Senate debates

Wednesday, 2 November 2011

• Budget (0 speeches)
  • Consideration by Estimates Committees (1 speech)
    I move: (1)   That estimates hearings by legislation committees for 2012 be scheduled as follows: 2011-12 additional estimates: Monday, 13 February and Tuesday, 14 February (Group...
• Committees (0 speeches)
  • Legal and Constitutional Affairs References Committee; Membership (74 speeches)
    On behalf of Senator Arbib, I move: That, pursuant to standing order 25(9), the Senate determines:   (a)   that the chair of the Legal and Constitutional Affairs...
• Matters of Public Interest (0 speeches)
  • Tasmania: Juvenile Justice System (4 speeches)
    Order! It being after 12:45 we move to matters of public interest.
  • Breast Cancer Network Australia (1 speech)
    It gives me great pleasure to have the opportunity to speak about the work of the Breast Cancer Network Australia and the retiring chief executive officer, Lyn Swinburne AM. On 25 October I was...
  • Borderline Personality Disorder, Siblings Australia (1 speech)
    Several weeks ago, on 5 October, I attended a special lunch in Adelaide to commemorate the first national Borderline Personality Awareness Day in Australia. In an era when many conditions and...
  • Workplace Relations (1 speech)
    I rise to speak on a matter of public interest, and that is the issue of productivity and industrial relations. I want to indicate that I think we are witnessing a very worrying development, and...
  • Cults in Australia: Facing the Realities Conference (2 speeches)
    I bring to the Senate's attention an important conference that is happening here today on the topic of cults. The conference is called Facing the Realities in Australia. It has been organised by...
• Questions without Notice (0 speeches)
  • Asylum Seekers (13 speeches)
    My question is to the Minister representing the Minister for Immigration and Citizenship. Why did the Gillard Labor government abandon the Howard government's Pacific solution?
  • Mining (11 speeches)
    My question is to the Minister representing the Prime Minister, Senator Evans. Can the minister outline to the Senate the importance of ensuring the benefits of the mining boom flow to all...
  • Asylum Seekers (26 speeches)
    My question is to Senator Carr, the Minister representing the Minister for Immigration and Citizenship. Will the minister confirm how much the Gillard Labor government will spend on dealing with...
  • Schools: Music Teaching (12 speeches)
    My question goes to Senator Evans, representing the Minister for School Education, Early Childhood and Youth. Does the government agree with the Music Director of Victorian Opera, Richard Gill,...
  • Carbon Pricing (14 speeches)
    My question is to the Minister representing the Minister for Climate Change and Energy Efficiency, Senator Wong. I refer to evidence given in the Senate last week by Ms Meghan Quinn, General...
• Distinguished Visitors (0 speeches)
  • (1 speech)
    Order! I draw to the attention of honourable senators the presence in the gallery of a parliamentary delegation from Laos, led by Dr Xaysomphone, Vice President of the Lao National Assembly. On...
• Questions without Notice (0 speeches)
  • Mining (8 speeches)
    My question is to the Minister for Small Business and Minister representing the Assistant Treasurer, Senator Sherry. How will the government use the proceeds of the minerals resource rent tax to...
  • Media (11 speeches)
    My question is to the Minister for Broadband, Communications and the Digital Economy. It refers to the appointment of Dr Matthew Ricketson to a role in the so-called independent media inquiry...
  • Environment (6 speeches)
    My question is to the Minister representing the Minister for Resources and Energy, Senator Sherry. Is the minister aware that during the 1990s the former State Electricity Commission of Victoria,...
  • Grains Research and Development Corporation (6 speeches)
    My question is to the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry, Senator Ludwig. Can the minister confirm that the Grains Research and Development Corporation is currently without a board...
  • Grocery Prices (9 speeches)
    My question is to Minister Carr, the Minister for Innovation, Industry, Science and Research. I understand that Woolworths has announced that it plans to double the sale of its Homebrand...
• Questions without Notice: Additional Answers (0 speeches)
  • Indonesian National Police (1 speech)
    I seek leave to have incorporated into Hansard additional information in answer to a question asked of me yesterday by Senator Di Natale. Leave granted. The answer read as follows—...
