Senate debates
Tuesday, 15 June 2010
- Committees (0 speeches)
- Fuel and Energy Committee; Meeting (1 speech)
by leave—I move: That the Select Committee on Fuel and Energy be authorised to hold a private meeting otherwise than in accordance with standing order 33(1) during the sitting of the Senate...
- Community Affairs References Committee; Meeting (1 speech)
by leave—I move: That the Community Affairs References Committee be authorised to hold a public meeting during the sitting of the Senate today, from 3.15 pm till 5 pm, to take...
- Excise Tariff Amendment (Tobacco) Bill 2010; Customs Tariff Amendment (Tobacco) Bill 2010 (0 speeches)
- First Reading (1 speech)
Bills received from the House of Representatives.
- Second Reading (8 speeches)
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— Excise Tariff...
- In Committee (12 speeches)
Bills—by leave—taken together and as a whole.
- Third Reading (1 speech)
I move: That these bills be now read a third time. Question agreed to. Bills read a third time.
- Paid Parental Leave Bill 2010; Paid Parental Leave (Consequential Amendments) Bill 2010 (0 speeches)
- First Reading (1 speech)
Bills received from the House of Representatives.
- Second Reading (3 speeches)
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— Paid Parental...
- Ministerial Arrangements (0 speeches)
- (1 speech)
by leave—I advise the Senate that Senator Carr will be away for the sittings this week. He is representing Australia at the international SKA forum in the Netherlands. I have already...
- Questions without Notice (0 speeches)
- (1 speech)
Order! I inform senators that the new digital clocks have been installed. These clocks can be set to periods of time of less than one minute and will therefore be set to 30 seconds for the asking...
- Budget (15 speeches)
My question is to the Minister representing the Minister for Resources and Energy, Senator Wong. Why did the government deliberately reject the Henry review’s recommendation not to impose...
- Economy (10 speeches)
My question is to the Assistant Treasurer, Senator Sherry. Can the Assistant Treasurer advise the Senate on the latest economic figures and forecasts for the Australian economy since the Senate...
- Budget (16 speeches)
My question is to the Minister representing the Minister for Resources and Energy, Senator Wong. Can the minister inform the Senate of the current and proposed mining projects in Western...
- Employment (16 speeches)
My question is to the Minister for Employment Participation, Senator Arbib. Can the minister advise the Senate of the latest unemployment data released by the Australian Bureau of Statistics last...
- Budget (10 speeches)
My question is to the Minister representing the Minister for Resources and Energy, Senator Wong. I refer to the detailed analysis of the Henry tax review, table C1-1, headed ‘Resources that...
- Asylum Seekers (8 speeches)
My question is to the Minister for Immigration and Citizenship. Is the minister aware of reports that aired on last night’s Lateline program referring to electronic weapons being used on...
- Government Advertising (17 speeches)
My question is to the Special Minister of State, Senator Ludwig. How does the minister defend his authorisation of $38.5 million of taxpayers’ money to fund an advertising campaign on their...
- Broadband (13 speeches)
My question is to the Minister for Broadband, Communications and the Digital Economy, Senator Conroy. Given that the government has prioritised the rollout of the National Broadband Network in...
- Asylum Seekers (6 speeches)
My question is to Senator Evans, as Minister for Immigration and Citizenship. Can the minister confirm that the cost of charter flights to and from Christmas Island has now trebled in just 10...
- Infrastructure (5 speeches)
My question is to the Minister representing the Minister for Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government, Senator Conroy. Can the minister inform the Senate what the Rudd...
- Questions without Notice: Additional Answers (0 speeches)
- Leaders Debate (1 speech)
I seek leave to incorporate and table an answer to a questions asked by Senator Bob Brown of me in my capacity as Minister representing the Prime Minister. Leave granted. The answer read as...
- Budget (1 speech)
I wish to table and incorporate a further response to a question from Senator Ludlam re the Veterans of British nuclear test (BNT) to Senator Faulkner. Leave granted. The answer read as...
- Questions without Notice: Take Note of Answers (0 speeches)
- Budget (15 speeches)
I move: That the Senate take note of the answer given by the Minister for Climate Change, Energy Efficiency and Water (Senator Wong) to questions without notice asked by Senator Abetz, Cash and...
- Personal Explanations (0 speeches)
- (1 speech)
Pursuant to standing order 190, I seek leave to make a personal explanation. Leave granted. Through you, Mr Deputy President, I am aware that certain claims have been made in respect of the...
