Senate debates

Monday, 12 September 2011

• Statement by the President (0 speeches)
  • McLucas, Senator the Hon. Jan (1 speech)
    Senators may be aware that Senator McLucas has not been well and is unable to stand for any length of time. With the concurrence of the Senate I propose that Senator McLucas be permitted to speak...
• Bills (0 speeches)
  • Veterans' Entitlements Amendment Bill 2011; Second Reading (17 speeches)
    I rise to speak on the Veterans' Entitlements Amendment Bill 2011 and flag that I will be moving an amendment during the Committee of the Whole to omit schedule 2 from the bill. This bill seeks...
  • Veterans' Entitlements Amendment Bill 2011; In Committee (101 speeches)
    The opposition opposes schedule 2 in the following terms: (2)   Schedule 2, page 10 (line 1) to page 15 (line 16), TO BE OPPOSED. I want to talk about a number of matters today. I...
• Ministerial Arrangements (0 speeches)
  • (1 speech)
    I table for the information of the Senate a revised ministry list. The list has been updated to reflect the appointment of the Hon. Mark Butler MP as Minister Assisting the Prime Minister on...
• Questions without Notice (0 speeches)
  • Future Fund (12 speeches)
    My question is to the Minister for Finance and Deregulation, Senator Wong. Given that finance department secretary, David Tune, confirmed that government revenue in 2012-13 includes revenue from...
  • Asylum Seekers (11 speeches)
    My question is to the Minister representing the Prime Minister, Senator Evans. Will the government ensure that the letter and spirit of the refugee convention and of the Convention on the Rights...
  • Employment (6 speeches)
    My question is the Minister for Tertiary Education, Skills, Jobs and Workplace Relations, Senator Evans. Can the minister outline to the Senate what has happened to Australian jobs in recent...
  • Future Fund (17 speeches)
    My question is to the Minister for Finance and Deregulation, Senator Wong. I refer the minister to the answer given by Mr David Tune, Secretary of the Department of Finance and Deregulation, that...
  • Vocational Education and Training (10 speeches)
    I direct my question to the Minister for Tertiary Education, Skills, Jobs and Workplace Relations, Senator Evans. Can you provide the house with details on the vocational education and training...
  • Economy (8 speeches)
    My question is to the Minister representing the Treasurer, Senator Wong. Can the minister inform the Senate on the latest national accounts and what they say about the strength of our economy?
  • Future Fund (20 speeches)
    My question is to the Minister for Finance and Deregulation, Senator Wong. Given that the current government has never made a contribution to the Future Fund, when does the government anticipate...
  • Indigenous Employment (19 speeches)
    My question is to the Minister for Indigenous Employment and Economic Development, Senator Arbib. Can the minister please update the Senate on how the government is working towards closing the...
  • Asylum Seekers (22 speeches)
    My question is to the minister representing the Minister for Immigration and Citizenship, Senator Carr. Given that the current Prime Minister used to say that every boat arrival constitutes...
• Questions without Notice: Additional Answers (0 speeches)
  • Apple Imports (1 speech)
    On 25 August, Senator Xenophon asked me questions about apple imports from New Zealand. I seek leave to incorporate the answers in Hansard. Leave granted. The answer read as follows QUESTION...
  • Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act (1 speech)
    On 25 August, Senator Waters asked me a question about the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act. I seek leave to incorporate the answer in Hansard. Leave granted. The answer...
• Questions without Notice: Take Note of Answers (0 speeches)
  • Future Fund (8 speeches)
    I move: That the Senate take note of the answers given by the Minister for Finance and Dregulation (Senator Wong) to questions without notice asked by Senator Cormann, the Leader of the Nationals...
• Notices (0 speeches)
  • Withdrawal (1 speech)
    Pursuant to notice given at the last day of sitting on behalf of the Regulations and Ordinances Committee, I now withdraw business of the Senate notice of motion No. 1 standing in my name for...
