Senate debates
Thursday, 28 February 2013
- Bills (0 speeches)
- Committees (0 speeches)
- Selection of Bills Committee; Report (1 speech)
I present the second report of 2013 of the Selection of Bills Committee. Ordered that the report be adopted. I seek leave to have the report incorporated in Hansard. Leave granted. The report...
- Business (0 speeches)
- Rearrangement (1 speech)
I move: That: (a) government business orders of the day nos 4 to 7 be considered from 12.45 pm today under the temporary order relating to non-controversial government business; (b) government...
- Leave of Absence (1 speech)
At the request of Senator Xenophon, I move: That leave of absence be granted to Senator Xenophon for today, for personal reasons. Question agreed to.
- Committees (0 speeches)
- Legal and Constitutional Affairs References Committee; Reporting Date (1 speech)
At the request of Senator Crossin, I move: That the time for the presentation of the report of the Legal and Constitutional Affairs Legislation Committee on the provisions of the Native Title...
- Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade References Committee; Reporting Date (1 speech)
I move: That the time for the presentation of the report of the Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade References Committee on the victims of sexual and other abuse in Defence be extended to 16 May...
- Environment and Communications References Committee; Reference (1 speech)
I move: That the following matter be referred to the Environment and Communications References Committee for inquiry and report by 15 May 2013: The feasibility of a prohibition on the charging of...
- Community Affairs References Committee; Reference (1 speech)
I move: The care and management of younger and older Australians living with dementia and behavioural and psychiatric symptoms of dementia (BPSD), including: (a) the scope and adequacy of the...
- Rural and Regional Affairs and Transport References Committee; Reference (1 speech)
At the request of Senators Colbeck, Ruston, Edwards, Heffernan, Xenophon, Whish-Wilson, Madigan and McKenzie, I move: That the following matter be referred to the Rural and Regional Affairs and...
- Bills (0 speeches)
- Committees (0 speeches)
- Motions (0 speeches)
- Dental Health (1 speech)
I move: That the Senate— (a) notes that: (i) Charcot Marie Tooth disease (CMT) is the most common form of inherited motor and sensory neuropathy, (ii) there is no cure for CMT and while...
- Bills (0 speeches)
- Motions (0 speeches)
- Australian Quarantine and Inspection Service Licence System (1 speech)
At the request of Senators Ruston, Xenophon, Madigan and Milne, I move: That the Senate— (a) notes: (i) the significant increase in Australian Quarantine and Inspection Service (AQIS)...
- Military Superannuation Pensions (3 speeches)
I move: That the Senate— (a) notes That the average annual Defence Force Retirement and Death Benefits Scheme military superannuation pension in 2011-12 was $24 603; (b) condemns the...
- Coal Seam Gas (2 speeches, 1 comment)
I move: That the Senate— (a) notes that: (i) coal seam gas is a high-risk industry that poses unacceptable risks to our rivers and groundwater, agricultural lands and natural environment,...
- Defence Procurement (4 speeches)
I move: That the Senate— (a) notes that: (i) the then Prime Minister, Mr Howard, signed an agreement on 11 June 2002 with Lockheed Martin with no public consultation or competitive...
- Southern Ocean Whale Sanctuary (3 speeches)
I move: That the Senate calls on the Australian Government to seek an immediate explanation from the Government of Japan on its non compliance with the injunction of the Federal Court of...
- National Health Reform Funding (5 speeches)
I move: That the Senate— (a) condemns the reduction in National Health Reform funding to the states indicated in the Mid-year Economic and Fiscal Outlook; (b) expresses its concern over...
- Asbestos (1 speech)
I seek leave to amend general business notice of motion No. 1155 standing in my name for today. Leave granted. I move the motion as amended: That the Senate— (a) notes that Australia has...
- National Parks (1 speech)
I move: That the Senate calls on the Minister for Sustainability, Environment, Water, Population and Communities (Mr Burke) to act on his promise of August 2011 to protect national parks under...
- Budget (0 speeches)
- Consideration by Estimates Committees (1 speech)
On behalf of the respective chairs, I present additional information received by committees relating to estimates as listed at item 7 on today's Order of Business.
- Committees (0 speeches)
- Bills (0 speeches)
- Offshore Petroleum and Greenhouse Gas Storage Amendment (Compliance Measures) Bill 2012; Second Reading (3 speeches)
The coalition supports this bill. The bill amends the Offshore Petroleum and Greenhouse Gas Storage Act 2006. It strengthens the offshore petroleum regulatory regime with respect to compliance,...
- Offshore Petroleum and Greenhouse Gas Storage Amendment (Compliance Measures) 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.
- International Tax Agreements Amendment Bill 2012; Second Reading (2 speeches)
The coalition supports this bill, which amends the International Tax Agreements Act 1953 to bring into force, in Australian law, new taxation agreements with India, the Marshall Islands and...
- International Tax Agreements Amendment Bill 2012; Third Reading (2 speeches)
No amendments to the bill have been circulated. Before I call the minister to move the third reading, does any senator wish to have a committee stage on the bill to ask further questions or...
- Financial Framework Legislation Amendment Bill (No. 4) 2012; Second Reading (2 speeches)
The coalition will not oppose the Financial Framework Legislation Amendment Bill (No. 4) 2012. The bill seeks to amend five acts across three portfolios as part of an ongoing program to ensure...
