Senate debates
Thursday, 22 November 2012
- Bills (0 speeches)
- Low Aromatic Fuel Bill 2012; Second Reading (24 speeches)
I am very pleased that this chamber is finally able to debate the Low Aromatic Fuel Bill 2012, because unfortunately, despite the very serious and sustained efforts to end it, petrol sniffing is...
- Business (0 speeches)
- Leave of Absence (1 speech)
by leave—I move: That leave of absence be granted to Senator Xenophon for today, on account of parliamentary business. Question agreed to.
- Senate Temporary Orders (1 speech)
I move: That government business orders of the day nos 5 to 14 be considered from 12.45 pm today under the temporary order relating to non-controversial government business. Non-controversial...
- Rearrangement (1 speech)
I move: That the order of general business for consideration today be as follows: (a) general business notice of motion no. 1049 relating to the Australian Labor Party and trade unions; and (b)...
- Consideration of Legislation (1 speech)
I move: That the following general business orders of the day be considered on Thursday, 29 November 2012 under the temporary order relating to the consideration of private senators' bills:...
- Rearrangement (1 speech)
by leave—I move: That the Renewable Energy (Electricity) Amendment (Excessive Noise from Wind Farms) Bill 2012 may be proceeded with before the Environment and Communications Legislation...
- Bills (0 speeches)
- Committees (0 speeches)
- Environment and Communications References Committee; Reporting Date (1 speech)
At the request of the Chair of the Environment and Communications References Committee, Senator Birmingham, I move: That the time for the presentation of the report of the Environment and...
- Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade References Committee; Reporting Date (1 speech)
At the request of the Chair of the Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade References Committee, Senator Eggleston, I move: That the time for the presentation of the report of the Foreign Affairs,...
- Rural and Regional Affairs and Transport References Committee; Reporting Date (1 speech)
At the request of the Chair of the Rural and Regional Affairs and Transport References Committee, Senator Heffernan, I move: That the time for the presentation of reports of the Rural and...
- Law Enforcement Committee; Meeting (1 speech)
At the request of the Deputy Chair of the Parliamentary Joint Committee on Law Enforcement, Senator Nash, I move: That the Parliamentary Joint Committee on Law Enforcement be authorised to hold a...
- Business (0 speeches)
- Withdrawal (1 speech)
I move: That the Restoring Territory Rights (Voluntary Euthanasia Legislation) Bill 2010, be discharged from the Notice Paper. Question agreed to.
- Motions (0 speeches)
- Stretton, Major General Alan, AO, CBE (1 speech)
At the request of Senators Crossin and Scullion, I move: That the Senate— (a) notes: (i) the passing of Major General Alan Stretton, AO, CBE, (ii) the outstanding work and service of Major...
- Whistleblower Legislation (1 speech)
I move: That the Senate calls on the Government to fulfil its 2007 election commitment to the Australian people by introducing a public interest disclosure bill in the first sitting week of 2013...
- Homosexuality (1 speech)
I move: That the Senate— (a) notes: (i) homosexual acts were decriminalised in Victoria in 1981 but that convictions prior to that date can still appear on a Victorian person's police...
- Endangered Species (8 speeches)
I move: That the Senate— (a) expresses deep concern about the upper Spencer Gulf population of the giant Australian cuttlefish (Sepia apama) which has catastrophically declined from a high...
- International Energy Agency (2 speeches)
I move: That the Senate— (a) notes the report by the International Energy Agency (IEA), Energy Policies of IEA Countries: Australia 2012 which concludes: (i) Australia's carbon price scheme...
- Native Title: Pilbara Region (1 speech)
I move: That the Senate calls on the Federal Government to urgently investigate the serious claims made about Fortescue Metals Group regarding its actions in relation to the Solomon mine site and...
- Middle East (11 speeches)
I seek leave to amend general business notice of motion No. 1,057, relating to the Middle East. Leave granted.
- Committees (0 speeches)
- Bills (0 speeches)
- Superannuation Laws Amendment (Capital Gains Tax Relief and Other Efficiency Measures) Bill 2012, Superannuation Auditor Registration Imposition Bill 2012; Second Reading (2 speeches)
The coalition will not oppose these bills. In fact, the coalition strongly supports the Superannuation Laws Amendment (Capital Gains Tax Relief and Other Efficiency Measures) Bill 2012 and thinks...
- Superannuation Laws Amendment (Capital Gains Tax Relief and Other Efficiency Measures) Bill 2012, Superannuation Auditor Registration Imposition Bill 2012; Third Reading (2 speeches)
No amendments to the bills have been circulated. Before I call the parliamentary secretary to move the third reading, does any senator wish to have a committee stage on the bills to ask further...