• Business (0 speeches)
  • Leave of Absence (1 speech)
    by leave—I move: That leave of absence be granted to the following senators: (a) Senator Adams from 12 September to 16 September 2011, for personal reasons; (b) Senator Fisher for 12...
  • Consideration of Legislation (1 speech)
    At the request of Senator Ludwig, I move: That the following list of general business orders of the day be considered under the temporary order relating to the consideration of private...
• Committees (0 speeches)
  • Scrutiny of New Taxes Committee; Meeting (1 speech)
    by leave—At the request of Senator Cormann, I move: That the Select Committee on the Scrutiny of New Taxes be authorised to hold a private meeting otherwise than in accordance with standing...
• Motions (0 speeches)
  • Suicide Prevention (1 speech)
    I seek leave to amend general business notice of motion No. 382 standing in my name. Leave granted. I, and also on behalf of Senators Moore and Humphries, move the motion as amended: That the...
• Committees (0 speeches)
  • Privileges Committee, Senators' Interests Committee (1 speech)
    I move: That the Committee of Privileges and the Committee of Senators' Interests may confer on the latter committee's reference into a draft code of conduct for senators. Question agreed to.
• Matters of Public Importance (0 speeches)
  • Asylum Seekers (21 speeches)
    The President has received a letter from Senator Fifield proposing that a definite matter of public importance be submitted to the Senate for discussion, namely:   The Gillard...
• Committees (0 speeches)
  • Government Response to Report (1 speech)
    by leave—I move:
  • Education, Employment and Workplace Relations Legislation Committee (1 speech)
    I move: That the report of the Education, Employment and Workplace Relations Legislation Committee be printed. Question agreed to.
  • Gambling Reform Committee (1 speech)
    by leave—I move: That the recommendation contained in each of the reports of the Joint Select Committee on Gambling Reform, proposing that the inquiries not be proceeded with and be...
  • National Broadband Network - Select Committee; Report (2 speeches)
    by leave—I move: That the Senate take note of the report. This is a very important part of the process of scrutiny and accountability for the National Broadband Network. Senators will...
• Documents (0 speeches)
  • Tabling (1 speech)
    I present correspondence between the President of the Senate and the Minister for Finance and Deregulation, Senator Wong, relating to ordinary annual services of the government dated 26 August 2011.
  • Israel (26 speeches)
    I seek leave to move a motion in relation to the response from the ACCC. Leave granted. I move: That the Senate take note of the document. The response of the chairman of the ACCC to the Senate...
  • Forestry (6 speeches)
    I seek Senator Abetz's agreement and fairness here. We have nine minutes, and I suggest that he take half and I take half in dealing with this matter.
• Committees (0 speeches)
  • Corporations and Financial Services Committee; Report (1 speech)
    On behalf of the Chair of the Parliamentary Joint Committee on Corporations and Financial Services, Senator Boyce, I present the report on the statutory oversight of the Australian Securities and...
• Documents (0 speeches)
  • Tabling (9 speeches)
    Is the government document referred to just then the one that is listed on page 5 of today's red relating to the delay in the presentation of the report on the Australian Livestock Export...
• Bills (0 speeches)
  • National Residue Survey (Excise) Levy Amendment (Deer) Bill 2011; First Reading (1 speech)
    I move: That this bill may proceed without formalities and be now read a first time. Question agreed to. Bill read a first time.
  • National Residue Survey (Excise) Levy Amendment (Deer) Bill 2011; Second Reading (1 speech)
    I move:   That this bill be now read a second time. I seek leave to have the second reading speech incorporated in Hansard. Leave granted. The speech read as follows— National...
  • Superannuation Legislation Amendment (Early Release of Superannuation) Bill 2011; First Reading (1 speech)
    I move: That this bill may proceed without formalities and be now read a first time. Question agreed to. Bill read a first time.