  • Olympic Dam (1 speech)
    I seek leave to incorporate an additional answer to a question taken on notice from Senator Ludlam on 12 October 2011 concerning Olympic Dam. Leave granted The answer read as follows—...
• Questions without Notice: Take Note of Answers (0 speeches)
  • Carbon Pricing (9 speeches)
    I move: That the Senate take note of the answer given by the Minister for Finance and Deregulation (Senator Wong) to a question without notice asked by Senator Boswell today relating to a...
• Notices (0 speeches)
  • Presentation (15 speeches)
    I give notice that, on the next day of sitting, I shall move: That the provisions of paragraphs (5) to (8) of standing order 111 not apply to various bills, as set out in the list circulated in...
  • Postponement (0 speeches)
    The following items of business were postponed: General business notice of motion no. 508 standing in the name of Senator Madigan for today, relating to the Latrobe Valley, postponed till 7...
• Committees (0 speeches)
  • Cyber-Safety Committee; Meeting (1 speech)
    I move: That the Joint Select Committee on Cyber Safety be authorised to hold a private meeting otherwise than in accordance with standing order 33(1) during the sitting of the Senate on...
  • Environment and Communications References Committee; Reporting Date (1 speech)
    I move: That the time for the presentation of the report of the Environment and Communications References Committee on communication networks' and emergency warning systems' capacities in...
  • Migration Committee; Meeting (1 speech)
    I move: That the Joint Standing Committee on Migration be authorised to hold a public meeting during the sitting of the Senate on Wednesday, 23 November 2011, from 10.30 am to 12.30 pm. Question...
  • Gambling Reform Committee; Meeting (1 speech)
    I move: That the Joint Select Committee on Gambling Reform be authorised to hold a private meeting otherwise than in accordance with standing order 33(1) during the sitting of the Senate on...
  • 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...
• Motions (0 speeches)
  • Women Die Waiting Campaign (1 speech)
    I, and also on behalf of Senator Cash and Senator Moore, move: That the Senate—   (a)   congratulates Anglicord – Anglican Overseas Aid on the launch of the...
• Documents (0 speeches)
  • Australian and New Zealand Government Sustainable Procurement Framework; Order for the Production of Documents (1 speech)
    I move: That there be laid on the table by 21 November 2011 by the Minister for Finance and Deregulation all documents relating to the implementation of the Australian and New Zealand Government...
• Motions (0 speeches)
  • Socioeconomic Inequality and Marginal Tax Rates (1 speech)
    I move: That the Senate—   (a)   notes the recent survey by the Australian Bureau of Statistics which showed that the gap between rich and poor is widening in...
  • Assange, Mr Julian (1 speech)
    I move: That the Senate—   (a)   notes that the High Court in London will bring down its decision on Wednesday, 2 November 2011 regarding Sweden's request to...
  • Forestry (15 speeches)
    I, and also on behalf of Senator Bob Brown, move: That the Senate—   (a)   notes:   (i)   clauses 25 and 27 of the Tasmanian Forests...
  • Hungary (16 speeches)
    I, and also on behalf of Senator Madigan, move: That the Senate notes that: (a)   24 October 2011 was the 55th anniversary of the Soviet invasion of Hungary, during which 20 000...
  • Tuberculosis (1 speech)
    I, and also on behalf of Senator Macdonald, move: That the Senate—   (a)   acknowledges the scale of the tuberculosis threat to Papua New Guinea and the mortality,...
  • National Sorry Day (1 speech)
    I seek leave to amend general business notice of motion No. 518 standing in my name. Leave granted. I move the motion as amended: That the Senate— (a)   acknowledges the...
• Matters of Public Importance (0 speeches)
  • Border Protection (27 speeches)
    The President has received a letter from Senator Fifield: Pursuant to standing order 75, I propose that the following matter of public importance be submitted to the Senate for discussion: The...
• Committees (0 speeches)
  • Scrutiny of Bills Committee; Report (1 speech)
    I present a report and Alert Digest of the Standing Committee for the Scrutiny of Bills. Ordered that the report be printed.
  • Community Affairs Legislation Committee; Additional Information (1 speech)
    On behalf of the Chair of the Community Affairs Legislation Committee, Senator Moore, I present additional information received by the committee on its inquiry into the provisions of the Social...
