Senate debates

Wednesday, 23 November 2011

• Motions (0 speeches)
  • Mining (28 speeches)
    I seek leave to move a motion relating to the secret mining tax deal between the Leader of the Australian Labor Party and the Leader of the Australian Greens. Leave not granted. Pursuant to...
• Bills (0 speeches)
  • Parliamentary Service Amendment (Parliamentary Budget Officer) Bill 2011; Second Reading (36 speeches)
    Debate resumed.
• Personal Explanations (0 speeches)
  • (5 speeches)
    I seek leave to make a brief personal explanation as I have missed a division. Leave granted. I will not take long. I wanted to make a personal explanation for missing a division earlier this...
• Matters of Public Interest (0 speeches)
  • Marist College Pagewood (1 speech)
    This year marks the 50th anniversary of education of young men in the Marist tradition at Marist College Pagewood. From humble beginnings in 1961 as an eight-room primary school in the south-east...
  • Forestry (1 speech)
    I rise today to speak about the complete and utter mismanagement of the forest sector nationally by this government here in Canberra and about the complete shambles which is the management of the...
  • Coral Sea (1 speech)
    It is my great pleasure to rise to speak today about the Coral Sea and to share with the chamber, and any folks who might be listening, the beauty and specialness of this area of our waters off...
  • Defence Procurement (1 speech)
    I recently addressed the Senate on the subject of accountability in Defence, in particular the downstream consequences of the matrix model in procurement. I believe we need to re-examine the...
  • Murray-Darling Basin (1 speech)
    In a matter of days the draft Murray-Darling Basin plan will be announced. This is an issue of utmost importance for Australia. The Murray-Darling Basin is what feeds us. It represents 40 per...
• Questions without Notice (0 speeches)
  • Carbon Pricing (6 speeches)
    My question is to the Minister representing the Minister for Climate Change and Energy Efficiency, Senator Wong. Is the minister aware that a recent report by UBS concluded that Europe's...
  • Mining (6 speeches)
    My question is to the Minister for Small Business and the Minister representing the Assistant Treasurer, Senator Sherry. Can the minister inform the Senate how the Gillard government will use the...
  • Carbon Pricing (12 speeches)
    Mr President, my question is to the Minister representing the Minister for Climate Change and Energy Efficiency, Senator Wong. I refer the minister to findings in the Essential Services...
  • Forestry (11 speeches)
    My question is to the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry. I refer him to the Tasmanian Forests Intergovernmental Agreement and ask why, three months after that agreement was signed,...
  • Asylum Seekers (35 speeches)
    My question is to the Minister representing the Minister for Immigration and Citizenship, Senator Carr. I refer to the promise made by Prime Minister Gillard, after she politically executed...
  • Broadband (6 speeches)
    My question is to the Minister for Broadband, Communications and the Digital Economy, Senator Conroy. Can the minister please inform the Senate of any international approaches to broadband...
  • Qantas (6 speeches, 1 comment)
    My question is to the Minister representing the Minister for Infrastructure and Transport, Senator Carr. Qantas CEO Alan Joyce in his evidence to the Senate Rural Affairs and Transport...
  • Carbon Pricing (19 speeches)
    My question is to the Minister representing the Minister for Resources and Energy, Senator Sherry. As a Union Bank of Switzerland report has stated that €210 billion has been wasted in the...
  • Medicare (7 speeches)
    My question is to the Minister representing the Minister for Health and Ageing, Senator Ludwig. I refer to the government's announcement of 38 new Medicare Locals to be established under a $477...
• Questions without Notice: Additional Answers (0 speeches)
  • Carbon Pricing (1 speech)
    Yesterday Senator Williams asked me some questions in relation to the Clean Technology Food and Foundries Investment Program. The senator suggested that grants were not available for replacement...
• Answers to Questions on Notice (0 speeches)
  • Question No. 686 (5 speeches)
    Pursuant to standing order 74(5), I ask the Minister representing the Treasurer, Minister Wong, for an explanation as to why an answer was not provided to question No. 686, which is now 162 days...
• Questions without Notice: Take Note of Answers (0 speeches)
  • Answers to Questions (13 speeches)
    I move: That the Senate take note of answers given by ministers to questions without notice asked by Opposition senators today. A couple of weeks ago, Labor members and Greens senators were...
• Privilege (0 speeches)
  • (1 speech)
    By letter dated 22 November 2011, Senator Kroger has raised a matter of privilege under standing order 81. The matter concerns a possible relationship between Senator Bob Brown and Mr Graham Wood...
• Notices (0 speeches)
  • Presentation (27 speeches)
    To move: That the following matter be referred to the Committee of Privileges for inquiry and report: Having regard to matters raised by Senator Kroger relating to political donations made by Mr...
