Senate debates

Monday, 21 November 2011

• Committees (0 speeches)
  • Legal and Constitutional Affairs Legislation Committee; Meeting (1 speech)
    by leave—I move: That the Legal and Constitutional Affairs Legislation Committee be authorised to hold a private meeting otherwise than in accordance with standing order 33(1) during the...
  • Community Affairs References Committee; Meeting (1 speech)
    by leave—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...
• Business (0 speeches)
  • Rearrangement (32 speeches)
    Before I start on the motion to vary the hours this week, I advise I will be seeking leave to amend the motion before moving it. I seek leave to make a short statement as well to explain the...
  • Consideration of Legislation (2 speeches)
    I move government business notice of motion No. 2: That any order of the day relating to the Auditor-General Amendment Bill 2011 be listed on the Notice Paper as a government business order of...
  • Rearrangement (1 speech)
    I move: That intervening business be postponed till after consideration of the government business orders of the day relating to the Social Security Legislation Amendment (Family Participation...
• Bills (0 speeches)
  • Social Security Legislation Amendment (Family Participation Measures) Bill 2011; Second Reading (4 speeches)
    Debate resumed on the motion: That this bill be now read a second time.
  • Social Security Legislation Amendment (Family Participation Measures) Bill 2011; In Committee (31 speeches)
    Bill—by leave—taken as a whole.
  • Social Security Legislation Amendment (Family Participation Measures) Bill 2011; Third Reading (3 speeches)
    I move: That the bill be now read a third time.
  • Business Names Registration (Application of Consequential Amendments) Bill 2011; Second Reading (2 speeches)
    Debate resumed on the motion: That the bill be now read a second time.
  • Business Names Registration (Application of Consequential Amendments) Bill 2011; Third Reading (2 speeches)
    As there have been no amendments circulated for the bill I call on the minister to move the third reading, unless any senator requires that the bill be considered in the Committee of the Whole.
  • Social Security and Other Legislation Amendment Bill 2011; Second Reading (4 speeches)
    Debate resumed on the motion: That the bill be now read a second time.
  • In Committee; Third Reading (1 speech)
    I move: That the bill be now read a third time. Question agreed to. Bill read a third time.
  • In Committee (0 speeches)
• Business (0 speeches)
  • Rearrangement (1 speech)
    I move: That intervening business be postponed till after consideration of the government business order of the day relating to the National Health Reform Amendment (Independent Hospital Pricing...
• Bills (0 speeches)
  • National Health Reform Amendment (Independent Hospital Pricing Authority) Bill 2011; Second Reading (2 speeches)
    Debate resumed on the motion: That this bill be now read a second time.
• Questions without Notice (0 speeches)
  • Carbon Pricing (9 speeches)
    My question is to the Minister representing the Minister for Climate Change and Energy Efficiency, Senator Wong. Given President Obama confirmed last year that the United States would not have a...
  • Afghanistan (6 speeches)
    My question without notice is to the Minister representing the Prime Minister. What is the government's response to news in the Fairfax press today that the commander of the Afghan troops being...
  • Mining (8 speeches)
    My question is to the Minister for Small Business and Minister representing the Assistant Treasurer, Senator Sherry. Can the minister advise the Senate what priority the Gillard government will...
  • Member for Dobell (14 speeches)
    My question is to the Minister representing the Prime Minister and the Minister for Employment and Workplace Relations, Senator Evans. Given that the Prime Minister has to date been Craig...
  • Asylum Seekers (6 speeches)
    My question is to the Minister representing the Minister for Home Affairs and the Minister for Justice, Senator Joe Ludwig. In the UK the practice of using X-rays to determine the ages of...
  • Mining (6 speeches)
    My question is to the minister representing the Treasurer, Senator Wong. Can the minister outline to the Senate the benefits to the Australian economy of ensuring a fairer return on profits from...
• Distinguished Visitors (0 speeches)
  • (1 speech)
    Order! I recognise the presence in the public gallery of former Senator Chris Ellison. Welcome, former Senator Ellison. I hope you are enjoying question time once again. Honourable senators:...
