Senate debates
Thursday, 12 March 2009
- 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 Christopher John...
- Senators Sworn (0 speeches)
- (0 speeches)
Senator Christopher John Back made and subscribed the oath of allegiance.
- MR Trevor Fowler (0 speeches)
- (2 speeches)
This week sees the retirement of a highly valued and very well respected member of Hansard, Mr Trevor Fowler, and Trevor has joined us in the chamber today. Over an uninterrupted and...
- Notices (0 speeches)
- Presentation (0 speeches)
Senator Bob Brown to move two sitting days after today:That the Senate calls on the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and the Arts (Mr Garrett) to prevent any deliberate action which would...
- Business (0 speeches)
- Rearrangement (5 speeches)
I move: That the order of general business for consideration today be as follows:(a)general business order of the day no. 67 (Protecting Children from Junk Food Advertising (Broadcasting...
- Committees (0 speeches)
- 50TH Anniversary of the Tibetan Uprising and Tibet's Future (0 speeches)
- (3 speeches)
I move:That the Senate—(a)notes:(i)the 50th anniversary of the Tibetan uprising of 10 March 1959 and the Dalai Lama’s exile to India, and(ii)the continuing human rights concerns in...
- Rio Tinto: Chinalco Purchase (0 speeches)
- (1 speech)
I move:That the Senate—(a)notes that, according to the Aluminum Corporation of China (Chinalco), the Chinese Government has potential control over Chinalco through the power of appointment...
- Executive Remuneration (0 speeches)
- (1 speech)
I move:That the Senate—(a)supports the measures to address the excesses of executives in the United States of America proposed by President Obama which include:(i)a $500,000 salary cap for...
- Burma (0 speeches)
- (1 speech)
I seek leave to amend general business notice of motion No. 385 standing in my name. Leave granted. I thank the Senate. I amend the motion in the terms circulated in the chamber and I move:That...
- Budget (0 speeches)
- Federal Financial Relations Bill 2009; Federal Financial Relations (Consequential Amendments and Transitional Provisions) Bill 2009 (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— FEDERAL FINANCIAL...
- 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 on the examination of annual reports tabled by 31 October 2008. Ordered that the reports be printed.
- Tax Laws Amendment (2008 Measures No. 6) Bill 2009 (0 speeches)
- Second Reading (6 speeches)
Debate resumed from 10 March, on motion by Senator Ludwig: That this bill be now read a second time.
- Third Reading (0 speeches)
Bill passed through its remaining stages without amendment or debate.
- Tax Agent Services Bill 2008 (0 speeches)
- Second Reading (6 speeches)
Debate resumed from 13 February, on motion by Senator Sherry: That this bill be now read a second time.
- Third Reading (0 speeches)
Bill passed through its remaining stages without amendment or debate.
- Federal Financial Relations Bill 2009; Federal Financial Relations (Consequential Amendments and Transitional Provisions) Bill 2009 (0 speeches)
- Second Reading (5 speeches)
Debate resumed.
- Third Reading (0 speeches)
Bills passed through their remaining stages without amendment or debate. Sitting suspended from 12.48 pm to 2.00 pm
- Questions without Notice (0 speeches)
- Employment (27 speeches)
My question is directed to the Leader of the Government in the Senate, Senator Evans. I refer to today’s Australian Bureau of Statics figures which show that a further 53,800 Australians...
- Economy (10 speeches)
My question is to the Leader of the Government in the Senate, Senator Evans. I refer to the $75 million given to non-Australian residents living overseas as part of Rudd Labor’s failed...
- Burma (6 speeches)
My question is to the Minister representing the Minister for Foreign Affairs. In his statement of 22 October 2008 the foreign minister announced that the Australian government would...
- Queensland State Election (11 speeches)
My question is to Senator Carr, the Minister representing the Minister for Education. Can the minister inform the Senate how much federal money is included in Anna Bligh’s $72 million...
- Telecommunications (8 speeches)
My question is to the Minister for Broadband, Communications and the Digital Economy, Senator Conroy. Can the minister outline what the government is doing to improve telecommunications services...
- Queensland: Bureau of Meteorology (6 speeches)
My question is to the Minister Representing the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and the Arts. I ask this in a week when a category 5 cyclone has travelled down the entire coast of...
- Distinguished Visitors (0 speeches)
- (2 speeches)
Order! I draw to the attention of honourable senators the presence in the President’s gallery of Senator Obert Gutu, Chief Whip in the Zimbabwe Senate. On behalf of all senators, I wish you...
- Questions without Notice (0 speeches)
- Executive Salaries (6 speeches)
My question is to the Minister representing the Prime Minister, Senator Chris Evans. Given that Australians are appalled at the outrageous salary packages which are being paid to senior...
- Bushmaster Infantry Mobility Vehicle (10 speeches)
My question is to the Minister for Innovation, Industry, Science and Research, Senator Carr. Minister, in your role as minister for industry, can you explain why the government has agreed to...
- Economy (6 speeches)
My question is to the Minister for Human Services, Senator Ludwig. Can the minister inform the Senate of how the Rudd government’s household stimulus package will support Australian workers...
- Trade: Bananas (14 speeches)
My question is to Senator Nick Sherry, the Minister representing the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry. Could the senator inform the house of the biosecurity risks from the...