- Tax Laws Amendment (Clean Building Managed Investment Trust) Bill 2012; Second Reading (2 speeches)
The Tax Laws Amendment (Clean Building Managed Investment Trust) Bill 2012 follows on from a previous bill implementing the Gillard Labor government's budget measure to double the withholding tax...
- Tax Laws Amendment (Clean Building Managed Investment Trust) 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.
- Tax Laws Amendment (2012 Measures No. 5) Bill 2012; Second Reading (2 speeches)
The opposition is concerned that this government, based on its track record, has been very bad for Australia's productivity growth—though it is keen to maximise my productivity today. The...
- Tax Laws Amendment (2012 Measures No. 5) Bill 2012; Third Reading (2 speeches)
As no amendments to the bill have been circulated, I call the parliamentary secretary to move the third reading unless the Senate requires that the bill be considered in committee.
- Corporations Legislation Amendment (Derivative Transactions) Bill 2012; Second Reading (2 speeches)
I am back! The coalition will support the Corporations Legislation Amendment (Derivative Transactions) Bill 2012. This bill provides the legislative framework to meet Australia's G20 obligations...
- Corporations Legislation Amendment (Derivative Transactions) Bill 2012; Third Reading (2 speeches)
As no amendments to the bill have been circulated, I call the parliamentary secretary to move the third reading unless the Senate requires that the bill be considered in committee.
- Personal Liability for Corporate Fault Reform Bill 2012; Second Reading (2 speeches)
The Personal Liability for Corporate Fault Reform Bill 2012 is part of the process to introduce sensible reforms to the laws imposing liability on a director for acts or omissions of their...
- Personal Liability for Corporate Fault Reform Bill 2012; Third Reading (2 speeches)
No amendments to the bill have been circulated. Before I call the parliamentary secretary to move the third reading, does any senator wish to have a committee stage on the bill to ask further...
- Superannuation Legislation Amendment (New Zealand Arrangement) Bill 2012; Second Reading (2 speeches)
As I have told you, the government really wanted me to work hard today to make up for lost time! The Superannuation Legislation Amendment (New Zealand Arrangement) Bill 2012 enacts the...
- Superannuation Legislation Amendment (New Zealand Arrangement) Bill 2012; Third Reading (2 speeches)
No amendments to the bill have been circulated. Before I call the parliamentary secretary to move the third reading, does any senator wish to have a committee stage on the bill to ask further...
- Freedom of Information Amendment (Parliamentary Budget Office) Bill 2012; Second Reading (2 speeches)
I am delighted to rise to speak in this debate because, among other things, both this bill, the Freedom of Information (Parliamentary Budget Office) Bill 2012, and the next bill, the Judicial...
- Freedom of Information Amendment (Parliamentary Budget Office) Bill 2012; Third Reading (2 speeches)
As no amendments to the bill have been circulated, I call the minister to move the third reading unless any senator requires that the bill be considered in committee.
- Judicial Misbehaviour and Incapacity (Parliamentary Commissions) Bill 2012, Courts Legislation Amendment (Judicial Complaints) Bill 2012; Second Reading (2 speeches)
As I said at the beginning of the debate on the previous bill, this is another initiative adopted by the government in collaboration with the opposition, whereas the previous bill was in fact an...
- Judicial Misbehaviour and Incapacity (Parliamentary Commissions) Bill 2012, Courts Legislation Amendment (Judicial Complaints) Bill 2012; Third Reading (2 speeches)
As no amendments to the bills have been circulated, I call on the minister to move the third reading, unless any senator requires that the bills be considered in the committee as a whole.
- Questions without Notice (0 speeches)
- Corruption (24 speeches)
My question is to the Minister for Foreign Affairs, Senator Bob Carr. Given the minister's extensive dealings with foreign heads of government, does he agree that a head of government can create...
- Murray-Darling Basin (6 speeches)
My question is to the Minister representing the Minister for Sustainability, Environment, Water, Population and Communities, Senator Conroy. Can the minister explain to the Senate the...
- Economy (15 speeches)
Thank you, Mr President.
- Murray-Darling Basin (9 speeches)
My question is to the Minister representing the Minister for Sustainability, Environment, Water, Population and Communities, Senator Conroy. I refer to the Murray-Darling Basin Plan released by...
- Prime Minister (17 speeches)
My question is to the Minister representing the Prime Minister, Senator Evans. Is the minister aware that last night, in an interview with Tony Jones on the ABC's Lateline, his colleague Mr Bill...
- Vocational Education and Training (6 speeches)
My question is the Minister for Tertiary Education, Skills, Science and Research, Senator Evans. Can the minister advise the Senate on the importance of ensuring that everyone has the opportunity...
- Asylum Seekers (26 speeches)
My question is to Senator Lundy, the Minister representing the Minister for Immigration and Citizenship. I refer the minister to the government's announcement yesterday of the expansion of...