• Questions without Notice (0 speeches)
  • Mining (15 speeches)
    Mr President, let us add to that enjoyment. My question is to the Minister representing the Minister for Resources and Energy, Senator Sherry. Can the minister explain why the government has...
  • Indigenous Employment (6 speeches)
    Mr President, my question is to the Minister for Indigenous Employment and Economic Development, Senator Arbib. Can the minister please update the Senate on how the Gillard government is creating...
  • Carbon Pricing (17 speeches)
    My question is to the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry, Senator Ludwig. Can the minister explain why the government did not conduct modelling to determine the average increased...
  • Broadband (7 speeches)
    My question is to the Minister for Broadband, Communications and the Digital Economy, Senator Conroy. Is the minister aware of any independent analysis of proposed broadband plans other than the NBN?
• 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 Cormann today relating to the...
• Petitions (0 speeches)
  • Global Greens (0 speeches)
    To the Honourable President and members of the Senate in Parliament assembled: The petition of the undersigned Australian people shows and acknowledges: That the Australian Greens are under the...
  • Marriage (0 speeches)
    To the Honourable President and members of the Senate in Parliament assembled, The petition of the undersigned believes marriage is primarily about reinforcing the bond between one man, one woman...
  • Halal Islamic Food (0 speeches)
    To the Honourable President and members of the Senate in Parliament assembled This petition of certain citizens of Australia draws the attention of the Senate to the dramatic expansion of Halal...
• Notices (0 speeches)
  • Presentation (15 speeches)
    To move: That the application of the standing orders, presidential rulings and past practices for the order of call to speak in debate (as outlined in the Procedure Committee's Second report of...
• Business (0 speeches)
  • Rearrangement (1 speech)
    I move: That general business order of the day no. 51 (Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Amendment (Bioregional Plans) Bill 2011 be considered on Thursday, 24 November 2011...
• Questions without Notice: Additional Answers (0 speeches)
  • Environment (1 speech)
    by leave—At the request of Senator Conroy, I seek leave to incorporate an answer to a supplementary question taken from Senator Waters on 7 November 2011. Leave granted. The inco r porated...
• Business (0 speeches)
  • Leave of Absence (1 speech)
    by leave— I move: That Senators Adams, Boyce and Heffernan be granted leave of absence for today, 21 November 2011, for personal reasons. Question agreed to.
• Committees (0 speeches)
  • Rural Affairs and Transport Legislation Committee (1 speech)
    by leave—I move: That the time for the presentation of the reports of the Rural Affairs and Transport Legislation Committee on the Air Navigation and Civil Aviation Amendment (Aircraft...
• Notices (0 speeches)
  • Postponement (0 speeches)
    The following items of business were postponed: General business notice of motion no. 27 standing in the name of the Leader of the Australian Greens (Senator Bob Brown) for today, proposing the...
• Bills (0 speeches)
  • Protecting Children from Junk Food Advertising (Broadcasting and Telecommunications Amendment) Bill 2011; First Reading (1 speech)
    I, and also on behalf of Senator Di Natali, move: That the following bill be introduced: A Bill for an Act to amend the Broadcasting Services Act 1992 to encourage healthier eating habits among...
  • Protecting Children from Junk Food Advertising (Broadcasting and Telecommunications Amendment) Bill 2011; Second Reading (1 speech)
    by leave—I table the explanatory memorandum to the bill and move: That this bill be now read a second time. I seek leave to have the second reading speech incorporated in Hansard. Leave...
• Committees (0 speeches)
  • National Broadband Network Committee; Meeting (1 speech)
    I move: That the Joint Standing Committee on the National Broadband Network be authorised to hold a private meeting otherwise than in accordance with standing order 33(1) during the sitting of...
• Motions (0 speeches)
  • Asbestos (1 speech)
    I, and also on behalf of Senator Xenophon, move: That the Senate—   (a)   formally marks National Asbestos Awareness Week, which this year is being held between 21...
  • European Farm Subsidies (1 speech)
    I move: That the Senate—   (a)   notes the continued financial problems and huge debt levels afflicting many European countries;...