- Questions without Notice: Additional Answers (0 speeches)
- Child Care (1 speech)
On 11 March, Senator Xenophon asked me a question about child care. I seek leave to incorporate a supplementary answer in Hansard. Leave granted. The answer read as follows— Does the...
- Australia Post (1 speech)
On 11 March, Senator Brown asked me a question about Australia Post. I seek leave to incorporate the answer in Hansard. Leave granted. The answer read as follows— Question: How many people...
- Questions without Notice: Take Note of Answers (0 speeches)
- Answers to Questions (15 speeches)
I move: That the Senate take note of the answers given by ministers to questions without notice asked today. I would like to commence with Senator Carr’s answer to my question relating to...
- Matters of Urgency (0 speeches)
- Emissions Trading Scheme (25 speeches)
I inform the Senate that the President has received the following letter, dated 12 March 2009, from Senator Brandis: Dear Mr President, Pursuant to standing order 75, I give notice that today I...
- Documents (0 speeches)
- Responses to Senate Resolutions (1 speech)
The Acting Deputy President: I present a response from the High Commissioner for Sri Lanka (His Excellency Mr Senaka Walgampaya, PC) to a resolution of the Senate of 11 February 2009 concerning...
- Water Act 2007 (0 speeches)
- Return to Order (1 speech)
by leave—With reference to Senator Fisher’s return to order motion of 3 December 2008 for the release of documentation relating to section 86A of the Water Act 2007, I table a...
- Committees (0 speeches)
- Membership (2 speeches)
The Acting Deputy President: Order! The President has received letters from a party leader requesting changes in the membership of committees.
- Protecting Children from Junk Food Advertising (Broadcasting Amendment) Bill 2008 (0 speeches)
- Second Reading (19 speeches, 1 comment)
Debate resumed from 4 September, on motion by Senator Bob Brown: That this bill be now read a second time.
- Documents (0 speeches)
- Bureau of Meteorology (7 speeches)
Debate resumed from 13 November 2008, on motion by Senator Williams: That the Senate take note of the document.
- Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government (5 speeches)
Debate resumed from 13 November 2008, on motion by Senator Williams: That the Senate take note of the document.
- Schools Assistance (Learning Together — Achievement Through Choice and Opportunity) Act 2004 (3 speeches)
I move: That the Senate take note of the document. The Report on financial assistance granted to each state in respect of 2007 provides a detailed breakdown of expenditure in 2007 from funds...
- Telstra (13 speeches)
I move: That the Senate take note of the document. The Telstra Sale Co. Ltd Report for 2007-08 reminds us of the failed National Broadband Network proposal of the current federal Minister for...
- Consideration (0 speeches)
The following orders of the day were considered: Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation (ANSTO)—Report for 2007-08. Motion of Senator Williams to take note of document...
- Committees (0 speeches)
- Rural and Regional Affairs and Transport Committee; Report (7 speeches)
Debate resumed from 4 December 2008, on motion by Senator Crossin: That the Senate take note of the report.
- Consideration (0 speeches)
The following orders of the day relating to committee reports and government responses were considered: Legal and Constitutional Affairs—Standing Committee—Report—Disability...
- Auditor-General’S Reports (0 speeches)
- Consideration (0 speeches)
The following orders of the day relating to reports of the Auditor-General were considered: Auditor-General—Australian National Audit Office—Report for 2007-08. Motion of Senator...
- Standing Orders (0 speeches)
- (1 speech)
Earlier this evening, Senator Bob Brown asked that a ruling made by Senator Forshaw as Acting Deputy President be referred to me for adjudication. Senator Forshaw ruled that a motion moved by...
- Adjournment (0 speeches)
- (1 speech)
Order! There being no further consideration of committee reports, government responses and Auditor-General’s reports, I propose the question: That the Senate do now adjourn.
- Radyo Pilipino (1 speech)
I rise this evening to congratulate Adelaide’s Radyo Pilipino on celebrating its 30th anniversary, which occurred last year. Perhaps I can be forgiven for my tardiness as I only entered the...
- Ethical Banking (1 speech)
I would like to back up what my predecessor, Senator Farrell, has said in relation to Filipinos. A very good friend of mine is Dr Joe Adriano, our parish priest in Inverell, a very decent man. I...
- Navy: Ceremonial Fleet Entry (2 speeches)
I seek leave to incorporate Senator Forshaw’s speech. Leave granted.
- United Nations Parliamentary Association (1 speech)
Yesterday I had the pleasure of attending the first meeting of the United Nations Parliamentary Association, a new parliamentary group designed to deepen and extend the relationship between this...
- Diabetes (3 speeches)
Tonight I stand to congratulate Diabetes Tasmania on a fourth consecutive successful Tasmanian Pollie Pedal. A special thank you tonight goes to Caroline Wells, the CEO of Diabetes Tasmania, who...
- Documents (0 speeches)
- Tabling (0 speeches)
The following documents were tabled by the Clerk: Higher Education Support Act—Funding Agreements under section 30-25, in respect of grant years— 2008, dated 15 December...
- Indexed Lists of Files (0 speeches)
The following documents were tabled pursuant to the order of the Senate of 30 May 1996, as amended: Indexed lists of departmental and agency files for the period 1 July to 31 December...