• 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 .
• Bills (0 speeches)
  • Territories Self-Government Legislation Amendment (Disallowance and Amendment of Laws) Bill 2011; Returned from the House of Representatives (0 speeches)
    Message received from the House of Representatives returning the bill without amendment.
  • Deterring People Smuggling Bill 2011, Higher Education Support Amendment Bill (No. 2) 2011, National Health Reform Amendment (Independent Hospital Pricing Authority) Bill 2011; First Reading (1 speech)
    Bills received from the House of Representatives.
  • Deterring People Smuggling Bill 2011, Higher Education Support Amendment Bill (No. 2) 2011, National Health Reform Amendment (Independent Hospital Pricing Authority) Bill 2011; 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— DETERRING PEOPLE...
  • Australian Renewable Energy Agency Bill 2011, Australian Renewable Energy Agency (Consequential Amendments and Transitional Provisions) Bill 2011; First Reading (1 speech)
    Bills received from the House of Representatives.
  • Australian Renewable Energy Agency Bill 2011, Australian Renewable Energy Agency (Consequential Amendments and Transitional Provisions) Bill 2011; 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— AUSTRALIAN...
• Committees (0 speeches)
  • Rural Affairs and Transport Legislation Committee; Report (1 speech)
    On behalf of the Chair of the Rural Affairs and Transport Legislation Committee, Senator Sterle, I present the report on the Quarantine Amendment (Disallowing Permits) Bill 2011, together with...
• Bills (0 speeches)
  • Clean Energy Bill 2011, Clean Energy (Consequential Amendments) Bill 2011, Clean Energy (Income Tax Rates Amendments) Bill 2011, Clean Energy (Household Assistance Amendments) Bill 2011, Clean Energy (Tax Laws Amendments) Bill 2011, Clean Energy (Fuel Tax Legislation Amendment) Bill 2011, Clean Energy (Customs Tariff Amendment) Bill 2011, Clean Energy (Excise Tariff Legislation Amendment) Bill 2011, Ozone Protection and Synthetic Greenhouse Gas (Import Levy) Amendment Bill 2011, Ozone Protection and Synthetic Greenhouse Gas (Manufacture Levy) Amendment Bill 2011, Clean Energy (Unit Shortfall Charge — General) Bill 2011, Clean Energy (Unit Issue Charge — Auctions) Bill 2011, Clean Energy (Unit Issue Charge — Fixed Charge) Bill 2011, Clean Energy (International Unit Surrender Charge) Bill 2011, Clean Energy (Charges — Customs) Bill 2011, Clean Energy (Charges — Excise) Bill 2011, Clean Energy Regulator Bill 2011, Climate Change Authority Bill 2011, Steel Transformation Plan Bill 2011; Second Reading (7 speeches)
    Debate resumed on the motion: That this bill be now read a second time.
• Documents (0 speeches)
  • Commonwealth and Immigration Ombudsman (1 speech)
    I move: That the Senate take note of the documents. It is now widely known that the former Commonwealth Ombudsman, Mr Allan Asher, in whose name most of these reports under section 486O of the...
  • Australian Electoral Commission (1 speech)
    I move: That the Senate take note of the document. Senators will be aware that I have previously raised the AEC's investigation into Craig Thomson, the Health Services Union and Coastal Voice. As...
  • Department of Health and Ageing (1 speech)
    I move: That the Senate take note of the document. I rise to speak on document No. 35 on page 17 of today's Notice Paper the Department of Health and Ageing report for 2010-11 and the corrigendum...
  • Wet Tropics Management Authority (1 speech)
    I move: That the Senate take note of the document. First of all, I commend the chair of the Wet Tropics Management Authority, Associate Professor Peter Valentine, and all members of the...
  • Australian Institute of Marine Science (1 speech)
    I move: That the Senate take note of the document. I wish to thank Dr Ian Poiner, who is the retiring CEO of the Australian Institute of Marine Science. He has been a particularly strong leader...
  • Australian Centre for International Agricultural Research (1 speech)
    I move: That the Senate take note of the document. I want to take particular note of the work that is being done through the Australian Centre for International Agricultural Research, ACIAR,...
