Senate debates

Monday, 27 February 2012

• Business (0 speeches)
  • Days and Hours of Meeting (2 speeches)
    I table a letter signed by and on behalf of all senators requesting that the meeting of the Senate be postponed until 12 noon today. I consider that this request is consistent with the basic...
• Committees (0 speeches)
  • Education, Employment and Workplace Relations Legislation Committee; Meeting (1 speech)
    by leave—on behalf of the Chair of the Education, Employment and Workplace Relations Legislation Committee (Senator Marshall), I move: That the Education, Employment and Workplace Relations...
• Bills (0 speeches)
  • National Radioactive Waste Management Bill 2010; In Committee (33 speeches)
    The committee is considering the National Radioactive Waste Management Bill 2010. The question is that the bill stand as printed.
• Ministerial Arrangements (0 speeches)
  • (1 speech)
    I advise the Senate that the Prime Minister has asked the Minister for Trade, Dr Craig Emerson MP, to act as Minister for Foreign Affairs. Senator Conroy will continue to be the minister...
• Questions without Notice (0 speeches)
  • Gillard Government (11 speeches)
    My question is to the Leader of the Government in the Senate, Senator Evans. What benefits have there been for the Australian people, battling with cost-of-living pressures, in the unseemly and...
  • Water (15 speeches)
    My question without notice goes to the Minister representing the Minister for the Sustainability, Environment, Water, Population and Communities. I ask regarding the wild rivers protection in...
  • Employment (6 speeches)
    My question is to the Minister representing the Treasurer, Senator Wong. Can the minister update the Senate on the outlook for the Australian economy and, specifically, can she outline the...
  • Labor Party Leadership (10 speeches)
    My question is to the Minister representing the Prime Minister, Senator Evans. Is the minister familiar with the fundamental constitutional principle that the legitimacy of a Prime Minister...
  • Iran (16 speeches)
    My question is to the minister representing the minister for Foreign affairs and trade—whoever that currently is. I refer to rising tensions over the threat of a military attack by the...
  • Small Business (9 speeches)
    My question is to the Minister for Small Business, Senator Arbib. Could the minister please outline to the Senate what the Labor government is doing to support people in small business? In...
  • Broadband (23 speeches)
    My question is to the diplomatic Minister for Broadband, Communications and the Digital Economy, Senator Conroy! Was the decision to embark on a $43 billion fibre-to-the-home national broadband...
  • Gillard Government (13 speeches)
    My question is to the Minister representing the Prime Minister, Senator Evans. I refer the minister to comments made by fund manager Pengana Emerging Companies, who said last week: A strongly led...
  • Hospitals (13 speeches)
    My question is to Senator Ludwig, the minister representing the Minister for Health. Can the minister outline for the Senate the investments that the Gillard government has made to regional...
• Questions without Notice: Take Note of Answers (0 speeches)
  • Gillard Government, National Broadband Network (13 speeches)
    I move: That the Senate take note of the answers given by the Minister for Tertiary Education, Skills, Science and Research (Senator Evans) and the Minister for Broadband, Communications and the...
  • Iran (1 speech)
    I move: That the Senate take note of the answer given by the Minister for Broadband, Communications and the Digital Economy (Senator Conroy) to a question without notice asked by Senator Ludlam...
• Business (0 speeches)
  • Leave of Absence (2 speeches)
    by leave—I move: That leave of absence be granted to Senator Sherry from 27 February to 1 March 2012, on account of parliamentary business. Question agreed to.
  • Consideration of Legislation (1 speech)
    At the request of Senator Arbib, I move: That the following general business orders of the day be considered on Thursday, 1 March 2012 under the temporary order relating to the consideration of...
• Committees (0 speeches)
  • Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade Joint Committee; Meeting (1 speech)
    by leave—at the request of Senator Furner, I move: That the order of the Senate of 9 February 2012 authorising the Joint Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade to hold...
• Notices (0 speeches)
  • Postponement (1 speech)
    I withdraw business of the Senate notice of motion no. 1 standing in my name for tomorrow.
• Bills (0 speeches)
  • Special Broadcasting Service Amendment (Natural Program Breaks and Disruptive Advertising) Bill 2012; First Reading (1 speech)
    I move: That the following bill be introduced: A Bill for an Act to Special Broadcasting Service Act 1991, and for related purposes. Question agreed to. I present the bill and move: That this...
  • Special Broadcasting Service Amendment (Natural Program Breaks and Disruptive Advertising) Bill 2012; Second Reading (1 speech)
    I present the explanatory memorandum and move: That this bill be now read a second time. I seek leave to have the second reading speech incorporated in Hansard. Leave granted. The speech read as...
