Senate debates

Thursday, 15 September 2011

• Bills (0 speeches)
  • National Broadband Network Financial Transparency Bill 2010 (No. 2); Second Reading (21 speeches)
    Isn't it nice when those on the opposite side recognise that we have done something. The National Broadband Network Financial Transparency Bill 2010 (No. 2) is a rehashed version of an old bill...
  • Carbon Tax Plebiscite Bill 2011 [No. 2]; Second Reading (4 speeches)
    I speak in opposition to the Carbon Tax Plebiscite Bill and I do so because the bill is nothing more than a political stunt, a waste of taxpayers' dollars and a refusal by the opposition to...
• Notices (0 speeches)
  • Withdrawal (1 speech)
    I withdraw notice of motion No. 335.
• Committees (0 speeches)
  • Selection of Bills Committee; Report (1 speech)
    I present the 12th report of 2011 of the Selection of Bills Committee. Ordered that the report be adopted. I seek leave to have the report incorporated in Hansard. Leave granted. The report read...
• Notices (0 speeches)
  • Withdrawal (1 speech)
    I withdraw government business notice of motion No. 1 relating to the variation of hours of, meeting and routine of business.
• Business (0 speeches)
  • Rearrangement (1 speech)
    I move: That government business be interrupted at 1 pm to allow consideration of the following government business orders of the day till not later than 2 pm today: No. 3 Education Services...
  • Senate Temporary Orders (1 speech)
    I move: That the following general business orders of the day be considered under the temporary order relating to the consideration of private senators' bills on Thursday, 22 September 2011:...
  • Leave of Absence (1 speech)
    by leave—I move: That leave of absence be granted to Senator Polley for today, for personal reasons. Question agreed to.
• Committees (0 speeches)
  • Clean Energy Future Legislation Committee; Meeting (1 speech)
    by leave—I move: That the Joint Select Committee on Australia’s Clean Energy Future Legislation be authorised to hold a private meeting otherwise than in accordance with standing...
  • Cyber-Safety Committee; Reporting Date (1 speech)
    At the request of the Chair of the Joint Select Committee on Cyber-Safety, I move: That paragraph (17) of the resolution of appointment of the Joint Select Committee on Cyber Safety be amended to...
  • Electoral Matters Committee; Meeting (1 speech)
    At the request of the Chair of the Joint Standing Committee on Electoral Matters, I move: That the Joint Standing Committee on Electoral Matters be authorised to hold a public meeting during the...
  • Community Affairs Legislation Committee; Reporting Date (1 speech)
    At the request of the Chair of the Community Affairs Legislation Committee, I move: That the time for the presentation of the report of the Community Affairs Legislation Committee on the...
  • Community Affairs References Committee; Meeting (1 speech)
    I move: That the Community Affairs References Committee be authorised to hold a public meeting during the sitting of the Senate on Thursday, 22 September 2011, from 4.30 pm, to take evidence for...
• Motions (0 speeches)
  • South Australian National Football League (1 speech)
    I, and also on behalf of Senators Wright, McEwen, Birmingham and Xenophon, move: That the Senate—   (a)   notes:...
  • Kurdish Society of Victoria (1 speech)
    I move: That the Senate—   (a)   acknowledges the positive contribution made to Australian society by the Kurdish community;...
  • Environment (1 speech)
    I move: That the Senate— (a) notes that: (i) the Japanese Government annually issues permits for the capture and killing of more than 20 000 dolphins and porpoises, and (ii) the hunting of...
• Statement by the President (0 speeches)
  • Parliamentary Language (2 speeches)
    This statement is with regard to remarks made by Senator Carr in question time on 13 September 2011. Yesterday in question time Senator Macdonald took a point of order about remarks made by...
• Committees (0 speeches)
  • Regulations and Ordinances Committee; Report (1 speech)
    At the request of the Chair of the Standing Committee on Regulations and Ordinances, I present a volume of correspondence relating to the scrutiny of delegated legislation for the period January...
  • Treaties Committee; Report (1 speech)
    I present the 119th report of the Joint Standing Committee on Treaties, Treaty tabled on 5 July 2011. I move: That the Senate take note of the report. Question agreed to. I seek leave to...
• Bills (0 speeches)
  • Defence Legislation Amendment Bill 2011, Protection of the Sea (Prevention of Pollution from Ships) Amendment (Oils in the Antarctic Area) Bill 2011; First Reading (1 speech)
    I indicate to the Senate that these bills are being introduced together. After debate on the motion for the second reading has been adjourned, I will be moving a motion to have the bills listed...
  • 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— The Defence...
• Committees (0 speeches)
  • Education, Employment and Workplace Relations Legislation Committee; Report (3 speeches)
    On behalf of the Education, Employment and Workplace Relations Legislation Committee, I present the report of the committee on the provisions of the Safety, Rehabilitation and Compensation...
