Senate debates

Wednesday, 21 September 2011

• Bills (0 speeches)
  • Coal Mining Industry (Long Service Leave) Legislation Amendment Bill 2011, Social Security Legislation Amendment (Family Participation Measures) Bill 2011 (1 speech)
    Bills received from the House of Representatives
  • First Reading (1 speech)
    Bills received from the House of Representatives
  • Second Reading (1 speech)
    I present the explanatory memoranda and 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...
• Business (0 speeches)
  • Consideration of Legislation (1 speech)
    I move: That the provisions of paragraphs (5) to (8) of standing order 111 not apply to the following bills, allowing them to be considered during this period of sittings: Defence Legislation...
  • Days and Hours of Meeting (67 speeches)
    I move: That— (1)   Divisions may take place on:   (a)   Thursday, 13 October 2011, after 4.30 pm; and   (b)   Monday, 21...
• Bills (0 speeches)
  • Higher Education Legislation Amendment (Student Services and Amenities) Bill 2010; In Committee (22 speeches)
    Debate resumed.
• Matters of Public Interest (0 speeches)
  • Australian Labor Party (1 speech)
    I rise today to draw attention to some of the recent remarks of the Prime Minister, especially the EMILY's List Oration and 15thbirthday that we marked last week. The address that the Prime...
  • Housing Affordability (1 speech)
    My comments will dovetail quite neatly with those of Senator Singh, because the issues that I would like to speak of go very strongly to issues of equality as well—not just income or gender...
  • Economy (14 speeches)
    Support for the Gillard Labor government is unquestionably at an all-time low, with a dramatic slump in their primary support. We see that every week when we open the papers and see the latest...
  • Australian Defence Force (1 speech)
    It was with immense pride a few weeks ago that I helped to welcome our troops back to Australia and also took part with our community in the opening of a new memorial to our veterans in the heart...
  • Corporate Regulation (3 speeches, 1 comment)
    I rise today to talk on a most important issue that faces our nation, and that is the issue of people being ripped off by people laundering money, taking people's life savings and leaving them...
  • Micah: Water, Sanitation and Hygiene Program (1 speech)
    Mr Acting Deputy President, in the short time available I wanted to make some comments about the recent visit to this place by the Micah team. Micah, as you know, come here regularly to remind...
• Questions without Notice (0 speeches)
  • Carbon Pricing (30 speeches)
    My question is to the Minister representing the Treasurer and the Minister representing the Minister for Climate Change and Energy Efficiency, Senator Wong. Does the minister accept that it was...
  • Economy (14 speeches)
    My question is to the Minister for Finance and Deregulation, Senator Wong. Can the minister update the Senate on the outlook for the global economy? In particular, how does the outlook for the...
  • Carbon Pricing (10 speeches)
    My question is to the Minister representing the Minister for Climate Change and Energy Efficiency, Senator Wong. Given the revelations today that even the new headquarters for the Department of...
  • Environment (9 speeches)
    (South Australia) (): My question is to the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry, Senator Ludwig. My question is about dolphin and sea lion deaths in Commonwealth waters off South...
  • Asylum Seekers (15 speeches)
    My question is to the Minister representing the Minister for Immigration and Citizenship, Senator Carr. I refer the minister yet again to the statement by the Prime Minister on 8 July 2010 when...
  • Economy (13 speeches)
    Having survived the death stare unscathed, I have a question for the Minister for Small Business, Senator Sherry. In light of the IMF's latest World economic outlook and its stark warnings, can...
  • Carbon Pricing (23 speeches)
    My question is to the Minister representing the Minister for Climate Change and Energy Efficiency, Senator Wong. I refer the minister to the detailed unemployment data released by the Australian...
  • Disability Enterprises (7 speeches)
    My question is to the Minister representing the Minister for Families, Housing, Community Services and Indigenous Affairs, Senator Arbib. Last week the Federal Court ruled that the Business...
• Questions without Notice: Take Note of Answers (0 speeches)
  • Asylum Seekers (13 speeches)
    I move: That the Senate take note of the answer given by the Minister for Innovation, Industry, Science and Research (Senator Carr) to a question without notice asked by Senator Cash today...