  • Consideration (0 speeches)
    The following orders of the day relating to government documents were considered: Department of Immigration and Citizenship—Report for 2010-11. Motion to take note of document moved by...
• Adjournment (0 speeches)
  • Day for Daniel (1 speech)
    Firstly, Mr Deputy President, thank you for your assistance this evening; I do appreciate it. The date of 28 October was officially recognised as 'Day for Daniel'. Most of us in the Australian...
  • Bendigo Cup, Melbourne Cup (1 speech)
    Thank you, Senator Moore, for a great contribution. I feel my adjournment speech is quite trite now, in comparison. Yesterday was Cup day, the first Tuesday in November, and I think it is...
  • Latrobe Valley: State Electricity Commission of Victoria (1 speech)
    I would like to speak tonight in support of a number of motions I have before the Senate that are directly connected with the concerns of the workers, small business men, union officials,...
  • Baby Safe Havens (1 speech)
    I rise tonight to speak about baby abandonment. At present, baby abandonment is treated as a criminal offence Australia-wide. This basically means that, no matter which state or territory you are...
• Documents (0 speeches)
  • 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)
  • Broadband, Communications and the Digital Economy (Question No. 950) (2 speeches)
    asked the Minister for Broadband, Communications and the Digital Economy, upon notice, on 17 August 2011: Has the Minister or any of his ministerial staff received a briefing, written or verbal,...
  • Broadband, Communications and the Digital Economy (Question No. 951) (2 speeches)
    asked the Minister for Broadband, Communications and the Digital Economy, upon notice, on 17 August 2011: Has the Minister or any of his ministerial staff received a briefing, written or verbal,...
  • Broadband, Communications and the Digital Economy (Question No. 952) (2 speeches)
    asked the Minister for Broadband, Communications and the Digital Economy, upon notice, on 17 August 2011: Has the Minister or any of his ministerial staff received a briefing, written or verbal,...
  • Broadband, Communications and the Digital Economy (Question No. 953) (2 speeches)
    asked the Minister for Broadband, Communications and the Digital Economy, upon notice, on 17 August 2011: Has the Minister, any of his ministerial staff and/or the department received any...
  • Broadband, Communications and the Digital Economy (Question No. 954) (2 speeches)
    asked the Minister for Broadband, Communications and the Digital Economy, upon notice, on 17 August 2011: Has the Minister, any of his ministerial staff and/or the department received...
  • Broadband, Communications and the Digital Economy (Question No. 955) (2 speeches)
    asked the Minister for Broadband, Communications and the Digital Economy, upon notice, on 17 August 2011: When was the department first notified of the Government's intention to extend the...
  • Broadband, Communications and the Digital Economy (Question No. 956) (2 speeches)
    asked the Minister for Broadband, Communications and the Digital Economy, upon notice, on 17 August 2011: Has the Minister or any of his Ministerial staff been given a copy of the report in...
  • Broadband, Communications and the Digital Economy (Question No. 957) (2 speeches)
    asked the Minister for Broadband, Communications and the Digital Economy, upon notice, on 17 August 2011: When did the Minister or any of his ministerial staff first see the text contained in the...
  • Broadband, Communications and the Digital Economy (Question No. 958) (2 speeches)
    asked the Minister for Broadband, Communications and the Digital Economy, upon notice, on 17 August 2011: Did the Minister or any of his ministerial staff receive a briefing, written or verbal,...
  • Broadband, Communications and the Digital Economy (Question No. 959) (2 speeches)
    asked the Minister for Broadband, Communications and the Digital Economy, upon notice, on 17 August 2011: Did the Minister or any of his ministerial staff receive a briefing, written or verbal,...
  • Broadband, Communications and the Digital Economy (Question No. 960) (2 speeches)
    asked the Minister for Broadband, Communications and the Digital Economy, upon notice, on 17 August 2011: Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade regarding the tender panel's report and...
  • Social Inclusion (Question No. 1180) (2 speeches)
    asked the Minister representing the Minister for Social Inclusion, upon notice, on 13 September 2011: With reference to the department and all agencies within the Ministers portfolio: (1) What...