- Intellectual Property Rights (7 speeches)
My question is to Senator Lundy, the Minister representing the Minister for Industry and Innovation. Minister, many businesses are investing in proprietary software as part of new product...
- Questions without Notice: Additional Answers (0 speeches)
- Asylum Seekers (1 speech)
I have an answer to a question without notice asked by Senator Brandis yesterday, and I seek leave to incorporate my response. Leave granted. The answer read as follows— The Department has...
- Questions without Notice: Take Note of Answers (0 speeches)
- Asylum Seekers (9 speeches)
I move: That the Senate take note of the answer given by the Minister for Sport (Senator Lundy) to a question without notice asked by Senator Cash today relating to detention centres and asylum...
- Murray-Darling Basin (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 the Leader of...
- Committees (0 speeches)
- Bills (0 speeches)
- Committees (0 speeches)
- Membership (2 speeches)
The President has received a letter from a party leader seeking variations to the membership of a committee.
- Motions (0 speeches)
- Australian Labor Party (41 speeches)
At the request of Senator Fifield, I move: That the Senate notes the challenges for good government posed by the culture of the Australian Labor Party and its special relationship with affiliated...
- Business (0 speeches)
- Rearrangement (1 speech)
I move, on behalf of Senator Collins: That intervening business be postponed until after consideration of government business orders of the day No. 13, Access to Justice (Federal Jurisdiction)...
- Bills (0 speeches)
- Access to Justice (Federal Jurisdiction) Amendment Bill 2011; Second Reading (2 speeches)
Can I say at once that the opposition supports this bill. I will turn to the terms of the bill in a moment, but I thought I might, with the indulgence of honourable senators, take the opportunity...
- Access to Justice (Federal Jurisdiction) Amendment Bill 2011; Third Reading (2 speeches)
As no amendments to the bill have been circulated, I shall now call the minister to move the third reading, unless any senator requires that the bill be considered in the Committee of the Whole....
- National Health Security Amendment Bill 2012; Second Reading (1 speech)
I rise to speak on the National Health Security Amendment Bill 2012. This bill seeks to amend the National Health Security Act 2007 in order to tighten the regulations around the acquisition,...
- National Health Security Amendment Bill 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 the bill be considered in the Committee of the Whole. I...
- Superannuation Legislation Amendment (MySuper Core Provisions) Bill 2012; Second Reading (4 speeches)
The Superannuation Legislation Amendment (MySuper Core Provisions) Bill 2012 seeks to implement a recommendation of the Cooper review into Australia's superannuation system to introduce a new,...
- Superannuation Legislation Amendment (MySuper Core Provisions) Bill 2012; In Committee (7 speeches)
I table a supplementary explanatory memorandum relating to government amendments to be moved to this bill. I also seek leave to move government amendments (1) and (2) on sheet BG 245 together....
- Superannuation Legislation Amendment (MySuper Core Provisions) Bill 2012; Third Reading (1 speech)
(): I move: That the bill be now read a third time. Question agreed to. Bill read a third time.
- Equal Opportunity for Women in the Workplace Amendment Bill 2012; Second Reading (2 speeches)
It is a pleasure to rise to give the summing-up speech in this debate on the Equal Opportunity for Women in the Workplace Amendment Bill 2012. This is a bill which delivers a significant package...
- Equal Opportunity for Women in the Workplace Amendment Bill 2012; In Committee (43 speeches)
Minister, I turn to the minimum standards. The explanatory memorandum states that before 1 April 2014 the minister will by legislative instrument set minimum standards in relation to specified...
- Equal Opportunity for Women in the Workplace 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.
- Dental Benefits Amendment Bill 2012; Second Reading (5 speeches)
I rise to make a brief contribution to the Dental Benefits Amendment Bill 2012. This bill will implement the federal Labor government's dental health reform package. The oral health of Australian...
- Adjournment (0 speeches)
- People's Republic of China (1 speech)
'There is nothing in Australian history to compare with that China visit.' Those are not my words; they are the words of Dr Stephen Fitzgerald, Australia's pre-eminent authority on China and our...
- Joyce, Mr Matthew (1 speech)
For over three years now Matthew Joyce has been enduring a living nightmare with his family, having been firstly incarcerated and then detained in Dubai. The circumstances of this incarceration...
- Anangu Pitjantjatjara Yankunytjatjara Lands (1 speech)
I rise tonight to make another contribution about the good work that the Labor government is doing in regional Australia, and in particular regional South Australia. Earlier this month I had the...
- Education (1 speech)
I rise to speak tonight about the importance of ensuring that all Australian children have access to high-quality education that equips them with the knowledge and skills they will need for the...
