Senate debates

Wednesday, 22 August 2012

• Business (0 speeches)
  • Rearrangement (1 speech)
    I move: That government business order of the day No. 2 (Social Security Legislation Amendment (Fair Incentives to Work) Bill 2012) and No. 5 Customs Amendment (Anti-dumping Improvements) Bill...
• Bills (0 speeches)
  • Health Insurance Amendment (Extended Medicare Safety Net) Bill 2012; Second Reading (6 speeches)
    I rise to speak on Health Insurance Amendment (Extended Medicare Safety Net) Bill 2012. The Extended Medicare Safety Net, established by the previous coalition government, assists thousands of...
  • Health Insurance Amendment (Extended Medicare Safety Net) Bill 2012; Third Reading (2 speeches)
    As there have been no amendments circulated, it is my intention to call the minister to move the third reading, unless any senator wishes to move into the Committee of the Whole. There being no...
  • Cybercrime Legislation Amendment Bill 2011; Second Reading (6 speeches)
    Last night I admit that I was taken unawares because Senator Mason, uncharacteristically and shockingly, did not use his full 20 minutes. That is why I was caught on the hop. I broadly support...
  • In Committee (0 speeches)
  • In Committee; Third Reading (1 speech)
    I move: That this bill be now read a third time. Bill read a third time.
  • Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Amendment (Independent Expert Scientific Committee on Coal Seam Gas and Large Coal Mining Development) Bill 2012; Second Reading (3 speeches)
    I am not sure if I have yet had the pleasure, Mr Acting Deputy President Sinodinos, of noticing you in the chair. Congratulations on your elevation to such lofty heights.
• Matters of Public Interest (0 speeches)
  • Tasmanian Economy (1 speech)
    There has been a constant in the political debates over the past few years, a constant first pushed by the Liberal Premier from Western Australia and then followed by Liberal Premiers in...
  • Member for Dobell (1 speech)
    Mr Acting Deputy President Sinodinos, I too add my congratulations as a fellow New South Wales senator on your new position as an acting deputy president. I rise today to relay to the Senate...
  • Murray-Darling Basin Plan (1 speech)
    The revised Murray-Darling Basin Plan released earlier this month cannot deliver a healthy future for the Murray-Darling Basin's rivers in New South Wales. The plan still falls short of ensuring...
  • GST Revenue (1 speech)
    I rise in today's matters of public interest debate to speak about an issue of vital importance to my home state of Tasmania, and that is the GST. Before I begin my contribution I would like to...
  • Productivity (1 speech)
    As a matter of public interest, I wish to talk about Australia's productivity—or lack of it. This is the most pressing issue facing this country. Why? Because the prosperity and wellbeing...
• Questions without Notice (0 speeches)
  • Carbon Pricing (21 speeches)
    My question is to the Minister representing the Minister for Climate Change and Energy Efficiency, Senator Wong. Is the minister aware of reports that the Anglican Church Grammar School in East...
• Distinguished Visitors (0 speeches)
  • (1 speech)
    I draw to the attention of honourable senators the presence in the chamber of a parliamentary delegation from the National Assembly of the Seychelles, led by the Speaker, the Hon. Dr Patrick...
• Questions without Notice (0 speeches)
  • Broadband (6 speeches)
    My question is to Minister for Broadband, Communications and the Digital Economy, Senator Conroy. Can the minister provide the Senate with advice on how other countries are addressing the need...
  • Carbon Pricing (42 speeches)
    My question is to the Minister representing the Minister for Climate Change and Energy Efficiency, Senator Wong. I refer the minister to her answer to my question on Monday where she said that...
  • Minerals Resource Rent Tax (21 speeches)
    My question is to the Minister representing the Treasurer, Senator Wong. Does the minister recall in March this year the Treasurer, Mr Swan, said that refunding mining companies for increases in...
  • Carbon Pricing (13 speeches)
    My question is to Senator Wong, the Minister representing the Minister for Climate Change and Energy Efficiency. Does the minister agree with the Prime Minister's advice to Victorian...
  • Forestry (8 speeches)
    My question is to the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry, Senator Ludwig. Can the minister please advise the Senate about Australia's efforts to combat the trade in illegally...
  • Economy (8 speeches)
    My question is to the Minister for Finance and Deregulation, Senator Wong. I refer the minister to the Prime Minister's speech on Monday night at the AiG annual national dinner. Is it not a fact...
  • Wind Farms (16 speeches)
    Mr President, my question is to the Minister representing the Minister for the Environment, Senator Conroy. In light of the fact that there is Commonwealth approval for the construction of the...
• Questions without Notice: Take Note of Answers (0 speeches)
  • Carbon Pricing (11 speeches)
    I move: That the Senate take note of answers given by the Minister for Finance and Deregulation (Senator Wong) to questions without notice asked by Opposition senators today. It is interesting...
  • Minerals Resource Rent Tax (1 speech)
    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 Milne today relating to the...
• Business (0 speeches)
  • Withdrawal (1 speech)
    I move: That Business of the Senate order of the day no. 20, relating to the Tax Laws Amendment (Management Investment Trust Withholding Tax) Bill 2012, be discharged from the Notice Paper....
  • Leave of Absence (1 speech)
    by leave—I move: That Senator Heffernan be granted leave of absence for today being Wednesday, 22 August 2012 for personal reasons. Question agreed to.