  • Postponement (0 speeches)
    The following items of business were postponed: Business of the Senate notice of motion no. 3 standing in the name of the Chair of the Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade References Committee...
• Committees (0 speeches)
  • Community Affairs References Committee; Reference (1 speech)
    I, and also on behalf of Senator Boyce, move: That the following matter be referred to the Community Affairs References Committee for inquiry and report by 12 September 2012: The provision of...
• Motions (0 speeches)
  • Special Broadcasting Service (1 speech)
    I move: That the Senate— (a) notes that:   (i) in Australia there are twice as many people speaking languages other than English and that Australia is more culturally and racially...
  • Australian Diamonds Netball Team (1 speech)
    I, and also on behalf of Senators Cash, Lundy, Arbib and McEwen, move: That the Senate— (a) recognises that sport is integral to life for so many Australians; (b) acknowledges that the...
• Bills (0 speeches)
  • Crimes Amendment (Fairness for Minors) Bill 2011; First Reading (1 speech)
    I move: That the following bill be introduced: A Bill for an Act to amend the Crimes Act 1914, and for related purposes. Question agreed to. I present the bill and move: That this bill may...
  • Crimes Amendment (Fairness for Minors) Bill 2011; Second Reading (1 speech)
    I move: That this bill be now read a second time. I seek leave to table an explanatory memorandum relating to the bill. Leave granted. I table the explanatory memorandum and seek leave to have...
• Motions (0 speeches)
  • Australian Refugee Council (1 speech)
    I move: That the Senate congratulates the Australian Refugee Council on its 30th anniversary – 30 years of wonderful work, advocacy and promotion of Australia's multicultural society,...
• Committees (0 speeches)
  • Legal and Constitutional Affairs References Committee; Reference (9 speeches)
    I move: That the following matters be referred to the Legal and Constitutional Affairs References Committee for inquiry and report by 14 April 2012: (a) the need for national law reform...
• Motions (0 speeches)
  • Uranium Exports (1 speech)
    I move: That the Senate— (a) notes the Howard Government's 2007 decision to sell uranium to India subject to appropriate bilateral and international safeguards; (b) calls on the Australian...
• Committees (0 speeches)
  • Legal and Constitutional Affairs References Committee; Reference (23 speeches)
    I seek leave to make a statement in respect of business of the Senate notice of motion No. 1. Leave not granted. I move: That so much of the standing orders be suspended as would prevent Senator...
• Distinguished Visitors (0 speeches)
  • (1 speech)
    I acknowledge the presence in the gallery of former senator the Hon. Jocelyn Newman. Honourable senators: Hear, hear!
• Documents (0 speeches)
  • Carbon Pricing; Order for the Production of Documents (1 speech)
    I move: That there be laid on the table by the Minister representing the Treasurer, no later than noon on 2 December 2011, the following information relating to the Department of the Treasury...
• Motions (0 speeches)
  • Poland (1 speech, 1 comment)
    I, and also on behalf of Senator Madigan, move: That the Senate notes: (a) that 17 December is the anniversary of the shooting of Polish workers in Gdynia in 1970, where soldiers fired into the...
  • ANZUS Treaty (3 speeches)
    I move: That the Senate— (a) recognises that the ANZUS Treaty came about following the close cooperation of the United States of America (US) and Australia and New Zealand during World War...
  • Trans-Pacific Partnership (1 speech)
    I move: That the Senate notes: (a) the Gillard Government's failure to consult with the Australian public or the Parliament on the recent decision to deploy troops, ships and aircraft from the...
  • Education Funding (1 speech)
    I move: That the Senate— (a) notes that:   (i) the University of Sydney in the week beginning 20 November 2011 announced 340 planned job cuts to academic and general staff, due to...
  • Trans-Pacific Partnership (1 speech)
    I move: That the Senate— (a) notes:   (i) the announcement by the Prime Minister (Ms Gillard) of Australia's in principle agreement to the Trans Pacific Partnership free trade...
• Committees (0 speeches)
  • Rural Affairs and Transport References Committee; Reporting Date (1 speech)
    At the request of the Chair of the Rural Affairs and Transport References Committee, Senator Heffernan, I move: That the time for the presentation of reports of the Rural Affairs and Transport...
  • Corporations and Financial Services Committee; Meeting (1 speech)
    At the request of the Deputy Chair of the Parliamentary Joint Committee on Corporations and Financial Services, Senator Boyce, I move: That the Parliamentary Joint Committee on Corporations and...
  • Scrutiny of Bills Committee; Report (1 speech)
    I present the 14th report of the Senate Standing Committee for the Scrutiny of Bills. I also lay on the table Scrutiny of Bills Alert Digest No.14 of 2011, dated 23 November 2011. Ordered that...