  • Environment (1 speech)
    I move: That the Senate take note of the answer given by the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries (Senator Ludwig) to a question without notice asked by me today relating to dolphin and sea lion...
• Notices (0 speeches)
  • Presentation (0 speeches)
    Senator Siewert to move on the next day of sitting: That the Senate—   (a)   notes that:      (i)   a group of experts from...
• Committees (0 speeches)
  • Environment and Communications References Committee; Reporting Date (1 speech)
    by leave—I move: That the time for the presentation of the final report of the Environment and Communications References Committee on the status, health and sustainability of the koala...
  • Finance and Public Administration Legislation Committee (1 speech)
    by leave—I move: That the Finance and Public Administration Legislation Committee be authorised to hold a private meeting otherwise than in accordance with standing order 33(1) during the...
  • Meeting (1 speech)
    by leave—I move: That the Finance and Public Administration Legislation Committee be authorised to hold a private meeting otherwise than in accordance with standing order 33(1) during the...
• Business (0 speeches)
  • Leave of Absence (2 speeches)
    by leave—I move: That leave of absence be granted to Senator Boswell on 21 September 2011 for personal reasons. Question agreed to.
• Notices (0 speeches)
  • Postponement (0 speeches)
    The following items of business were postponed: Government business notice of motion no. 1 standing in the name of the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry (Senator Ludwig) for 22...
• Motions (0 speeches)
  • Microfinance: Aid for Women (1 speech)
    At the request of Senator Moore, I move: That the Senate—   (a)   notes:      (i)   the participation and status of women in...
• Committees (0 speeches)
  • Community Affairs References Committee; Meeting (1 speech)
    I move: That the Community Affairs References Committee be authorised to hold a private meeting otherwise than in accordance with standing order 33(1) during the sitting of the Senate on...
  • Rural Affairs and Transport References Committee; Meeting (1 speech)
    At the request of Senator Heffernan, I move: That the Rural Affairs and Transport References Committee be authorised to meet during the sitting of the Senate on Wednesday, 21 September 2011, from...
  • Electoral Matters Committee; Reporting Date (1 speech)
    At the request of Senator Carol Brown, I move: That the time for the presentation of the report of the Joint Standing Committee on Electoral Matters on the funding of political parties and...
  • Finance and Public Administration Legislation Committee; Reporting Date (1 speech)
    I seek leave to amend general business notice of motion 440 before seeking leave to have the motion taken as a formal motion. Leave granted. I amend the notice of motion by omitting '12 October...
• Motions (0 speeches)
  • Asylum Seekers (36 speeches)
    I ask that general business notice of motion 444 standing in my name for today relating to the proposed legislation relating to asylum seekers be taken as a formal motion.
  • International Day of Peace (6 speeches)
    I move: That the Senate—   (a)   notes:      (i)   that on 7 September 2001, the United Nations (UN) General Assembly passed...
• Matters of Public Importance (0 speeches)
  • Nuclear Energy (33 speeches)
    I inform the Senate that, at 8.30 am today, Senator Fifield and Senator Siewert each submitted a letter in accordance with standing order 75 proposing a matter of public importance for...
• Committees (0 speeches)
  • Scrutiny of Bills Committee; Report (6 speeches)
    I present the 11th report of 2011 of the Senate Standing Committee for the Scrutiny of Bills. I also lay on the table Scrutiny of Bills Alert Digest No. 11 of 2011, dated 21 September 2011....
• Ministerial Statements (0 speeches)
  • Second Anniversary of Pension Reforms (2 speeches)
    On behalf of the Minister for Families, Housing, Community Services and Indigenous Affairs, Ms Macklin, I table a ministerial statement on the second anniversary of pension reforms.
• Documents (0 speeches)
  • Tabling (0 speeches)
    The Clerk: Documents are tabled in accordance with the list circulated to senators. Details of the documents appear at the end of today’s Hansard.
• Committees (0 speeches)
  • Regulations and Ordinances Committee; Membership (1 speech)
    by leave—I move That Senator Urquhart be discharged from and Senator Marshall be appointed to the Standing Committee on Regulations and Ordinances.