• Bills (0 speeches)
  • National Health Reform Amendment (Independent Hospital Pricing Authority) Bill 2011; Report of Legislation Committee (1 speech)
    At the request of the Chair of the Finance and Public Administration Legislation Committee, Senator Polley, I present the report on the National Health Reform Amendment (Independent Hospital...
  • National Health Reform Amendment (National Health Performance Authority) Bill 2011; Second Reading (2 speeches)
    There are few things more important to a nation than the health of its people and it is no surprise that Australians consistently rate health care as one of the issues that remains most important...
  • Education Services for Overseas Students (Registration Charges) Amendment Bill 2011, Education Services for Overseas Students Amendment (Registration Charges Consequentials) Bill 2011; Second Reading (6 speeches)
    While the Education Services for Overseas Students (Registration Charges) Amendment Bill 2011 and the Education Services for Overseas Students Amendment (Registration Charges Consequentials) Bill...
  • Education Services for Overseas Students (Registration Charges) Amendment Bill 2011, Education Services for Overseas Students Amendment (Registration Charges Consequentials) Bill 2011; In Committee (5 speeches)
    I move amendment (1) on sheet 7145 standing in my name: (1)   Schedule 1, page 6 (after line 2), after item 11, insert:       11A Paragraph 29(1)(a)...
  • Education Services for Overseas Students (Registration Charges) Amendment Bill 2011, Education Services for Overseas Students Amendment (Registration Charges Consequentials) Bill 2011; Third Reading (1 speech)
    I move: That these bills be now read a third time. Question agreed to. Bills read a third time.
  • Horse Disease Response Levy Bill 2011, Horse Disease Response Levy Collection Bill 2011, Horse Disease Response Levy (Consequential Amendments) Bill 2011; Second Reading (3 speeches)
    The coalition is pleased to be supporting the Horse Disease Response Levy Bill 2011, the Horse Disease Response Levy Collection Bill 2011 and the Horse Disease Response Levy (Consequential...
  • Horse Disease Response Levy Bill 2011, Horse Disease Response Levy Collection Bill 2011, Horse Disease Response Levy (Consequential Amendments) Bill 2011; Third Reading (2 speeches)
    No amendments to the bill have been circulated. Before I call the minister to move the third reading, does any senator wish to have a committee stage on the bill to ask further questions or...
• Business (0 speeches)
  • Rearrangement (1 speech)
    I move: That intervening business be postponed till after consideration of government business order of the day no. 6 (Superannuation Legislation Amendment (Early Release of Superannuation) Bill...
• Bills (0 speeches)
  • Superannuation Legislation Amendment (Early Release of Superannuation) Bill 2011; Second Reading (2 speeches)
    The coalition supports the Superannuation Legislation Amendment (Early Release of Superannuation) Bill 2011. This bill deals with the administration of the early release of superannuation on...
  • Superannuation Legislation Amendment (Early Release of Superannuation) Bill 2011; Third Reading (2 speeches)
    No amendments to the bill have been circulated. Before I call the minister to move the third reading, does any senator wish to have a committee stage on the bill to ask further questions or...
  • Industrial Chemicals (Notification and Assessment) Amendment (Inventory) Bill 2011; Second Reading (2 speeches)
    My comments will be brief. I understand that the Industrial Chemicals (Notification and Assessment) Amendment (Inventory) Bill 2011 will decrease regulatory burden on business and industry. That...
  • Third Reading (2 speeches)
    No amendments to the bills have been circulated. Before I call the minister to move the third reading, does any senator wish to have a committee stage on the bills to ask further questions or...
  • National Health Reform Amendment (National Health Performance Authority) Bill 2011; Second Reading (1 speech)
    For the information of the chamber, there will be some amendments. There is a coalition amendment and there is a government amendment. The government will be supporting the coalition amendment...
• Questions without Notice (0 speeches)
  • Trade Unions (39 speeches)
    My question is addressed to the Minister for Tertiary Education, Skills, Jobs and Workplace Relations, Senator Evans. I refer the minister to the flood of allegations about financial...
  • Small Business (7 speeches)
    My question is to the Minister for Small Business, Senator Sherry. Can the minister outline to the Senate how the government's tax reform package will improve the cash flow of small businesses?...
  • Media Inquiry (15 speeches)
    Mr President, my question is to the Minister for Broadband, Communications and the Digital Economy, Senator Conroy. I refer to the minister's announcement yesterday of an inquiry into the media....
  • Parliament House: Energy Use (9 speeches)
    My question is to you, Mr President. I refer to the motion of the Senate three months ago that called on the parliament to join the Do Something! energy efficiency campaign, 'The 10% Challenge',...
  • Asylum Seekers (9 speeches)
    My question is to the Minister representing the Minister for Immigration and Citizenship, Senator Carr. I refer the minister to the Prime Minister's statement in the House of Representatives...
  • Climate Change (10 speeches)
    My question is to the Minister representing the Minister for Climate Change and Energy Efficiency, Senator Wong. Can the minister outline to the Senate the importance of formulating climate...