  • Goods and Services Tax (1 speech)
    I move: That the Senate—   (a)   notes the report of the Book Industry Strategy Group recommending that the goods and services tax be scrapped from domestic book...
• Matters of Urgency (0 speeches)
  • Same-Sex Relationships (12 speeches)
    I inform the Senate that, at 8.30 am today, two senators submitted letters in accordance with standing order 75. Senator Siewert proposed a matter of urgency and Senator Fifield proposed a matter...
• Ministerial Statements (0 speeches)
  • Afghanistan (4 speeches)
    On behalf of the Prime Minister, Ms Gillard, I table the ministerial statement on Afghanistan.
• Committees (0 speeches)
  • Rural Affairs and Transport References Committee; Government Response to Report (10 speeches)
    by leave—I move: That the Senate take note of the government response to the Senate Rural Affairs and Transport References Committee inquiry's report Science underpinning the inability to...
  • Education, Employment and Workplace Relations References Committee; Government Response to Report (7 speeches)
    by leave—I move: That the Senate take note of the government response to the report of the Education, Employment and Workplace Relations References Committee on the welfare of international...
  • Government Response to Report (2 speeches)
    Pursuant to standing order 166, I present documents listed on today's Order of Business at item 12 which were presented to Temporary Chairs of Committees since the Senate last sat. In accordance...
• Documents (0 speeches)
  • Responses to Senate Resolutions; Tabling (2 speeches)
    I present the following responses to Senate resolutions: (1) from Tasmanian Minister for Health (Ms O'Byrne) and the ACT Chief Minister (Ms Gallagher) to a resolution of the Senate of 22...
• Committees (0 speeches)
  • Public Accounts and Audit Committee; Report (1 speech)
    I present a report on access to documents of the Joint Standing Committee of Public Accounts and Audit.
  • Economics Legislation Committee; Report (1 speech)
    On behalf of the chair of the Economics Legislation Committee, Senator Bishop, I present the report of the committee on the provisions of the Tax Laws Amendment (2011 Measures No. 8) Bill 2011...
• Delegation Reports (0 speeches)
  • Parliamentary Delegation to the 32nd General Assembly of the ASEAN Inter-Parliamentary Assembly (1 speech)
    by leave—I present the report of the Australian parliamentary delegation to the 32nd General Assembly of the ASEAN Inter-Parliamentary Assembly, which took place in September 2011. I seek...
• Documents (0 speeches)
  • Tabling (0 speeches)
    The Clerk: Documents are tabled pursuant to statute. Details will be recorded in the Journals of the Senate and on the Dynamic Red. A statement of compliance is tabled in accordance with the...
• Bills (0 speeches)
  • Tobacco Plain Packaging Bill 2011; Returned from the House of Representatives (58 speeches)
    Message received from the House of Representatives agreeing to the amendments made by the Senate to the Tobacco Plain Packaging Bill 2011.
  • Personal Property Securities Amendment (Registration Commencement) Bill 2011; Report of Legislation Committee (1 speech)
    Pursuant to order and at the request of the Chair of the Legal and Constitutional Affairs Legislation Committee, Senator Crossin, I present reports of the Legal and Constitutional Affairs...
  • National Health Reform Amendment (Independent Hospital Pricing Authority) Bill 2011; Second Reading (5 speeches)
    Debate resumed on the motion: That this bill be now read a second time.
  • National Health Reform Amendment (Independent Hospital Pricing Authority) Bill 2011; In Committee (1 speech)
    Bill—by leave—taken as a whole.
• Ministerial Statements (0 speeches)
  • Afghanistan (7 speeches)
    I move: That the Senate take note of the ministerial statement on Afghanistan. September 11, 2011 was the tenth anniversary, if we can call it that, of the horrific and cowardly attacks on the...
• Bills (0 speeches)
  • National Health Reform Amendment (Independent Hospital Pricing Authority) Bill 2011; In Committee (16 speeches)
    Debate resumed.
  • National Health Reform Amendment (Independent Hospital Pricing Authority) Bill 2011; Third Reading (1 speech)
    The question now is that the remaining stages of this bill be agreed to and the bill be now passed. Question agreed to. Bill read a third time.