  • Superannuation Legislation Amendment (Early Release of Superannuation) Bill 2011; Second Reading (1 speech)
    I move:   That this bill be now read a second time. I seek leave to have the second reading speech incorporated in Hansard. Leave granted. The speech read as follows—...
  • Veterans' Entitlements Amendment Bill 2011; In Committee (72 speeches)
    17): The question is that schedule 2 stand as printed.
  • Veterans' Entitlements Amendment Bill 2011; Third Reading (1 speech)
    I move: That this bill be now read a third time. Question agreed to. Bill read a third time.
  • Higher Education Support Amendment (Demand Driven Funding System and Other Measures) Bill 2011; Second Reading (6 speeches)
    As we all know, the business of the 21st century is knowledge. To better compete and to more effectively contribute to Australia's well-being, universities, which are our knowledge factories,...
• Adjournment (0 speeches)
  • Climate Change (3 speeches)
    Tonight I wish to speak on an issue that is posing a threat to our country's surf lifesaving clubs—in particular, the 128 surf lifesaving clubs that are located within my home state of New...
  • South Australia: Catholic Church (1 speech)
    I rise this evening to discuss the appointment of Monsignor David Cappo to the position of chair of the federal government's new Mental Health Com­mission. I note that Monsignor Cappo has...
• Questions on Notice (0 speeches)
  • Regional Australia, Regional Development and Local Government: Stationery (Question Nos 230 and 231) (2 speeches)
    asked the Minister representing the Minister for Regional Australia, Regional Development and Local Government and Minister for the Arts, upon notice, on 29 November 2010: Since 14 September...
  • Foreign Affairs and Trade: Stationery (Question Nos 232 and 246) (2 speeches)
    asked the Minister representing the Minister for Foreign Affairs and the Minister representing the Minister for Trade, upon notice, on 29 November 2010: Since 14 September 2010, for each Minister...
  • Defence: Stationery (Question No. 260) (2 speeches)
    asked the Minister representing the Minister for Defence, the Minister for Defence Science and Personnel, and the Minister for Defence Materiel, upon notice, on 29 November 2010: Since 14...
  • Defence: Stationery (Question No. 267) (2 speeches)
    asked the Minister representing the Minister for Defence, the Minister for Defence Science and Personnel, and the Minister for Defence Materiel, upon notice, on 29 November 2010: Since 14...
  • Regional Australia, Regional Development and Local Government (Question Nos 272 and 273) (2 speeches)
    asked the Minister representing the Minister for Regional Australia, Regional Development and Local Government and Minister for the Arts, upon notice, on 29 November 2010: Since 14 September...
  • Foreign Affairs and Trade (Question Nos 274 and 288) (2 speeches)
    asked the Minister representing the Minister for Foreign Affairs and the Minister representing the Minister for Trade, upon notice, on 29 November 2010: Since 14 September 2010, for each Minister...
  • Burma (Question No. 338) (2 speeches)
    asked the Minister representing the Minister for Foreign Affairs, upon notice, on 6 December 2010: With reference to the role of the Australian Safeguards and Non-Proliferation Office (ASNO) and...
  • Burma (Question No. 364) (2 speeches)
    asked the Minister representing the Minister for Foreign Affairs, upon notice, on 17 December 2010: With reference to the monitoring of Burma's alleged nuclear program and the role of the...
  • Broadband, Communications and the Digital Economy (Question No. 444) (2 speeches)
    asked the Minister for Broadband, Communications and the Digital Economy, upon notice, on 16 March 2011: With reference to digital television access in remote communities: (1) Can the Minister...
  • Defence: Program Funding (Question No. 506) (2 speeches)
    asked the Minister representing the Minister for Defence, upon notice, on 21 March 2011: (1) With reference to the Government commissioned report, 2008 Audit of the Defence Budget which...