• Committees (0 speeches)
  • Economics References Committee; Reference (2 speeches)
    I move: That the following matter be referred to the Economics References Committee for inquiry and report by 29 October 2012: The causes of electricity bill increases and options to moderate...
  • Community Affairs Legislation Committee, Economics Legislation Committee, Education, Employment and Workplace Relations References Committee; Meeting (1 speech)
    by leave—I move: That: (a) the Community Affairs Legislation Committee be authorised to hold a private meeting otherwise than in accordance with standing order 33(1) during the sitting of...
• Motions (0 speeches)
  • James Price Point Gas Hub Precinct (8 speeches)
    I move: That the Senate calls on the Government to: (a) examine the new evidence presented by Dr Salisbury, that there are archaeologically and culturally significant but insufficiently...
  • Job Creation (3 speeches)
    At the request of Senator Bernardi, I move: That the Senate— (a) notes the Treasurer's promise in the 2011-12 Budget to create half a million new jobs over the next 2 years; and (b) calls...
  • Media (17 speeches)
    I move: That the Senate— (a) believes a free press is central to accountability and transparency in government; and (b) rejects proposals for new government-appointed arbiters of news media...
• Matters of Public Importance (0 speeches)
  • Indigenous Policy (12 speeches)
    On the last sitting day in June, as this chamber knows, the Senate passed the stronger futures legislation, a policy for which there is no substantive evidence that it will be effective, just...
• Committees (0 speeches)
  • Community Affairs References Committee; Report (6 speeches)
    I present the report of the Community Affairs References Committee on health services and medical professionals in rural areas, together with the Hansard record of proceedings and documents...
  • Parliamentary Joint Committee on Human Rights; Report (1 speech)
    On behalf of the Parliamentary Joint Committee on Human Rights, I present report No. 1 of 2012, Bills introduced 18 to 29 June 2012, and note that the report was tabled in the House of...
  • Scrutiny of Bills Committee; Report (1 speech)
    On behalf of the chair, Senator Macdonald, I present a report of the Senate Standing Committee for the Scrutiny of Bills. I also lay on the table Scrutiny of Bills Alert Digest No. 9 of 2012,...
  • Rural and Regional Affairs and Transport References Committee; Membership (1 speech)
    by leave—I move: That Senator McKenzie replace Senator Nash on the Rural and Regional Affairs and Transport References Committee for the committee’s inquiry into the management of the...
• Bills (0 speeches)
  • Crimes Legislation Amendment (Slavery, Slavery-like Conditions and People Trafficking) Bill 2012, Illegal Logging Prohibition Bill 2012, Public Service Amendment Bill 2012, Veterans' Affairs Legislation Amendment Bill 2012; First Reading (1 speech)
    These bills are being introduced together. After debate on the motion for the second reading has been adjourned, I shall move a motion to have the bills listed separately on the Notice Paper. I...
  • Crimes Legislation Amendment (Slavery, Slavery-like Conditions and People Trafficking) Bill 2012, Illegal Logging Prohibition Bill 2012, Public Service Amendment Bill 2012, Veterans' Affairs Legislation Amendment Bill 2012; Second Reading (1 speech)
    I present two revised explanatory memoranda relating to the Illegal Logging Prohibition Bill 2012 and the Public Service Amendment Bill 2012 and I move: That these bills be now read a second...
• Regulations and Determinations (0 speeches)
  • Small Pelagic Fishery Total Allowable Catch (Quota Species) Determination 2012; Disallowance (15 speeches)
    I move: That the Small Pelagic Fishery Total Allowable Catch (Quota Species) Determination 2012, made under subsection 17(6)(aa) of the Fisheries Management Act 1991 and under section 17 of the...
• Adjournment (0 speeches)
  • Tibet (1 speech)
    In the parliamentary break in July I had the extraordinary opportunity to travel to Dharamsala, the exile capital of Tibet, with my colleague Senator Waters as part of an Australia Tibet Council...
  • Hearing Awareness Week (5 speeches)
    I rise tonight to acknowledge that this week is Hearing Awareness Week.
  • Nuclear Safety (1 speech, 1 comment)
    I rise to make some brief remarks and I will commence with the news which is on the wires this afternoon that BHP Billiton has shelved its proposed expansion of what would have been the world's...
  • Miss Josie Perkins (1 speech)
    Every day in this place all of us are incredibly privileged to be at the centre of our great democracy. It is a democracy that is grounded in the power of the collective action of our citizens,...
• Questions on Notice (0 speeches)
  • Employment and Workplace Relations (Question No.1861) (2 speeches)
    asked the Minister representing the Minister for Employment and Workplace Relations, upon notice, on 18 May 2012: With reference to the Fair Work (Registered Organisations) Act 2009: (1) Is the...
  • Employment and Workplace Relations (Question No. 1915) (2 speeches)
    asked the Minister representing the Minister for Employment and Workplace Relations, upon notice, on 25 June 2012: With reference to the appointment of Mr Bernie Riordan to Fair Work Australia...
  • Employment and Workplace Relations (Question No. 1918) (2 speeches)
    asked the Minister representing the Minister for Employment and Workplace Relations, upon notice, on 25 June 2012: With reference to the decision of Senior Deputy President (SDP) Richards of Fair...
  • Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry (Question No. 1982) (2 speeches)
    asked the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry, upon notice, on 2 August 2012, with reference to the answer to Question no. 19 from the Budget Estimates hearings of the Rural and...