- Condolences (0 speeches)
- Mr Urquhart Edward (Ted) Innes (1 speech)
It is with deep regret that I inform the Senate of the death on 28 May 2010 of Urquhart Edward Innes, a member of the House of Representatives for the division of Melbourne, Victoria from 1972 to...
- Sapper Jacob Daniel Moerland; Sapper Darren James Smith (5 speeches)
I seek leave to move a motion relating to the deaths of Sapper Jacob Moerland and Sapper Darren Smith. Leave granted. I move: That the Senate record its deep sorrow at the death of Sapper Jacob...
- Petitions (0 speeches)
- (1 speech)
The Clerk: Petitions have been lodged for presentation as follows:
- Leave of Absence (0 speeches)
- (1 speech)
by leave—I move: That leave of absence be granted to the following senators. Senator Carr from 15 June to 17 June 2010 on account of parliamentary business, and Senator McEwen on 15 June...
- Committees (0 speeches)
- Legislation Committees; Extension of Time (1 speech)
I move: That the time for the presentation of reports of committees be extended as set out in the motion circulated in the chamber. The list read as follows—(a)Legal and Constitutional...
- Environment, Communications and the Arts Legislation Committee; Meeting (1 speech)
At the request of the chair of the Environment, Communications and the Arts Legislation Committee, Senator McEwen, I seek leave to move a motion to enable the committee to meet during the sitting...
- Public Accounts and Audit Committee; Meeting (1 speech)
On behalf of the Joint Committee of Public Accounts and Audit, I seek leave to move a motion to enable the committee to meet during the sitting of the Senate. Leave granted. I move: That the...
- National Broadband Network Committee; Meeting (1 speech)
by leave—I move: That the Select Committee on the National Broadband Network be authorised to hold a private meeting otherwise than in accordance with standing order 33(1) during the...
- Notices (0 speeches)
- Presentation (0 speeches)
Senator Abetz to move on the next day of sitting:(1)That the Finance and Public Administration Legislation Committee reconvene to resume its consideration of the 2010-11 Budget estimates on...
- 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...
- Banking Amendment (Delivering Essential Financial Services for the Community) Bill 2010 (0 speeches)
- First Reading (1 speech)
I move: That the following bill be introduced: A Bill for an Act to deliver essential financial services at reasonable cost, fair mortgages for families and increased competition for the...
- Second Reading (1 speech)
I move: That this bill be now read a second time. I seek leave to table an explanatory memorandum relating to the bill. Leave granted. I table the explanatory memorandum and I seek leave to have...
- Committees (0 speeches)
- Rights of Donor Conceived Individuals (0 speeches)
- (4 speeches)
I move: That the Senate—(a)acknowledges that:(i)there are approximately 60 000 donor conceived individuals in Australia and with advances in reproductive technology this number is...
- Adoption (0 speeches)
- (1 speech)
I move: That the Senate—(a)recognises the grief, pain and anguish suffered by thousands of mothers who were victims of the forced adoption policies implemented by state governments for...
- Climate Change (0 speeches)
- (2 speeches)
At the request of Senator Milne, I move:That the Senate—(a)notes that:(i)the Rudd Government’s current and promised overseas aid commitment fails to meet the agreed United Nations...
- Matters of Public Importance (0 speeches)
- Infrastructure (9 speeches)
I have received a letter from Senator Ludlam proposing that a definite matter of public importance be submitted to the Senate for discussion, namely: The publication of the Australian...
- Ministerial Statements (0 speeches)
- Documents (0 speeches)
- Tabling (1 speech)
Pursuant to standing orders 38 and 166, I present documents listed on today’s Order of Business at item 15 which were presented to the President, the Deputy President and temporary chairs...
- Committees (0 speeches)
- Legislation Committees; Report (10 speeches)
On behalf of the respective chairs of the Environment, Communications and the Arts, Economics, Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade and the Rural and Regional Affairs and Transport legislation...
- Documents (0 speeches)
- Tabling (1 speech)
I seek leave to move a motion in relation to document No. 1. Leave granted. I move: That the Senate take note of the Select Committee on the National Broadband Network––Fourth interim...
- Departmental and Agency Contracts (3 speeches)
I seek leave to move a motion relating to all documents listed on page 12 and 13 of the Order of Business under section 15(g). Leave granted. I move: That the Senate take note of the documents. I...
- Committees (0 speeches)
- Reports (1 speech)
I seek leave to move a motion relating to all those committee reports listed on page 10 of the Order of Business which have not otherwise been dealt with, which would be documents 2 to 12. Leave...