  • Defence: Hospitality (Question No. 522) (2 speeches)
    asked the Minister representing the Minister for Defence, upon notice, on 21 March 2011: With reference to the answer provided to Questions on Notice No's. 117-119: (1) Who attended the Majestic...
  • Defence: Hospitality (Question No. 530) (2 speeches)
    asked the Minister representing the Minister for Defence, upon notice, on 21 March 2011: With reference to the answer provided to Question on Notice No's. 117-119: (1) How many attended the 34...
  • Civil Aviation Safety Authority (Question No. 839) (2 speeches)
    asked the Minister representing the Minister for Infrastructure and Transport, upon notice, on 20 July 2011: In regard to a recent Lateline program on aeroplane construction (namely Boeing) and...
  • Broadband, Communications and the Digital Economy (Question No. 843) (2 speeches)
    asked the Minister for Broadband, Communications and the Digital Economy, upon notice, on 21 July 2011: (1) What studies have been undertaken into the existing use of wireless audio devices in...
  • Special Minister of State: Staffing (Question No. 846) (2 speeches)
    asked the Minister representing the Special Minister of State, upon notice, on 25 July 2011: (1) Has the Caucus Communications Team or anyone in the Caucus Communications Team offered any...
  • Illegal Imports (Question No. 893) (2 speeches)
    asked the Minister representing the Minister for Foreign Affairs, upon notice, on 25 July 2011: (1)   In regard to the illegal importation of dog and cat fur products, over the...
  • Immigration Detention Centres (Question No. 894) (2 speeches)
    asked the Minister representing the Minister for Immigration and Citizenship, upon notice, on 25 July 2011: In regards to Pontville Detention Centre: (1) On what basis is the new accommodation at...
  • Tertiary Education, Skills, Jobs and Workplace Relations and School Education, Early Childhood and Youth: Funding (Question Nos 902 and 903) (2 speeches)
    asked the Minister for Tertiary Education, Skills, Jobs and Workplace Relations and Minister representing the Minister for School Education, Early Childhood and Youth, upon notice, on 1 August...
  • Council of Australian Governments: Counter-Terrorism (Question No. 911) (2 speeches)
    asked the Minister representing the Prime Minister, upon notice, on 16 August 2011: In regard to the Council of Australian Governments' review of counter-terrorism legislation agreed to on 10...
  • Australian Office of Financial Management (Question No. 984) (2 speeches)
    asked the Minister representing the Treasurer, upon notice, on 18 August 2011: (1) What was the total expenditure of the Australian Office of Financial Management for the 2010-11 financial year...
  • Australian Prudential Authority (Question No. 985) (2 speeches)
    asked the Minister representing the Treasurer, upon notice, on 18 August 2011: (1) What was the total expenditure of the Australian Prudential Authority for the 2010-11 financial year in relation...
  • Commonwealth Grants Commission (Question No. 988) (2 speeches)
    asked the Minister representing the Treasurer, upon notice, on 18 August 2011: (1) What was the total expenditure of the Commonwealth Grants Commission for the 2010-11 financial year in relation...
  • Corporations and Markets Advisory Committee (Question No. 989) (2 speeches)
    asked the Minister representing the Treasurer, upon notice, on 18 August 2011: (1) What was the total expenditure of the Corporations and Markets Advisory Committee (CAMAC) for the 2010-11...
  • National Competition Council (Question No. 990) (2 speeches)
    asked the Minister representing the Treasurer, upon notice, on 18 August 2011: (1) What was the total expenditure of the National Competition Council for the 2010-11 financial year in relation...
  • Office of the Auditing and Assurance Standards Board (Question No. 991) (2 speeches)
    asked the Minister representing the Treasurer, upon notice, on 18 August 2011: (1) What was the total expenditure of the Office of the Auditing and Assurance Standards Board for the 2010-11...
  • Office of the Australian Accounting Standards Board (Question No. 992) (2 speeches)
    asked the Minister representing the Treasurer, upon notice, on 18 August 2011: (1) What was the total expenditure of the Office of the Australian Accounting Standards Board for the 2010-11...
