Senate debates
Tuesday, 2 February 2010
- Clerk of the Senate (0 speeches)
- (1 speech)
I remind honourable senators that today is the first sitting day for our new Clerk, Rosemary Laing. I wish her all the best in her role. I take this opportunity to inform the Senate that Cleaver...
- Temporary Chairmen of Committees (0 speeches)
- (1 speech)
Pursuant to standing order 12, I lay on the table warrants nominating Senators Boyce and Cash as additional Temporary Chairs of Committees when the Deputy President and Chairman of Committees is...
- Committees (0 speeches)
- Electoral Matters Committee; Meeting (1 speech)
by leave—I move: That the Joint Standing Committee on Electoral Matters be authorised to hold a public meeting during the sitting of the Senate today, from 12.30 pm till 2 pm, to...
- Membership (2 speeches)
I have received a letter from a party leader requesting changes in the membership of committees.
- Afghanistan (0 speeches)
- Suspension of Standing Orders (5 speeches)
Pursuant to contingent notice, I move: That so much of the standing orders be suspended as would prevent the senator moving—That:(a)Senator Bob Brown may immediately move a motion on the...
- Telecommunications (Interception and Access) Amendment Bill 2009 (0 speeches)
- Second Reading (7 speeches)
Debate resumed from 27 October 2009, on motion by Senator Stephens: That this bill be now read a second time.
- In Committee (13 speeches)
Bill—by leave—taken as a whole.
- Third Reading (1 speech)
by leave—I move: That this bill be now read a third time. Question agreed to. Bill read a third time.
- Business (0 speeches)
- Rearrangement (1 speech)
I move: That intervening business be postponed till after consideration of government business order of the day no. 3 (National Security Legislation Monitor Bill 2009 [2010]). Question agreed to.
- National Security Legislation Monitor Bill 2009 [2010] (0 speeches)
- Second Reading (6 speeches)
Debate resumed from 25 June, on motion by Senator Wong: That this bill be now read a second time.
- Ministerial Arrangements (0 speeches)
- (1 speech)
I table for information of the Senate a revised ministry list reflecting the changes to the ministry following the resignation of the Hon. Duncan Kerr SC, MP as the Parliamentary Secretary for...
- Liberal and National Parties (0 speeches)
- Leadership and Office Holders (1 speech)
I seek leave to incorporate in Hansard, the new coalition shadow ministry following the election of Mr Tony Abbott as the new opposition leader. Leave granted. The list read as follows—...
- Senate Temporary Orders (0 speeches)
- (1 speech)
Before we proceed to questions without notice, I have a comment about question time for the foreseeable future. Senators will be aware that today is the first day of operation of the new...
- Questions without Notice (0 speeches)
- United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change Conference (8 speeches)
My question is to the Minister representing the Prime Minister, Senator Chris Evans. How many people constituted the Australian delegation to the United Nations Copenhagen conference in December...
- Economy (10 speeches)
My question is to the Assistant Treasurer, Senator Sherry. Can the Assistant Treasurer inform the Senate of whether there have been significant developments in Australia’s economic outlook...
- 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 the Republic of Chile led by His Excellency Mr Jovino Novoa MP, President of...
- Questions without Notice (0 speeches)
- Emissions Trading Scheme (18 speeches)
My question is to Senator Evans, the Minister representing the Prime Minister. Can the minister inform the Senate by how much electricity prices will rise under the government’s massive new...
- Schools (18 speeches)
My question is to the Minister for Innovation, Industry, Science and Research, Senator Carr, representing the Minister for Education. Can the minister inform the Senate about the My School...
- Climate Change (14 speeches)
My question is to the Minister for Climate Change and Water, Senator Wong. Is it true that the opposition’s policy on climate change announced today will do almost nothing to protect...