• Motions (0 speeches)
  • Australian Flag (1 speech)
    I move: That the Senate—   (a)   condemns as a form of protest the destruction or desecration on Australian soil of the Australian National Flag, the Australian...
• Committees (0 speeches)
  • Education, Employment and Workplace Relations References Committee; Reporting Date (1 speech)
    I move: That the time for the presentation of the report of the Education, Employment and Workplace Relations References Committee on higher education and skills training for agriculture and...
• Motions (0 speeches)
  • Stolen Generations (1 speech)
    On behalf of Senators Moore, Siewert and Humphries, I move: That the Senate—   (a)   recognises the 4th anniversary of the apology to the Stolen Generations on 13...
• Matters of Public Importance (0 speeches)
  • Gillard Government (14 speeches)
    A letter has been received 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 completed...
• Ministerial Statements (0 speeches)
  • Afghanistan, HMAS Success, Global Economy, Closing the Gap, Syria and Iran (3 speeches)
    (—) (): I present ministerial statements:Success
• Documents (0 speeches)
  • Tabling (2 speeches)
    Pursuant to standing orders, I present documents as listed on today's order of business at item 11, which were presented to the President, the Deputy President and Temporary Chairmen of...
• Committees (0 speeches)
  • Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade Joint Committee; Report (1 speech)
    On behalf of the Chair of the Joint Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade, I present a report on the review of the Defence Annual Report 2009-10. Ordered that the report be...
  • Public Works Committee; Report (1 speech)
    On behalf of the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Public Works, I present the 1st report of 2012: Referrals made September to October 2011.
  • Public Accounts and Audit Committee; Executive Minutes (1 speech)
    On behalf of the Joint Committee of Public Accounts and Audit, I present executive minutes received by the committee and government responses to reports of the committee.
  • Membership (2 speeches)
    Order! I have received letters from party leaders and an independent senator requesting changes in the membership of various committees.
• Bills (0 speeches)
  • Access to Justice (Federal Jurisdiction) Amendment Bill 2011, National Health Amendment (Fifth Community Pharmacy Agreement Initiatives) Bill 2012, Tax Laws Amendment (2011 Measures No. 9) Bill 2011; 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...
  • Nuclear Terrorism Legislation Amendment Bill 2011; First Reading (1 speech)
    I move: That this bill may proceed without formalities and now read a first time. Question agreed to. Bill read a first time.
  • Nuclear Terrorism Legislation Amendment Bill 2011; Second Reading (1 speech)
    I move: That this bill be now read a second time. I seek leave to have the second reading speech incorporated in Hansard. Leave granted. The speech read as follows— NUCLEAR TERRORISM...
  • Fairer Private Health Insurance Incentives Bill 2012, Fairer Private Health Insurance Incentives (Medicare Levy Surcharge) Bill 2012, Fairer Private Health Insurance Incentives (Medicare Levy Surcharge — Fringe Benefits) Bill 2012; First Reading (1 speech)
    I move: That these bills may proceed without formalities, may be taken together and be now read a first time. Question agreed to. Bills read a first time.
  • Fairer Private Health Insurance Incentives Bill 2012, Fairer Private Health Insurance Incentives (Medicare Levy Surcharge) Bill 2012, Fairer Private Health Insurance Incentives (Medicare Levy Surcharge — Fringe Benefits) Bill 2012; 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...
• Motions (0 speeches)
  • Fairer Private Health Insurance Legislation (17 speeches)
    I seek leave to move a motion in the terms circulated in the chamber relating to the Fairer Private Health Insurance Incentives package of bills. Leave not granted. Pursuant to contingent notice...
• Committees (0 speeches)
  • Report (1 speech)
    Pursuant to order and at the request of the chairs of the respective committees, I present reports on legislation from the Senate Education, Employment and Workplace Relations Legislation...
• 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 Members of Parliament (Life Gold Pass) and Other Legislation Amendment Bill 2012, allowing it to be...
• Bills (0 speeches)
  • Nuclear Terrorism Legislation Amendment Bill 2011; Second Reading (4 speeches)
    The opposition is occasionally and foolishly accused of being too negative. Many of the legislative proposals of the Gillard government are catastrophic and against the national interest. An...
  • Nuclear Terrorism Legislation Amendment Bill 2011; Third Reading (2 speeches)
    As no amendments to the bill have been circulated, I call Senator McLucas to move the third reading unless any senator requires that the bill be considered in Committee of the Whole.