- Finance and Public Administration Committee; Report: Government Response (1 speech)
by leave—I move: That the Senate take note of the document. I seek leave to continue my remarks later. Leave granted; debate adjourned.
- Documents (0 speeches)
- Tabling (1 speech)
On behalf of the President, I table a communique from the 15th National Schools Constitutional Convention held at Old Parliament House from 23 to 25 March 2010.
- Responses to Senate Resolutions (2 speeches)
I present responses to resolutions of the Senate as listed at item 16(a) on today’s Order of Business. The list read as follows— Assistant Treasurer (Senator Sherry) to a...
- Auditor-General’S Reports (0 speeches)
- Report Nos 39, 40, 41, 42 of 2009-10 (1 speech)
In accordance with the provisions of the Auditor-General Act 1997, I present the following reports of the Auditor-General. Report No. 39 of 2009-10: Medicare Australia’s administration of...
- Committees (0 speeches)
- Airports (on-Airport Activities Administration) Validation Bill 2010; Australian Wine and Brandy Corporation Amendment Bill 2009; Broadcasting Legislation Amendment (Digital Television) Bill 2010; Child Support and Family Assistance Legislation Amendment (Budget and Other Measures) Bill 2010; Defence Legislation Amendment Bill (No. 1) 2010; Family Assistance Legislation Amendment (Child Care Budget Measures) Bill 2010; Health Legislation Amendment (Australian Community Pharmacy Authority and Private Health Insurance) Bill 2010; International Arbitration Amendment Bill 2010; Interstate Road Transport Charge Amendment Bill 2010; Ministers of State Amendment Bill 2010; Personal Property Securities (Corporations and Other Amendments) Bill 2010; Social Security Amendment (Flexible Participation Requirements for Principal Carers) Bill 2010; Social Security and Indigenous Legislation Amendment (Budget and Other Measures) Bill 2010; Tax Laws Amendment (2010 GST Administration Measures No. 2) Bill 2010; Tax Laws Amendment (Medicare Levy and Medicare Levy Surcharge) Bill 2010; Tax Laws Amendment (Transfer of Provisions) Bill 2010; Veterans’ Affairs Legislation Amendment (2010 Budget Measures) Bill 2010; National Security Legislation Amendment Bill 2010; Parliamentary Joint Committee on Law Enforcement Bill 2010; Renewable Energy (Electricity) Amendment Bill 2010; Renewable Energy (Electricity) (Charge) Amendment Bill 2010; Renewable Energy (Electricity) (Small-Scale Technology Shortfall Charge) Bill 2010 (0 speeches)
- First Reading (1 speech)
Bills received from the House of Representatives.
- Second Reading (1 speech)
I table a revised explanatory memorandum relating to the International Arbitration Amendment Bill 2010 and move: That these bills be now read a second time. I seek leave to have the second...
- Governance of Australian Government Superannuation Schemes Bill 2010; Comsuper Bill 2010; Superannuation Legislation (Consequential Amendments and Transitional Provisions) Bill 2010 (0 speeches)
- First Reading (1 speech)
Bills received from the House of Representatives.
- Second Reading (1 speech)
I table revised explanatory memoranda relating to the bills and move: That these bills be now read a second time. I seek leave to have the second reading speeches incorporated in Hansard. Leave...
- Foreign Evidence Amendment Bill 2010 (0 speeches)
- Committees (0 speeches)
- Do Not Call Register Legislation Amendment Bill 2010; Higher Education Support Amendment (University College London) Bill 2010; Higher Education Support Amendment (University College London) Bill 2010; Health Practitioner Regulation (Consequential Amendments) Bill 2010; Australian Research Council Amendment Bill 2010; Anti-People Smuggling and Other Measures Bill 2010; Freedom of Information Amendment (Reform) Bill 2010; Australian Information Commissioner Bill 2010; Therapeutic Goods (Charges) Amendment Bill 2010; Therapeutic Goods Amendment (2009 Measures No. 3) Bill 2010; Foreign Evidence Amendment Bill 2010; Tax Laws Amendment (2010 Measures No. 1) Bill 2010 (0 speeches)
- Assent (0 speeches)
Messages from the Governor-General reported informing the Senate of assent to the bills.
- Business (0 speeches)
- Rearrangement (1 speech)
by leave—I move: That the time for the presentation of the final report of the Environment, Communications and the Arts Legislation Committee on the provisions of the Renewable Energy...
