Senate debates
Wednesday, 18 March 2009
- Committees (0 speeches)
- Migration Amendment (Abolishing Detention Debt) Bill 2009 (0 speeches)
- First Reading (1 speech)
I move: That the following bill be introduced: a Bill for an Act to amend the law relating to migration, and for other purposes. Question agreed to. I present the bill and move: That this bill...
- Second Reading (1 speech)
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 incorporated in Hansard. Leave granted....
- Business (0 speeches)
- Consideration of Legislation (33 speeches)
As I understand it, there are three bills which should be removed from the list of bills to be exempt from the cut-off: the Commonwealth Electoral Amendment (Political Donations and Other...
- Customs Tariff Amendment (2009 Measures No. 1) Bill 2009; Excise Tariff Amendment (2009 Measures No. 1) Bill 2009 (0 speeches)
- Consideration of House of Representatives Message (22 speeches)
Messages received from the House of Representatives returning the Customs Tariff Amendment (2009 Measures No. 1) Bill 2009 and the Excise Tariff Amendment (2009 Measures No. 1) Bill 2009, and...
- Matters of Public Interest (0 speeches)
- (1 speech)
Order! It being past 12.45 pm, I call on matters of public interest.
- Donations to Political Parties (1 speech)
This week the Senate has been debating the government’s bill to reform the law relating to campaign donations. The Commonwealth Electoral Amendment (Political Donations and Other Measures)...
- Queensland Hospitals (7 speeches)
I would like to speak during this time on a situation that is a real scandal—not a confected scandal about an individual using his own funds to support a political party, unlike the forced...
- Medicare Levy Surcharge (1 speech)
In July 2008 the Senate Standing Committee on Economics undertook an inquiry into the government’s proposal to increase the Medicare levy surcharge thresholds. On completion of the inquiry...
- Emissions Trading Scheme (1 speech)
I want to raise some serious issues on the emissions trading front that have not been exposed. The government is determined to go ahead with an emissions trading scheme, and no modelling has been...
- Nuclear Energy (7 speeches)
I am almost speechless. That is such a difficult act to follow—the Nationals in spirited defence of jobs on the Titanic! I would like to briefly change the subject and talk about a matter...
- Questions without Notice (0 speeches)
- Health (13 speeches)
My question is to Minister Ludwig, the Minister representing the Minister for Health and Ageing. Can the minister confirm that Rudd Labor is contributing $242 million of the $250 million...
- Economy (7 speeches)
My question is to Senator Conroy, the Minister representing the Treasurer. Can the minister outline to the Senate the importance of the Australian Business Investment Partnership for promoting...
- Murray-Darling River System (16 speeches)
My question is to the Minister for Climate Change and Water, Minister Wong. Why has the second tender process for water entitlement purchases in the northern Murray-Darling Basin been opened...
- Employment (6 speeches)
My question is to the Minister representing the Minister for Employment Participation, Senator Ludwig. Minister, how many Australian not-for-profit organisations have recently applied for tenders...
- Broadband (17 speeches)
My question is to the Minister for Broadband, Communications and the Digital Economy, Senator Conroy. I ask the minister: is it true that more than 12 months ago Labor cancelled the...
- Executive Remuneration (25 speeches)
My question is to the Minister for Superannuation and Corporate Law, Senator Sherry. Can the minister update the Senate on actions that the Rudd Labor government is taking to address the...
- Economy (42 speeches)
Mr President—
- Ms Britt Lapthorne (6 speeches)
My question is to the Minister representing the Minister for Foreign Affairs, Senator Faulkner. Given that at Senate estimates in October last year the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade...
- Army Slouch Hats (7 speeches)
My question is to the Minister for Innovation, Industry, Science and Research, Senator Carr. Will the minister guarantee that Australian manufacturers will continue to provide our diggers with...
- Questions without Notice: Additional Answers (0 speeches)
- Ms Britt Lapthorne (1 speech)
I can now provide some additional information to Senator Fielding in relation to the question he asked of me. I am advised that the Australian government has made extensive representations to the...
- Employment Services (1 speech)
During question time I sought a response from Minister O’Connor’s office in respect of Senator Siewert’s question. I am advised that in respect of the UES, the universal...
- Questions without Notice: Take Note of Answers (0 speeches)
- Answers to Questions (18 speeches)
I move: That the Senate take note of the answers given by ministers to questions without notice asked today. I would particularly like to address my remarks to the answers, or perhaps the...
- Notices (0 speeches)
- Presentation (4 speeches)
Senator Ferguson to move on the next day of sitting:That the Senate—(a)celebrates and commends the achievements of the Turkish community here in the Commonwealth of Australia that has been...
- Withdrawal (1 speech)
Mr Deputy President, I withdraw government business notice of motion no. 4 to vary the appointment of a select committee.
- Committees (0 speeches)
- Selection of Bills Committee; Report (1 speech)
I present the third report of 2009 of the Senate Standing Committee on the Selection of Bills. In moving that the report be adopted, I advise the Senate that although there was circulated to at...
- Economics Committee; Reference (11 speeches)
I ask that business of the Senate notice of motion No. 1 standing in my name pertaining to an Economics Committee inquiry into Foreign Investment Review Board guidelines be taken as a formal motion.