  • Coal Mining Industry (Long Service Leave) Legislation Amendment Bill 2011, Tax Laws Amendment (2011 Measures No. 7) Bill 2011, Navigation Amendment Bill 2011, Maritime Legislation Amendment Bill 2011; Third Reading (3 speeches)
    Order! The time allotted for the consideration of these bills has now expired. The question is that the remaining stages of the bills be agreed to and the bills be now passed.
• Adjournment (0 speeches)
  • Same-Sex Relationships (1 speech)
    In this the week before the Australian Labor Party's national conference I rise to express my full support for marriage equality. The momentum is building to change this anachronistic policy,...
  • White Ribbon Day, Australian Netball Awards (1 speech)
    I rise this evening to speak in support of the United Nations International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women, or White Ribbon Day, as it is now known, which this year occurs on...
  • Africa (2 speeches)
    As a member of the Joint Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade, earlier this year I participated in a delegation to Africa. That formed part of the committee's inquiry into...
  • Bonner, Former Senator Neville, AO (1 speech)
    I recently received an invitation from the Board of Directors of the Tweed Aboriginal Cooperative Society to attend the 50th anniversary celebration luncheon honouring a Miss Margaret Kay and to...
• Documents (0 speeches)
  • Indexed Lists of Departmental and Agency Files (0 speeches)
    The following document was 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)
  • Carbon Pricing (Question No. 1018) (2 speeches)
    asked the Minister representing the Minister for Climate Change and Energy Efficiency, upon notice, on 22 August 2011: In regard to the Clean Energy Future document, 'What a carbon price means...
  • Asylum Seekers (Question No. 1206) (2 speeches)
    asked the Minister representing the Minister for Immigration and Citizenship, upon notice, on 15 September 2011: (1) How many asylum seekers were transferred in the first group, and can a...
  • Tertiary Education, Skills, Jobs and Workplace Relations (Question No. 1213) (2 speeches)
    asked the Minister for Tertiary Education, Skills, Jobs and Workplace Relations, upon notice, on 19 September 2011: In relation to the Minister's media release entitled 'New health and safety...
  • Climate Change and Energy Efficiency (Question No. 1216) (2 speeches)
    asked the Minister representing the Minister for Climate Change and Energy Efficiency, upon notice, on 19 September 2011: In regard to cost estimates of the Coalition's direct action scheme: (1)...
  • Tertiary Education, Skills, Jobs and Workplace Relations (Question No. 1241) (2 speeches)
    asked the Minister for Tertiary Education, Skills, Jobs and Workplace Relations, upon notice, on 21 September 2011: Are all aspects of the Fair Work Act 2009 working as intended; if not:...
  • Tertiary Education, Skills, Jobs and Workplace Relations (Question No. 1242) (2 speeches)
    asked the Minister for Tertiary Education, Skills, Jobs and Workplace Relations, upon notice, on 21 September 2011: (1) What preparatory work is being done by each of the following for the review...
  • Tertiary Education, Skills, Jobs and Workplace Relations (Question No. 1267) (2 speeches)
    asked the Minister for Tertiary Education, Skills, Jobs and Workplace Relations, upon notice, on 5 October 2011: Can the Minister confirm no judicial consideration has been given to sections 357...
  • Human Services (Question No. 1272) (2 speeches)
    asked the Minister representing the Minister for Human Services, upon notice, on 11 October 2011: With reference to the answer to question on notice no. 689 (Senate, Hansard, 17 August 2011, p....
  • Families, Housing, Community Services and Indigenous Affairs (Question No. 1274) (2 speeches)
    asked the Minister representing the Minister for Families, Housing, Community Services and Indigenous Affairs, upon notice , on 12 October 2011: (1) In regard to expenditure, can a breakdown be...
  • Fair Work Ombudsman (Question No. 1310) (2 speeches)
    asked the Minister for Tertiary Education, Skills, Jobs and Workplace Relations, upon notice, on 31 October 2011: In regard to the Fair Work Ombudsman, has any advice been provided to Fair Work...