• Bills (0 speeches)
  • Extradition and Mutual Assistance in Criminal Matters Legislation Amendment Bill 2011, Parliamentary Service Amendment (Parliamentary Budget Officer) Bill 2011 (1 speech)
    Bills received from the House of Representatives.
• Regulations and Determinations (0 speeches)
  • Disallowance (4 speeches)
    I move: That the Migration Amendment Regulations 2011 (No. 4), as contained in Select Legislative Instrument 2011 No. 122 and made under the Migration Act 1958, be disallowed. [F2011L01376] On 23...
• Bills (0 speeches)
  • Bankruptcy Amendment (Exceptional Circumstances Exit Package) Bill 2011; Report of Legislation Committee (1 speech)
    I present the report of the Economics Legislation Committee on the Bankruptcy Amendment (Exceptional Circumstances Exit Package) Bill 2011, together with the Hansard record of proceedings and...
  • Government Advertising (Accountability) Bill 2011; Report of Legislation Committee (1 speech)
    I present the report of the Finance and Public Administration Legislation Committee on the Government Advertising (Accountability) Bill 2011, together with the Hansard record of proceedings and...
  • Patent Amendment (Human Genes and Biological Materials) Bill 2010; Report of Legislation Committee (6 speeches)
    I present the report of the Legal and Constitutional Affairs Legislation Committee on the Patent Amendment (Human Genes and Biological Materials) Bill 2010, together with the Hansard records of...
  • Higher Education Legislation Amendment (Student Services and Amenities) Bill 2010; In Committee (2 speeches)
    Debate resumed.
• Documents (0 speeches)
  • Consideration (0 speeches)
    The government documents tabled earlier today were called on but no motion was moved.
• Adjournment (0 speeches)
  • Same-Sex Relationships (1 speech)
    Madam Acting Deputy President: At times I cry thinking about it, knowing that thousands of young Australians are growing up knowing that we are so different and that there are laws written...
  • Indigenous Suicide (1 speech)
    During this adjournment debate tonight I would like to talk about an issue that has been dividing Queensland's north-west. I recently visited Queensland's north-west, one of this country's most...
  • Great Barrier Reef (1 speech)
    I wish to speak about matters related to the Great Barrier Reef, which is a beautiful part of my town in Queensland. I would urge everyone to go and visit, because it is lovely, but unfortunately...
  • Defence (1 speech)
    When I assumed my current position as Parliamentary Secretary for Defence, one of the things I was looking forward to was the opportunity to debate defence issues with the shadow defence...
• Documents (0 speeches)
  • Indexed Lists of Departmental and Agency Files (0 speeches)
    The following documents were 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 January to 30 June...
  • Tabling (0 speeches)
    The following documents were tabled by the Clerk: [Legislative instruments are identified by a Federal Register of Legislative Instruments (FRLI) number. An explanatory statement is tabled with...
• Questions on Notice (0 speeches)
  • Defence: Staffing (Question No. 784) (2 speeches)
    asked the Minister representing the Minister for Defence, upon notice, on 5 July 2011: For the period 1 January to 30 June 2011: (a) what savings have been made in reducing the cost of combat...
  • Defence: Staffing (Question No. 791) (2 speeches)
    ask the Minister representing the Minister for Defence, upon notice, on 5 July 2011: For the period 1 January to 30 June 2011: (1) (a) How many training days have been allocated to Reserves in...
  • Commonwealth Airports: Lease Agreements (Question No. 961) (2 speeches)
    asked the Minister representing the Minister for Infrastructure and Transport, upon notice, on 18 August 2011: (1) Have the lessors of Commonwealth airports, in particular the capital city...
  • Office of the Auditing and Assurance Standards Board (Question No. 991 amended) (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...
  • Department of Parliamentary Services: Architectural Services (Question No. 1029) (2 speeches)
    asked the President, upon notice, on 28 August 2011: Has the Department of Parliamentary Services contracted the provision of architectural services in 2011; if so: (a)   what is...