- Australian Human Rights Commission: Sex and Gender Diversity Project (0 speeches)
- (1 speech)
I move:That the Senate—(a)notes:(i)the release of the Australian Human Rights Commission concluding paper of the sex and gender diversity project, and(ii)this ‘sex files’...
- Queensland Oil Spill (0 speeches)
- (2 speeches)
I move:That the Senate calls on the Government to establish a Royal Commission to investigate all aspects of the oil spill and loss of containers containing ammonium nitrate from the vessel...
- Special Broadcasting Service Corporation (0 speeches)
- (1 speech)
I, and also on behalf of Senator Ludlam, move:That the Senate—(a)notes:(i)the unique national broadcasting service that the Special Broadcasting Service Corporation (SBS) provides to the...
- Committees (0 speeches)
- Economics Committee; Meeting (1 speech)
At the request of the Chair of the Senate Standing Committee on Economics, Senator Hurley, I move:That the Economics Committee be authorised to hold public meetings during the sittings of the...
- Scrutiny of Bills Committee; Report (2 speeches)
I present the third report of 2009 of the Senate Standing Committee for the Scrutiny of Bills. I also lay on the table Scrutiny of Bills Alert Digest No. 4 of 2009, dated 18 March 2009. Ordered...
- Business (0 speeches)
- Rearrangement (1 speech)
I inform the Senate that Senator Brandis has withdrawn the urgency motion that he had indicated that he intended to move today.
- Representation of Western Australia (0 speeches)
- (1 speech)
I table the original certificate of the choice by the Parliament of Western Australia of Dr Christopher John Back to fill the vacancy caused by the resignation of Senator Ellison.
- Committees (0 speeches)
- Climate Policy Committee; Membership (8 speeches)
The President has received letters from party leaders and an Independent senator seeking appointment to the Select Committee on Climate Policy. There are two nominations for one position on the...
- Social Security and Veterans’ Entitlements Amendment (Commonwealth Seniors Health Card) Bill 2009; Social Security Amendment (Liquid Assets Waiting Period) 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— SOCIAL SECURITY...
- Australian Business Investment Partnership Bill 2009; Australian Business Investment Partnership (Consequential Amendment) 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— AUSTRALIAN...
- Committees (0 speeches)
- Economics Committee; Reference (2 speeches)
I move:That the following matter be referred to the Economics Committee for inquiry and report by 17 June 2009:(a)the international experience of sovereign wealth funds and state-owned companies,...
- Environment, Communications and the Arts Committee; Report (3 speeches)
I present the first report of the Senate Standing Committee on Environment, Communications and the Arts on the operation of the Environment, Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999,...
- Customs Tariff Amendment (2009 Measures No. 1) Bill 2009; Excise Tariff Amendment (2009 Measures No. 1) Bill 2009 (0 speeches)
- Fair Work Bill 2008 (0 speeches)
- In Committee (3 speeches)
Consideration resumed from 17 March.
- Customs Tariff Amendment (2009 Measures No. 1) Bill 2009; Excise Tariff Amendment (2009 Measures No. 1) Bill 2009 (0 speeches)
- Recommittal (22 speeches)
Consideration resumed.
- Third Reading (0 speeches)
Question put: That these bills be now read a third time.
- Fair Work Bill 2008 (0 speeches)
- Committees (0 speeches)
- Membership (2 speeches)
The President has received a letter from a party leader seeking variations to the membership of a committee.
- Personal Explanations (0 speeches)
- (2 speeches)
by leave—I wish to make a statement concerning the most recent division on the Customs Tariff Amendment (2009 Measures No. 1) Bill 2009. I attended the previous division. I was unaware that...
- Documents (0 speeches)
- Australian Radiation Protection and Nuclear Safety Agency (10 speeches)
I move: That the Senate take note of the document. It is important that the Australian Radiation Protection and Nuclear Safety Agency reports to the parliament. I am pleased to see the chief...
- Telecommunications Funding (1 speech)
I move: That the Senate take note of the document. In doing so, I note that the purpose of the report refers to the representation of the interests of consumers in relation to telecommunications...
- Consideration (15 speeches)
The following order of the day relating to government documents was considered: Commonwealth Grants Commission—Report on State revenue sharing relativities—2009 update. Motion to take...
- Adjournment (0 speeches)
- (1 speech)
Order! It being past 7.20 pm, I propose the question: That the Senate do now adjourn.
- Rock Lobster Industry (1 speech)
I rise today to speak on a matter of great importance to the Western Australian community. I refer to the perilous state of WA’s estimated $300 million per annum rock lobster industry. It...
- Turkish-Australian Community (1 speech)
Mr President, as you are well aware, I rarely speak on adjournment, but tonight I have been moved to speak because of a series of events that have taken place this week. In particular, I want to...
- Mr Michael Atchison (1 speech)
I rise tonight to speak about one who South Australia claims as its own, and who sadly we recently farewelled. Cartoonist, artist and educator, Michael Atchison died on 16 February this year at...
- Commonwealth Grants Commission (1 speech)
I rise to address an issue that is relevant to Western Australia. It follows the announcement by the Commonwealth Grants Commission that Western Australia is to receive a $311 million cut in its...
- Documents (0 speeches)
- Tabling (0 speeches)
The following government document was tabled: Australian Radiation Protection and Nuclear Safety Agency—Quarterly report for the period 1 October to 31 December 2008. The following...
- Indexed Lists of Files (0 speeches)
The following document was 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...