• Business (0 speeches)
  • Consideration of Legislation (1 speech)
    by leave—I move: That intervening business be postponed until after consideration of the government business order of the day relating to the Members of Parliament (Life Gold Pass) and...
• Bills (0 speeches)
  • Members of Parliament (Life Gold Pass) and Other Legislation Amendment Bill 2012; Second Reading (4 speeches)
    This bill is mainly technical in nature in that it completes the process commenced with the Remuneration and Other Legislation Amendment Bill, passed in this place last year in order to grant...
  • Members of Parliament (Life Gold Pass) and Other Legislation Amendment Bill 2012; In Committee (32 speeches)
    I have some questions about the bill with respect to the decoupling of superannuation arrangements. It is understood that, in order for the pay rise recommended by the tribunal to come into...
  • Members of Parliament (Life Gold Pass) and Other Legislation Amendment Bill 2012; Third Reading (1 speech)
    I move: That this bill be now read a third time. Question agreed to. Bill read a third time.
• Business (0 speeches)
  • Rearrangement (1 speech)
    I move: That government business orders of the day nos 1 (National Radioactive Waste Management Bill 2010) and 2 (National Broadcasting Legislation Amendment Bill 2010) be postponed to the next...
• Bills (0 speeches)
  • Intellectual Property Laws Amendment (Raising the Bar) Bill 2011 [2012]; Second Reading (10 speeches)
    I rise to make a contribution to the debate on the Intellectual Property Laws Amendment (Raising the Bar) Bill 2011 [2012]. The coalition is broadly supportive of this piece of legislation, but...
  • Intellectual Property Laws Amendment (Raising the Bar) Bill 2011 [2012]; Third Reading (2 speeches)
    As no amendments to the bill have been circulated I shall call the minister to move the third reading, unless any senator requires that it be considered in committee of the whole.
• Business (0 speeches)
  • Rearrangement (1 speech)
    I move: That government business order of the day no. 4 (Cybercrime Legislation Amendment Bill 2011) be postponed till the next day of sitting. Question agreed to.
• Bills (0 speeches)
  • Extradition and Mutual Assistance in Criminal Matters Legislation Amendment Bill 2011; Second Reading (2 speeches)
    The opposition supports the Extradition and Mutual Assistance in Criminal Matters Legislation Amendment Bill 2011. Because it is increasingly common for criminal activity to have a transnational...
• Adjournment (0 speeches)
  • Centenary of Canberra (1 speech)
    Over the last several years Australia's national capital city has recognised and celebrated a series of centenary moments as we work our way towards the climax of activity on the big birthday, 12...
  • Australian Greens (21 speeches)
    I noticed during the break that Senator Brown and the Australian Greens had been waxing lyrical yet again in the media, this time wanting the government to legislate to regulate newspapers to...
  • Coal Seam Gas (4 speeches)
    I rise with the aim of raising the tone of the debate after that diatribe from Senator Macdonald and to speak on the—
  • Defence Workforce Skills and Training (2 speeches)
    In November last year I spoke on the subject of procurement, with an emphasis on skill shortages and training. I spoke of the competing demands for skilled workers coming from the mining...
• Questions on Notice (0 speeches)
  • Immigration Detention Centres (Question No. 673) (2 speeches)
    asked the Minister representing the Minister for Immigration and Citizenship, upon notice, on 30 May 2011: (1) What measures and/or procedures are in place to prevent contraband or weapons being...
  • Foreign Affairs and Trade: Mekong River (Question No. 840) (2 speeches)
    asked the Minister representing the Minister for Foreign Affairs, upon notice, on 21 July 2011: In regard to Lao People ' s Democratic Republic ' s (Laos ' ) proposed Xayaburi Dam on the...
  • Foreign Affairs and Trade (Question No. 928) (2 speeches)
    asked the Minister representing the Minister for Foreign Affairs, upon notice, on 18 August 2011: What is the accumulated sum of outstanding and written off debt from consular assistance rendered...
  • Foreign Affairs and Trade: Staffing (Question Nos 1117 and 1131) (2 speeches)
    asked the Minister representing the Minister for Foreign Affairs and the Minister for Trade, upon notice, on 12 September 2011: (1)   Have staffing numbers in agencies within the...
  • Attorney-General's, Home Affairs and Justice: Staffing (Question Nos 1127, 1136 and 1137 supplementary) (2 speeches)
    asked the Minister representing the Attorney-General, and the Minister for Home Affairs and Minister for Justice, upon notice, on 12 September 2011: (1)   Have staffing numbers in...