  • Asylum Seekers (21 speeches)
    My question is to the Minister representing the Minister for Immigration and Citizenship, Senator Carr. Is it not true that the Minister for Immigration and Citizenship advised caucus that four...
  • Blade Electric Vehicles (6 speeches)
    My question is to the Minister for Innovation, Industry, Science and Research, Senator Carr. Can the minister explain how GMH, a beneficiary of over $140 million from the government's Green Car...
  • Drought (7 speeches)
    My question is to the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry, Senator Ludwig. Can the minister advise the Senate on the modelling undertaken by his department with respect to the $9.6...
• Questions without Notice: Additional Answers (0 speeches)
  • Asylum Seekers (1 speech)
    On 12 September, Senator Hanson-Young asked me a question about asylum seekers. I seek leave to incorporate the answer in Hansard. Leave granted. The answer read as follows— Thursday 15...
  • Vocational Education and Training (1 speech)
    On 12 September, Senator Rhiannon asked me a question about vocational education and training. I seek leave to incorporate the answer in Hansard. Leave granted. The answer read as follows—...
• Questions without Notice: Take Note of Answers (0 speeches)
  • Asylum Seekers (43 speeches)
    I move: That the Senate take note of the answers given by the Minister for Innovation, Industry, Science and Research (Senator Carr) to questions without notice asked by Senators Brandis and Cash...
• Ministerial Statements (0 speeches)
  • Queensland Floods (1 speech)
    On behalf of the Attorney-General, Mr McClelland, I table the government’s response to the interim report of the Queensland Floods Commission of Inquiry and a ministerial statement relating...
• Committees (0 speeches)
  • Government Response to Report (1 speech)
    I present three government responses to committee reports as listed at item 15 on today’s Order of Business. In accordance with the usual practice, I seek leave to incorporate the documents...
• Auditor-General's Reports (0 speeches)
  • Report No. 6 of 2011-12 (1 speech)
    In accordance with the provisions of the Auditor-General Act 1997, I present the following report of the Auditor-General: Report No. 6 of 2011-12: Performance audit: Fair Work Education and...
• Motions (0 speeches)
  • Economy (34 speeches)
    I move, at the request of Senator Fifield, this motion standing in his name: That the Senate notes the Gillard Government's failure to implement a sound fiscal strategy. Both the Rudd and Gillard...
• Documents (0 speeches)
  • Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry (1 speech)
    I rise to comment on the statistics provided by the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry on livestock export mortalities by sea for the period 1 January to 30 June 2011. In so doing,...
• Committees (0 speeches)
  • Finance and Public Administration References Committee; Report (13 speeches)
    I move: That the Senate take note of the document. I rise to speak on the report of the Finance and Public Administration References Committee Government advertising and accountability and the...
  • Public Accounts and Audit Committee; Report (15 speeches)
    I move: That the Senate take note of the report. This is a Joint Committee of Public Accounts and Audit report on the role of the Auditor-General in scrutinising government advertising. If the...
  • Corporations and Financial Services Committee; Report (1 speech)
    I rise to take note of the report of the Parliamentary Joint Committee on Corporations and Financial Services on their oversight of ASIC. I had intended to speak when this report was tabled...
• Adjournment (0 speeches)
  • National Broadband Network (1 speech)
    At the end of June this year I was pleased to have the opportunity to attend community information sessions held by the National Broadband Network Co. at the Kingston Beach Yacht Club in Southern...
  • Carbon Pricing (1 speech)
    This week was an important week in the federal parliament. This was a week when the public reflected on the stark evidence that every Labor member and senator who was elected at the last...
  • Results Australia (1 speech)
    I had the privilege of delivering the keynote address at the Results Australia National Conference fundraising dinner in Hobart a few weeks ago. I am told that the conference fundraising part of...
  • Community Services (1 speech)
    I rise tonight to put on the parliamentary record a potential disaster facing a vast number of community service organisations in Queensland. This is a pay bungle disaster created by the Gillard...
• Questions on Notice (0 speeches)
  • Vacant Commercial Space (Question No. 716) (2 speeches)
    asked the Minister representing the Minister for Sustainability, Environment, Water, Population and Communities, upon notice, on 29 June 2011: With reference to the answer to question on notice...
  • National Rental Affordability Scheme (Question No. 718) (Question No. 721) (4 speeches)
    asked the Minister representing the Minister for Sustainability, Environment, Water, Population and Communities, in writing, on 29 June 2011: In regard to student housing and the National Rental...
  • Sustainability, Environment, Water, Population and Communities (Question No. 926) (Question No. 1023) (4 speeches)
    asked the Minister representing the Minister for Sustainability, Environment, Water, Population and Communities, upon notice, on 17 August 2011: Can a list be provided of the legislation that the...
  • Prime Minister and Cabinet: Accommodation (Question No. 1032) (2 speeches)
    asked the Minister representing the Prime Minister, upon notice, on 29 August 2011: Has the department paid for accommodation, venue hire and catering services from the Four Points by Sheraton...