- Asylum Seekers (13 speeches)
My question is to the Minister for Immigration and Citizenship, Senator Evans. Following the arrival of yet another boat last night—
- Building the Education Revolution (6 speeches)
My question, to the Minister Assisting the Prime Minister on Government Service Delivery, is in regard to the nation-building economic stimulus plan. Is the minister aware that, during the school...
- Asylum Seekers (6 speeches)
My question is to the Minister for Immigration and Citizenship, Senator Evans. Since the last meeting of the Senate, how many boats—in addition to last night’s arrival—carrying...
- Broadband (7 speeches)
My question is to the Minister for Broadband, Communications and the Digital Economy, Senator Conroy. Can the minister inform the Senate on the rollout of the National Broadband Network? In...
- Questions without Notice: Additional Answers (0 speeches)
- Testing and Certification Australia; Schools (1 speech)
Senator Heffernan asked me a question on 26 November 2009. I seek leave to incorporate further information in response to that question. Leave granted. The further information read as...
- Environment (1 speech)
I have just been provided with an answer to a question Senator Troeth asked me last year, in my capacity as Minister representing the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and the Arts,...
- Questions without Notice: Take Note of Answers (0 speeches)
- Notices (0 speeches)
- Presentation (0 speeches)
Senator Joyce to move on the next day of sitting:That the following matter be referred to the Economics References Committee for inquiry and report by 30 April 2010: The impact of native...
- Leave of Absence (0 speeches)
- (2 speeches)
by leave—I move: That leave of absence be granted to the following senators:(a)Senator Carol Brown from 2 to 4 February 2010 for personal reasons; and(b)Senator Faulkner on 4 February 2010...
- Committees (0 speeches)
- 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 Xenophon for today, proposing a reference to the Community Affairs...
- Asylum Seekers (0 speeches)
- Order (6 speeches)
At the request of Senator Fierravanti-Wells, I move:That there be laid on the table by the Minister representing the Prime Minister, no later than 2 pm on 3 February 2010, documents outlining or...
- Ministerial Statements (0 speeches)
- Afghanistan (1 speech)
I table a ministerial statement on Afghanistan.
- Higher Education Revolution (4 speeches)
I table a ministerial statement on the higher education revolution, and I seek leave to move a motion in relation to the statement. Leave granted. I move: That the Senate take note of the...
- Documents (0 speeches)
- Tabling (2 speeches)
Pursuant to standing orders 38 and 166, I present documents as listed below which were presented to the President, the Deputy President and temporary chairs of committees since the Senate last...
- Committees (0 speeches)
- Reporting Date (1 speech)
by leave—At the request of the Chair of the Senate Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade References Committee and the Chair of the Senate Rural and Regional Affairs and Transport References...
- Legal and Constitutional Affairs References Committee; Report (13 speeches)
I seek leave to speak on committee reports Nos 3 and 4 from the Legal and Constitutional Affairs References Committee. Leave granted. by leave—I move: That the Senate take note of the...
- Membership (2 speeches)
The President has received letters from party leaders requesting changes in the membership of committees.
- Australian Commission for Law Enforcement Integrity Committee; Membership (0 speeches)
Message received from the House of Representatives notifying the Senate of the appointment of Mr Debus to the Parliamentary Joint Committee on the Australian Commission for Law Enforcement Integrity.