  • Foreign Affairs and Trade: Travel (Question No. 1245) (2 speeches)
    asked the Minister representing the Minister for Foreign Affairs, upon notice, on 22 September 2011: What was of the department's total expenditure on travel for the 2010-11 financial year, and...
  • Foreign Affairs and Trade: Hospitality (Question No. 1246) (2 speeches)
    asked the Minister representing the Minister for Foreign Affairs, upon notice, on 22 September 2011: What was the department's total expenditure on hospitality and entertainment for the 2010-11...
  • Foreign Affairs and Trade (Question No. 1247) (2 speeches)
    asked the Minister representing the Minister for Foreign Affairs, upon notice, on 22 September 2011: What was:   (a) the department's total expenditure for the 2010-11 financial year...
  • Attorney-General's: Legal Aid (Question No. 1275 supplementary) (2 speeches)
    asked the Minister representing the Attorney-General, upon notice, on 18 August 2011: With reference to the answer to question on notice no. 1011 (Senate Hansard, 11 October 2011, p. 106), how...
  • Immigration and Citizenship (Question No. 1308) (2 speeches)
    asked the Minister representing the Minister for Immigration and Citizenship, upon notice, on 31 October 2011: With reference to the answer to question BE11/0081 taken on notice during the...
  • Native Forests: Timber Exports (Question No. 1322) (2 speeches)
    asked the Minister representing the Assistant Treasurer, upon notice, on 1 November 2011: For each of the following financial years: 2005-06, 2006-07, 2007-08, 2008-09, 2009-10 and 2010-11: (1)...
  • Qantas (Question No. 1323) (2 speeches)
    asked the Minister for Tertiary Education, Skills, Science and Research, upon notice, on 2 November 2011: In regard to the decision made by Qantas on 29 October 2011 to lock out its staff and...
  • Qantas (Question No. 1325) (2 speeches)
    asked the Minister representing the Minister for Employment and Workplace Relations, upon notice, on 2 November 2011: In regard to the decision made by Qantas on 29 October 2011 to lock out its...
  • Qantas (Question No. 1328) (2 speeches)
    asked the Minister representing the Minister for Employment and Workplace Relations, upon notice, on 2 November 2011: In regard to the decision made by Qantas on 29 October 2011 to lock out its...
  • Immigration and Citizenship (Question No. 1422) (2 speeches)
    asked the Minister representing the Minister for Immigration and Citizenship, upon notice, on 4 November 2011: (1) What was the total operating expenditure for the 2010-11 financial year. (2)...
  • Employment and Workplace Relations and School Education, Early Childhood and Youth (Question Nos 1455 and 1456) (2 speeches)
    asked the Minister representing the Minister for Employment and Workplace Relations and the Minister for School Education, Early Childhood and Youth, upon notice, on 10 November 2011: In regard...
  • Housing Affordability (Question No 1458) (2 speeches)
    asked the Minister representing the Treasurer, upon notice, on 10 November 2011: With reference to the answer to question no. AET 157, taken on notice during the 2010-11 additional estimates...
  • Broadband, Communications and the Digital Economy (Question No. 1465) (2 speeches)
    asked the Minister for Broadband, Communications and the Digital Economy, upon notice, on 14 November 2011: In regard to Australia Institute's research and survey of July 2011 ('What you don't...
  • Australian Taxation Office: Information Sharing (Question No. 1468) (2 speeches)
    asked the Minister representing the Treasurer, upon notice, on 14 November 2011: (1)   What arrangements for information sharing between the Australian Taxation Office (ATO) and...
  • Immigration and Citizenship (Question No. 1470) (2 speeches)
    asked the Minister representing the Minister for Immigration and Citizenship, upon notice, on 18 November 2011: In regard to the answer to question on notice no. BE11/0577 taken on notice during...
  • National Broadband Network (Question No. 1480) (2 speeches)
    asked the Minister for Broadband, Communications and the Digital Economy, upon notice, on 25 November 2011: (1)   In regard to the National Broadband Network (NBN) rollout:...
  • Commonwealth South-West Marine Parks (Question No. 1488) (2 speeches)
    asked the Minister representing the Minister for Sustainability, Environment, Water, Population and Communities, upon notice, on 12 December 2011: In regard to the proposed Commonwealth...
  • Naltrexone (Question No. 1492) (2 speeches)
    asked the Minister representing the Minister for Health, upon notice, on 13 December 2011: In regard to the National Health and Medical Research Council report into naltrexone implants, can the...
  • Tertiary Education, Skills, Science and Research (Question No. 1493) (2 speeches)
    asked the Minister for Tertiary Education, Skills, Science and Research, upon notice, on 13 December 2011: In regard to the Australian Labor Party's National Conference, did the department...