- Committees (0 speeches)
- Community Affairs Legislation Committee; Report (1 speech)
On behalf of the Chair of the Senate Community Affairs Legislation Committee, Senator Moore, I present the report of the committee on the provisions of the Child Support and Family Assistance...
- Education, Employment and Workplace Relations Legislation Committee; Report (1 speech)
On behalf of the Chair of the Senate Education, Employment and Workplace Relations Legislation Committee, Senator Marshall, I present the report of the committee on the provisions of the Family...
- Economics Legislation Committee; Report (1 speech)
On behalf of the Chair of the Senate Economics Legislation Committee, Senator Hurley, I present the report of the committee on the provisions of the Competition and Consumer Legislation Amendment...
- Legal and Constitutional Affairs Legislation Committee; Report (1 speech)
On behalf of the Chair of the Senate Legal and Constitutional Affairs Legislation Committee, Senator Crossin, I present the report of the committee on the provisions of the Crimes Amendment...
- Finance and Public Administration Legislation Committee; Report (1 speech)
On behalf of the Chair of the Senate Finance and Public Administration Legislation Committee, Senator Polley, I present the report of the committee on the provisions of the Electoral and...
- Community Affairs Legislation Committee; Report (1 speech)
On behalf of the Chair of the Senate Community Affairs Legislation Committee, Senator More, I present the report of the committee on the provisions of the Food Standards Australia New Zealand...
- Economics Legislation Committee; Report (1 speech)
On behalf of the Chair of the Senate Economics Legislation Committee, Senator Hurley, I present the report of the committee on the provisions of the Tax Laws Amendment (Research and Development)...
- Paid Parental Leave Bill 2010; Paid Parental Leave (Consequential Amendments) Bill 2010 (0 speeches)
- Committees (0 speeches)
- Documents (0 speeches)
- Consideration (0 speeches)
The government documents tabled today and general business orders of the day Nos 1 to 11 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
- Phillip Noel Eastwick (3 speeches, 3 comments)
I rise tonight to speak on the life and achievements of a great friend of mine, Philip Noel Eastick, who died at the Royal Adelaide Hospital on 11 February 2010. I think it was the American...
- Tasmania (1 speech)
I rise tonight to raise again my concerns about the severe and abject neglect that this federal Labor government has shown towards my home state of Tasmania, ranging from lack of new investment...
- Australian National Botanic Gardens (1 speech)
When the members of the first national parliament met in the elegantly refurbished Victorian parliament building over a century ago, in May 1901, they had the building of a new nation firmly in...
- Australian Sikh Games (1 speech)
On Good Friday this year it was my great honour and privilege to attend the 23rd Australian Sikh Games held at Tingalpa in eastern Brisbane—and I know that you, Madam Acting Deputy...
- Cancer Council Australia (1 speech)
Tonight I rise to speak about the wonderful organisation Cancer Council Australia and the important work it undertakes. Cancer Council Australia is the nation’s peak non-government cancer...
- Mr Murray Nicoll (1 speech)
I rise tonight to pay tribute to a very talented South Australian journalist, the late Murray Nicoll. I knew Murray for 14 years and recently had the honour of inducting him into the South...
- Mr Peter Curt Giesinger (1 speech)
A few weeks ago I had the honour of presenting certificates of service to volunteers at the National Museum of Australian Democracy at Old Parliament House. I spent a very enjoyable afternoon...
- Budget (1 speech)
I rise to speak tonight with a good news story that could perhaps become a bad news story about Australia’s small- and mid-cap miners, the industries that support them and the communities,...
- Middle East (1 speech)
Several weeks ago we were informed that Israel had allegedly outrageously intervened to stop a so-called peace flotilla, with commandos launching themselves at a peaceful armada seeking nothing...
- Budget (1 speech)
I am pleased to stand in the Senate in strong opposition to the Rudd Labor government’s mining tax. I specifically refer to some activities that will be occurring in Parliament House...
- Women Deliver Conference (1 speech)
I seek leave to speak for 20 minutes. Leave granted. Last week in Washington the second Women Deliver conference drew over 3,000 people from over 140 countries to come together to talk about one...
- Documents (0 speeches)
- Tabling (0 speeches)
The following government documents were tabled: Advisory panel on the marketing in Australia of infant formula—Report for 2008-09. Air Passenger Ticket Levy (Collection) Act 2001Report for...
- Departmental and Agency Appointments and Vacancies (0 speeches)
The following document was tabled pursuant to the order of the Senate of 24 June 2008, as amended: Departmental and agency appointments and vacancies—Budget estimates—Corrected...