- Social Security Amendment (National Green Jobs Corps Supplement) Bill 2009; Access to Justice (Civil Litigation Reforms) Amendment Bill 2009; Tax Laws Amendment (2009 Measures No. 5) Bill 2009; Appropriation (Water Entitlements and Home Insulation) Bill 2009-2010; Appropriation (Water Entitlements) Bill 2009-2010; Higher Education Support Amendment (Vet Fee-Help and Tertiary Admission Centres) Bill 2009; Federal Justice System Amendment (Efficiency Measures) Bill (No. 1) 2009; Auscheck Amendment Bill 2009; Fair Work Amendment (State Referrals and Other Measures) Bill 2009; Resale Royalty Right for Visual Artists Bill 2009; Tax Laws Amendment (Resale Royalty Right for Visual Artists) Bill 2009; Coal Mining Industry (Long Service Leave Funding) Amendment Bill 2009; Customs Tariff Amendment (Incorporation of Proposals) Bill 2009; Family Assistance Legislation Amendment (Participation Requirement) Bill 2009; Personal Property Securities Bill 2009; Personal Property Securities (Consequential Amendments) Bill 2009; Income Tax (TFN Withholding Tax (Ess)) Bill 2009; Tax Laws Amendment (2009 Budget Measures No. 2) Bill 2009; National Consumer Credit Protection Bill 2009; National Consumer Credit Protection (Transitional and Consequential Provisions) Bill 2009; Acis Administration Amendment (Application) Bill 2009 (0 speeches)
- Assent (0 speeches)
Messages from the Governor-General reported informing the Senate of assent to the bills.
- Committees (0 speeches)
- Business (0 speeches)
- Rearrangement (1 speech)
I move: That intervening business be postponed till after consideration of government business order of the day no. 2 (Foreign Acquisitions and Takeovers Amendment Bill 2009). Question agreed to.
- Foreign Acquisitions and Takeovers Amendment Bill 2009 (0 speeches)
- Second Reading (5 speeches)
Debate resumed from 26 November 2009, on motion by Senator Stephens: That this bill be now read a second time.
- Third Reading (0 speeches)
Bill passed through its remaining stages without amendment or debate.
- National Security Legislation Monitor Bill 2009 (0 speeches)
- Documents (0 speeches)
- Consideration (0 speeches)
The following government documents tabled earlier today were considered: Telecommunications Act 1997Funding of research and consumer representation in relation to telecommunications—Report...
- Adjournment (0 speeches)
- (1 speech)
Order! There being no further consideration of government documents, I propose the question: That the Senate do now adjourn.
- Dr Jacqueline Dewar (1 speech)
I want to use this first adjournment of the year to thank the now departed Secretary of the Parliamentary Joint Committee on the Australian Crime Commission, Dr Jacqueline Dewar. This is a...
- National Library of Australia (1 speech)
I rise this evening to make some remarks about the National Library of Australia, which in 2008 celebrated its 40th anniversary. Over the last two years I have had the privilege of serving on the...
- Australians with Disabilities (1 speech)
I rise this evening to bring to the attention of the Senate the very specific needs of Australians with disabilities and the government’s efforts to address these needs and improve...
- Robert Atkins (1 speech)
Tonight I pay tribute to a great Australian who made a significant contribution to my home state of South Australia and, indeed, to the nation. It is with great sadness that I stand in this place...
- Hon. Michael Hodgman QC, MP (3 speeches)
Tonight, I stand to pay a tribute to an outstanding member of parliament—one of the greatest orators of our time—and that is the Hon. Michael Hodgman QC, MP. Michael Hodgman has had...
- Mr Robert Atkins (1 speech)
I rise with deep sadness tonight to speak on the passing over the Christmas break of a great Australian, Mr Robert Atkins, and to support and endorse the remarks of Senator Xenophon earlier this...
- Q150: ‘An Oriental Journey through Queensland’ Exhibition (1 speech)
This evening I want to talk about an exhibition that was formed in Queensland as part of the Queensland 150 years celebration. The 150 years celebration gave an opportunity for people across...
- Documents (0 speeches)
- Tabling (0 speeches)
The following government documents were tabled: Advisory panel on the marketing in Australia of infant formula—Report for 2007-08. Aged Care Act 1997Report for 2008-09 on the operation of...
- Departmental and Agency Appointments and Vacancies (0 speeches)
DEPARTMENTAL AND AGENCY APPOINTMENTS AND VACANCIES—ORDER FOR PRODUCTION OF DOCUMENTS—DOCUMENTS The following documents were tabled pursuant to the order of the Senate of 24 June 2008,...