  • Royal Australian Mint (Question No. 994) (2 speeches)
    asked the Minister representing the Treasurer, upon notice, on 18 August 2011: (1) What was the total expenditure of the Royal Australian Mint for the 2010-11 financial year in relation to: (a)...
  • Australian Bureau of Statistics: Accommodation (Question No. 997) (2 speeches)
    asked the Minister representing the Treasurer, upon notice, on 18 August 2011: With reference to the Australian Bureau of Statistics: (1) What is the actual location, including the full street...
  • Australian Office of Financial Management: Accommodation (Question No. 998) (2 speeches)
    asked the Minister representing the Treasurer, upon notice, on 18 August 2011: With reference to the Australian Office of Financial Management: (1) What is the actual location, including the full...
  • Productivity Commission: Accommodation (Question No. 999) (2 speeches)
    asked the Minister representing the Treasurer, upon notice, on 18 August 2011: With reference to the Productivity Commission: (1) What is the actual location, including the full street address,...
  • Royal Australian Mint: Accommodation (Question No. 1000) (2 speeches)
    asked the Minister representing the Treasurer, upon notice, on 18 August 2011: With reference to the Royal Australian Mint: (1) What is the actual location, including the full street address, of...
  • Australian Accounting Standards Board (Question No. 1002) (2 speeches)
    asked the Minister representing the Treasurer, upon notice, on 18 August 2011: With reference to the Australian Accounting Standards Board: (1) What is the actual location, including the full...
  • National Competition Council: Accommodation (Question No. 1003) (2 speeches)
    asked the Minister representing the Treasurer, upon notice, on 18 August 2011: With reference to the National Competition Council: (1) What is the actual location, including the full street...
  • Auditing and Assurance Standards Board (Question No. 1004) (2 speeches)
    asked the Minister representing the Treasurer, upon notice, on 18 August 2011: With reference to the Auditing and Assurance Standards Board: (1) What is the actual location, including the full...
  • Corporations and Markets Advisory Committee: Accommodation (Question No. 1005) (2 speeches)
    asked the Minister representing the Treasurer, upon notice, on 18 August 2011: With reference to the Corporations and Markets Advisory Committee: (1) What is the actual location, including the...
  • Commonwealth Grants Commission: Accommodation (Question No. 1006) (2 speeches)
    asked the Minister representing the Treasurer, upon notice, on 18 August 2011: With reference to the Commonwealth Grants Commission: (1) What is the actual location, including the full street...
  • Australian Prudential Regulation Authority: Accommodation (Question No. 1009) (2 speeches)
    asked the Minister representing the Treasurer, upon notice, on 18 August 2011: With reference to the Australian Prudential Regulation Authority: (1) What is the actual location, including the...
  • Australian Competition and Consumer Commission: Accommodation (Question No. 1010) (2 speeches)
    asked the Minister representing the Treasurer, upon notice, on 18 August 2011: With reference to the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission: (1) What is the actual location, including the...
  • Tertiary Education, Skills, Jobs and Workplace Relations (Question No. 1019) (2 speeches)
    asked the Minister for Tertiary Education, Skills, Jobs and Workplace Relations, upon notice, on 22 August 2011: In regard to the answer to question on notice no. EW0077-12 taken on notice during...
  • Fair Work Australia (Question No. 1024) (2 speeches)
    asked the Minister for Tertiary Education, Skills, Jobs and Workplace Relations, upon notice, on 24 August 2011: With reference to Fair Work Australia: (1) What has been the total cost of...
  • Australian Office of Financial Management: Advertising (Question No. 1036) (2 speeches)
    asked the Minister representing the Treasurer, upon notice, on 29 August 2011: Has the Australian Office of Financial Management contracted for any ‘campaign advertising’ in the...