeches)
- Illegal Fishing (0 speeches)
- (12 speeches)
I move:That the Senate:(a)notes that:(i)4 years ago more than 100 fishermen in Queensland had criminal convictions recorded against them and were each fined $2,500 for innocently dropping a...
- Committees (0 speeches)
- Bass Coast Desalination Plant (0 speeches)
- (3 speeches)
I move:That the Senate—(a)recognises that the desalination plant planned for Victoria’s Bass Coast near Phillip Island:(i)will produce 1.4 million tonnes of greenhouse gases annually...
- Committees (0 speeches)
- Murray-Darling River System (0 speeches)
- (2 speeches)
I, and also on behalf of Senators Minchin, Bernardi, Birmingham, Ferguson and Fisher, move:That there be laid on the table, no later than noon on Thursday, 28 August 2008, the ‘urgent...
- Sas Signaller Sean Mccarthy (0 speeches)
- (1 speech)
At the request of Senator Minchin, I move:That the Senate—(a)records its deep regret and sadness at the death of Signaller Sean McCarthy who died as part of a roadside bomb attack in...
- Gunns Pulp Mill (0 speeches)
- (9 speeches)
I move:That there be laid on the table, no later than 4 pm on 28 August 2008, the report prepared for the Federal Government by Dr Michael Herzfeld, a Coastal Environmental Modeller with the...
- MV Tampa: Seventh Anniversary (0 speeches)
- (1 speech)
I move:That the Senate—(a)notes that:(i)26 August marked the 7th anniversary of the rescue of 433 asylum seekers by the MV Tampa,(ii)this rescue was followed by the refusal of the Coalition...
- National Hearing Awareness Week (0 speeches)
- (1 speech)
I move:That the Senate—(a)notes:(i)that the week beginning 24 August 2008 is National Hearing Awareness Week, and the theme for 2008 is ‘one in six’, which highlights the fact...
- Matters of Urgency (0 speeches)
- (1 speech)
I inform the Senate that Senator Bernardi has withdrawn the urgency motion which he had indicated he intended to move today.
- Committees (0 speeches)
- Scrutiny of Bills Committee; Report (1 speech)
Mr Deputy President, I do not think that I have had the opportunity to congratulate you on your election. It is well deserved. I present the seventh report of 2008 of the Senate Standing...
- Excise Legislation Amendment (Condensate) Bill 2008; Excise Tariff Amendment (Condensate) Bill 2008 (0 speeches)
- Report of Economics (1 speech)
On behalf of the Chair of the Standing Committee on Economics, Senator Hurley, I present the report of the committee on the Excise Legislation Amendment (Condensate) Bill 2008, the Excise Tariff...
- Tax Laws Amendment (Medicare Levy Surcharge Thresholds) Bill 2008 (0 speeches)
- Report of Economics (1 speech)
On behalf of the Chair of the Standing Committee on Economics, Senator Hurley, I present the report of the committee on the Tax Laws Amendment (Medicare Levy Surcharge Thresholds) Bill 2008 and...
- National Fuelwatch (Empowering Consumers) Bill 2008; National Fuelwatch (Empowering Consumers) (Consequential Amendments) Bill 2008 (0 speeches)
- Report of Economics Committee (1 speech)
On behalf of Senator Hurley I present an interim report of the Economics Committee on the National Fuelwatch (Empowering Consumers) Bill 2008 and a related bill. Ordered that the report be printed.
- Ministerial Statements (0 speeches)
- Aged Care (1 speech)
I table a ministerial statement on unannounced visits at nursing homes.
- Committees (0 speeches)
- Great Barrier Reef Marine Park and Other Legislation Amendment Bill 2008; Therapeutic Goods Legislation Amendment (Annual Charges) Bill 2008; Financial Framework Legislation Amendment 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— GREAT BARRIER REEF...
- Great Barrier Reef Marine Park and Other Legislation Amendment Bill 2008 (0 speeches)
- Referral to Committee (10 speeches)
I move: That the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park and Other Legislation Amendment Bill 2008 be referred to the Environment, Communications and the Arts Committee for inquiry and report by 10...
- First Speech (0 speeches)
- (6 speeches)
Before I call Senator Pratt, I remind honourable senators that this is her first speech. I, therefore, ask that the usual courtesies be extended to her.
- Committees (0 speeches)
- Community Affairs Committee; Reference (24 speeches)
Debate resumed from 26 August, on motion by Senator Bob Brown: That the following matters be referred to the Community Affairs Committee for inquiry and report by 26 November 2008:(a)exemptions...
- Documents (0 speeches)
- Australian Landcare Council (1 speech)
I move: That the Senate take note of the document. I stand tonight to speak on the Australian Landcare Council annual report 2006-07 and to share some observations on the recent actions of the...
- Consideration (0 speeches)
General business orders of the day Nos 64 to 73 relating to government documents were called on but no motion was moved.
- Adjournment (0 speeches)
- (1 speech)
Order! There being no further consideration of government documents, I propose the question: That the Senate do now adjourn.
- Child Care (1 speech)
Last Thursday, 21 August, I was proud to assist in the ACT launch of the Big Steps in Childcare campaign. For many years now we have worked to support parents, children and childcare workers...
- Herbal Supplements (1 speech)
Mr President, it is a pleasure to make my first comments in this chamber under your presidency and I congratulate you on that. I rise tonight to talk about an issue that was raised with me by a...
- Obesity (3 speeches)
Mr President, let me firstly congratulate you on your appointment, as this is the first opportunity I have had to do that. Tonight I rise to speak on the issue of the obesity epidemic and to...
- Rudd Government (1 speech)
Mr President, I congratulate you on your presidency. I thought I would take the last spot on tonight’s adjournment because, now that we start the long stretch up to Christmas, I want to...
- Documents (0 speeches)
- Tabling (0 speeches)
The following government documents were tabled: Air Passenger Ticket Levy (Collection) Act 2001Report for 1 April 2007 to 31 March 2008. Australian Government Solicitor (AGS)—Statement...