  • Privacy and Freedom of Information (Question No. 1182) (2 speeches)
    asked the Minister representing the Minister for Privacy and Freedom of Information, upon notice, on 13 September 2011: With reference to the department and all agencies within the Ministers...
  • Status of Women (Question No. 1186) (2 speeches)
    asked the Minister representing the Minister for the Status of Women, upon notice, on 13 September 2011: With reference to the department and all agencies within the Minister's portfolio: (1)...
  • Sport (Question No. 1187) (2 speeches)
    asked the Minister for Sport, upon notice, on 13 September 2011: With reference to the department and all agencies within the Ministers portfolio: (1) What was the total cost of allowances for...
  • Social Housing and Homelessness (Question No. 1189) (2 speeches)
    asked the Minister for Social Housing and Homelessness, upon notice, on 13 September 2011: With reference to the department and all agencies within the Minister's portfolio: (1) What was the...
  • Innovation, Industry, Science and Research (Question No. 1190) (2 speeches)
    asked the Minister for Innovation, Industry, Science and Research, upon notice, on 13 September 2011: With reference to the department and all agencies within the Minister's portfolio: (1) What...
  • Veterans' Affairs (Question No. 1191) (2 speeches)
    asked the Minister representing the Minister for Veterans ' Affairs , upon notice, on 13 September 2011: With reference to the department and all agencies within the Minister's portfolio:...
  • Special Minister of State for the Public Service and Integrity (Question No. 1197) (2 speeches)
    asked the Minister representing the Special Minister of State for the Public Service and Integrity, upon notice, on 13 September 2011: With reference to the department and all agencies within the...
  • Australian Electoral Commission (Question No. 1202) (2 speeches)
    asked the Minister representing the Special Minister of State, upon notice, on 15 September 2011: In regard to the 2010 Federal Election and the issue of multiple voting: (1) How many cases of...
  • Special Minister of State (Question No. 1209) (2 speeches)
    asked the Minister representing the Special Minister of State, upon notice, on 15 September 2011: Given that the answer to question on notice no. 846 refers to the 'assignment of particular...
  • Immigration and Citizenship (Question No. 1211) (2 speeches)
    asked the Minister representing the Minister for Immigration and Citizenship, upon notice, on 15 September 2011: With reference to the answer to question BE11/0079 taken on notice during the...
  • Natural Disaster Relief and Recovery Arrangements (Question No. 1212) (2 speeches)
    asked the Minister representing the Attorney-General, upon notice, on 16 September 2011: In regard to applications for 'betterment' of public assets under the Natural Disaster Relief and Recovery...
  • Fair Work Australia (Question No. 1214) (2 speeches)
    asked the Minister for Tertiary Education, Skills, Jobs and Workplace Relations, upon notice, on 19 September 2011: (1) What are the financial reporting requirements for entities registered under...
  • Treasury (Question No. 1224) (2 speeches)
    asked the Minister representing the Treasurer, upon notice, on 21 September 2011: With reference to the answers to question no BET 267 and BET 268 taken on notice during the 2011-12 Budget...
  • Chronic Disease Dental Scheme (Question No. 1227) (2 speeches)
    asked the Minister representing the Minister for Human Services, upon notice, on 20 September 2011: In regard to the Medicare Chronic Disease Dental Scheme (CDDS): (1) What is the scheduled fee...
  • Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (Question No. 1229) (2 speeches)
    asked the Minister representing the Minister for Immigration and Citizenship, upon notice, on 21 September 2011: Will the 'character test' under section 501 of the Migration Act 1958 and the...
  • Prime Minister and Cabinet: Media Staffing (Question No. 1240) (2 speeches)
    asked the Minister representing the Prime Minister, upon notice, on 22 September 2011: With reference to the answers provided to questions on notice nos 845 (Senate, Hansard, 24 August 2011, p....
  • Infrastructure and Transport (Question No. 1262) (2 speeches)
    asked the Minister representing the Minister for Infrastructure and Transport, upon notice, on 22 September 2011: (1)   Has the Minister been briefed or had meetings with the...
  • Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (Question No. 1263) (2 speeches)
    ask the Minister representing the Treasurer, upon notice, on 26 September 2011: In regard to the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) and its legal action against the acquisition...