  • Environment and Communications References Committee; Report (1 speech)
    I present the report of the Environment and Communications References Committee on the communication networks' and emergency warning systems' capacities in emergencies and natural disasters,...
• Distinguished Visitors (0 speeches)
  • (1 speech)
    I acknowledge the presence in the gallery of former Prime Minister John Howard. I extend a warm welcome to you and trust you enjoy the proceedings this afternoon. Honourable senators: Hear, hear!
• First Speech (0 speeches)
  • (2 speeches)
    Order! Pursuant to order, I now call Senator Sinodinos to make his first speech and ask honourable senators that the usual courtesies be extended to him.
• Committees (0 speeches)
  • Rural Affairs and Transport References Committee; Report (12 speeches)
    I present the report of the Rural Affairs and Transport References Committee on animal welfare standards in Australia's live export markets and on the Live Animal Export (Slaughter) Prohibition...
• Bills (0 speeches)
  • Parliamentary Service Amendment (Parliamentary Budget Officer) Bill 2011; Second Reading (12 speeches)
    Debate resumed on the motion: That this bill be now read a second time.
  • Parliamentary Service Amendment (Parliamentary Budget Officer) Bill 2011; In Committee (55 speeches)
    Bill—by leave—taken as a whole.
  • Parliamentary Service Amendment (Parliamentary Budget Officer) Bill 2011; Third Reading (2 speeches)
    I seek leave, responding to a request by Minister Wong, to provide further explanation to the chamber about the deep flaws in the Parliamentary Service Amendment (Parliamentary Budget Officer)...
  • Tax Laws Amendment (2011 Measures No. 8) Bill 2011, Higher Education Support Amendment Bill (No. 2) 2011, National Residue Survey (Excise) Levy Amendment (Deer) Bill 2011, Indigenous Affairs Legislation Amendment Bill (No. 2) 2011, Defence Legislation Amendment Bill 2011 (12 speeches)
    In respect of the Tax Laws amendment (2011 Measures No. 8) Bill 2011, the question is that schedule 2 stand as printed. That has been circulated on the revised opposition amendment sheet 7181. Is...
• Adjournment (0 speeches)
  • Mental Health, Same-Sex Relationships (1 speech)
    I have spoken on the topic of mental health on a number of occasions; however, I feel that now—with all the pressure of end-of-year exams, the unknown of new beginnings and the competition...
  • Superannuation (2 speeches)
    I note Senator Polley's comments earlier on about beyondblue. You may notice that I have been growing a moustache since the beginning of this month and that is in aid of Movember, which is...
  • Western Sahara (18 speeches)
    Australian companies, apparently with the support of the federal government, are trading in phosphate mined in Western Sahara with no benefits going to the local people. Western Sahara, illegally...
• Documents (0 speeches)
  • Tabling (0 speeches)
    The following government documents were tabled: Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Social Justice Commissioner—Reports for 2011— Native title. Social justice. Migration Act...
• Questions on Notice (0 speeches)
  • Climate Change and Energy Efficiency: Code of Conduct Investigations (Question No. 1064) (2 speeches)
    asked the Minister representing the Minister for Climate Change and Energy Efficiency, upon notice, on 29 August 2011: (1) How many Code of Conduct investigations have there been within the...
  • Families, Housing, Community Services and Indigenous Affairs (Question No. 1151) (2 speeches)
    asked the Minister representing the Minister for Families, Housing, Community Services and Indigenous Affairs, upon notice , on 12 September 2011: How many corporations are registered under the...
  • Climate Change and Energy Efficiency (Question No. 1218) (2 speeches)
    asked the Minister representing the Minister for Climate Change and Energy Efficiency, upon notice on, 19 September 2011: In regard to the manufacturing sectors support for trade exposed...
  • Infrastructure and Transport (Question No. 1265) (2 speeches)
    asked the Minister representing the Minister for Infrastructure and Transport, upon notice, on 4 October 2011: (1) Is the Minister aware that the Victorian Department of Transport is ignoring the...
  • Building the Education Revolution Program (Question No. 1276) (2 speeches)
    asked the Minister for Tertiary Education, Skills, Jobs and Workplace Relations, upon notice, on 12 October 2011: In regard to the Building the Education Revolution program: (1) How many schools...
  • Australian Men's Shed Association (Question No. 1298) (2 speeches)
    asked the Minister representing the Prime Minister, upon notice, on 31 October 2011: (1) What discussions were held by the Ministers and/or the Prime Minister, their offices or Departments with...
  • Fair Work Australia (Question No. 1311) (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 Act 2009 (the Act), right of entry provisions: (1) Is...
  • Fair Work Australia (Question No. 1321) (2 speeches)
    asked the Minister for Tertiary Education, Skills, Jobs and Workplace Relations, upon notice, on 1 November 2011: In relation to section 335 of the Fair Work (Registered Organisations) Act 2009:...