  • Pontville Immigration Detention Centre (Question No. 1495) (2 speeches)
    asked the Minister representing the Minister for Immigration and Citizenship, upon notice, on 15 December 2011: In regard to the Pontville Immigration Detention Centre: (1)   What...
  • Attorney-General (Question No. 1497) (2 speeches)
    asked the Minister representing the Attorney-General, upon notice, on 19 December 2011: With reference to the answer provided to question no. 72 taken on notice during the 2011 12 Supplementary...
  • Defence (Question No. 1500) (2 speeches)
    asked the Minister representing the Minister for Defence, upon notice, on 16 January 2012: With reference to each review currently being conducted, or recently conducted, by the department, can a...
  • Finance and Deregulation (Question No. 1501) (2 speeches)
    asked the Minister for Finance and Deregulation, upon notice, on 16 January 2012: Can a list be provided detailing all external submarine related advisors or consultants employed by: (a) Deep...
  • Defence (Question No. 1502) (2 speeches)
    asked the Minister representing the Minister for Defence, upon notice, on 16 January 2012: With reference to the Australian Hydrographic Service: (1) What was the total number of days spent at...
  • Long Service Leave (Question No. 1504) (2 speeches)
    asked the Minister representing the Minister for Employment and Workplace Relations, upon notice, on 16 January 2012: (1) How are Long Service Leave (LSL) entitlements protected under the Fair...
  • Sport (Question No. 1505) (2 speeches)
    asked the Minister for Sport, upon notice, on 16 January 2012: (1)   Since 24 November 2007, on how many occasions has responsibility for the Sport portfolio been transferred...
  • James Price Point (Question No. 1506) (2 speeches)
    asked the Minister representing the Minister for Sustainability, Environment, Water, Population and Communities, upon notice, on 16 January 2012: With reference to the Browse Basin liquefied...
  • Employment and Workplace Relations (Question No. 1507) (2 speeches)
    asked the Minister representing the Minister for Employment and Workplace Relations, upon notice, on 16 January 2012: With reference to the review of the Fair Work Act 2009: (1) How much is each...
  • G20 Summit (Question No. 1508) (2 speeches)
    asked the Minister representing the Prime Minister, upon notice, on 16 January 2012: With reference to a text message sent by the Member for Fraser: (1)   Did the Prime Minister...
  • Australian Electoral Commission (Question No. 1510) (2 speeches)
    asked the Minister representing the Special Minister of State, upon notice, on 16 January 2012: With reference to the Australian Electoral Commission and the 2007 federal election: (1) How many...
  • Special Minister of State (Question No. 1511) (2 speeches)
    asked the Minister representing the Special Minister of State, upon notice, on 16 January 2012: With reference to the answer to question on notice no. 1202 (Senate Hansard, 2 November 2011, p....
  • Defence (Question No. 1514) (2 speeches)
    asked the Minister representing the Minister for Defence, upon notice, on 16 January 2011: (1)   Is the defence radar on Turkey Hill, Acland intended to be moved for the stage 3...
  • Queensland Floods Recovery (Question No. 1515) (2 speeches)
    asked the Minister Assisting on Queensland Floods Recovery, upon notice, on 18 January 2012: With reference to the Queensland floods recovery efforts: (1) What delegated responsibilities have the...
  • Prime Minister (Question No. 1518) (2 speeches)
    asked the Minister representing the Prime Minister, upon notice, on 19 January 2012: What have been the precise dates of the Prime Minister's: (a) weekly; and (b) ad hoc, meetings with the Leader...
  • Immigration and Citizenship (Question No. 1519) (2 speeches)
    asked the Minister representing the Minister for Immigration and Citizenship, upon notice, on 19 January 2012: With reference to remarks made by the sentencing judge on the conviction of the...
  • Emergency Alert Telephone Warning System (Question No. 1520) (2 speeches)
    asked the Minister representing the Minister for Emergency Management, upon notice, on 20 January 2012: With reference to the upgrade of the national Emergency Alert telephone warning system...
  • Pontville Immigration Detention Centre (Question No. 1521) (2 speeches)
    asked the Minister representing the Minister for Immigration and Citizenship, upon notice, on 24 January 2012: With reference to the Pontville Immigration Detention Centre: (1) Can a list be...
  • Immigration and Citizenship (Question No. 1528) (2 speeches)
    asked the Minister representing the Minister for Immigration and Citizenship, upon notice, on 2 February 2012: With reference to the answer provided to question on notice no. 1211 (Senate...