- Financial Framework Legislation Amendment Bill (No. 4) 2012; Third Reading (2 speeches)
No amendments to the bill have been circulated. Before I call the minister to move the third reading, does any senator wish to have a committee stage on the bill to ask further questions or...
- Marine Safety (Domestic Commercial Vessel) National Law Amendment Bill 2013; Second Reading (2 speeches)
Basically what we have here is a correction of a drafting error. They put the word 'Commonwealth' when they should have put the word 'national regulator'. By reason of that we are technically not...
- Marine Safety (Domestic Commercial Vessel) National Law Amendment Bill 2013; Third Reading (2 speeches)
No amendments to the bill have been circulated. Before I call the minister to move the third reading, does any senator wish to have a committee stage on the bill to ask further questions or...
- Courts and Tribunals Legislation Amendment (Administration) Bill 2012; Second Reading (2 speeches)
The purpose of this bill is to change the administrative structures of the National Native Title Tribunal, the Federal Court, the Family Court and the Federal Magistrates Court. The specific...
- Courts and Tribunals Legislation Amendment (Administration) Bill 2012; Third Reading (3 speeches)
No amendments to the bill have been circulated. Before I call the minister to move the third reading, does any senator wish to have a committee stage on the bill to ask further questions or...
- Federal Circuit Court of Australia (Consequential Amendments) Bill 2013; Second Reading (2 speeches)
This bill makes amendments consequent to the passage of legislation last year to reconstitute the Federal Magistrates Court as the Federal Circuit Court of Australia. The bill updates relevant...
- Federal Circuit Court of Australia (Consequential Amendments) Bill 2013; 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...
- Protection of Cultural Objects on Loan Bill 2012; Second Reading (2 speeches)
Before I begin, can I thank the Senate for passing the legislation which has just had its third reading. We in the coalition have been trying for a very long time for this. Turning to the...
- Protection of Cultural Objects on Loan Bill 2012; Third Reading (2 speeches)
No amendments to the bill have been circulated. Before I call the minister to move the third reading, does any senator wish to have a committee stage on the bill to ask further questions or...
- Questions without Notice (0 speeches)
- Budget (12 speeches)
My question is to the Leader of the Government in the Senate. I refer to the Prime Minister's plans to visit Western Sydney and her visit to the Rooty Hill RSL on 12 August 2010 in the closing...
- Economy (10 speeches)
My question today is to the Minister for Finance and Deregulation, Senator Wong. Has the minister seen any recent international reports on the performance of the Australian economy, and how does...
- Prime Minister: Visit to Western Sydney (14 speeches)
My question is to the Minister representing the Prime Minister, Senator Conroy. Given Minister Butler's comments that he would not stay at Rooty Hill RSL because it was 'a bit too Benny Hill',...
- Asylum Seekers (14 speeches)
My question is to the Minister for Broadband, Communications and the Digital Economy, representing the Prime Minister. What is the government's attitude towards the comments of the Leader of the...
- Lyssavirus (9 speeches)
I ask a question of the Minister representing the Minister for Sustainability, Environment, Water, Population and Communities. The minister will be aware from the motion passed in the Senate...
- Queensland Floods Recovery (6 speeches)
My question is to the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry, Senator Ludwig. Can the minister outline to the Senate how the government is supporting Queensland recovery and rebuilding...
- Foreign Investment (20 speeches)
My question is to the Minister representing the Treasurer, Senator Wong. I refer the minister to a recent study of foreign investment in prime agricultural land jointly conducted by the...
- Building Materials Imports (6 speeches)
My question is to the Minister representing the Minister for Industry and Innovation, Senator Lundy. Minister, is the government aware of serious community, industry and union concerns about the...
- Australia Post (6 speeches)
My question is to the Minister for Broadband, Communications and the Digital Economy, Senator Conroy. Does the government believe that regional Australia deserves access to the same standard of...
- Motions (0 speeches)
- Asylum Seekers (1 speech)
I seek leave to move a motion relating to the vilification of refugees and asylum seekers. Leave not granted.
- Suspension of Standing Orders (15 speeches)
Pursuant to contingent notice and on behalf of Senator Milne, I move: That so much of the standing orders be suspended as would prevent Senator Milne moving a motion to provide for the...
- Questions without Notice: Take Note of Answers (0 speeches)
- Prime Minister: Visit to Western Sydney (6 speeches)
I move: That the Senate take note of the answers given by the Minister for Broadband, Communications and the Digital Economy (Senator Conroy) to questions without notice asked by the Leader of...
- Committees (0 speeches)
- Auditor-General's Reports (0 speeches)
- No. 26 of 2012-13 (1 speech)
( Senator Moore ) (): In accordance with the provisions of the Auditor-General Act 1997, I present the following report of the Auditor-General: Report No. 26 of 2012-13––Performance...
- Committees (0 speeches)
- Procedure Committee (1 speech)
I present the first report of 2013 of the Procedure Committee on the routine of business and electronic petitions and move: That the report be printed. Question agreed to. by leave—I move:...
- Notices (0 speeches)
- Presentation (1 speech)
by leave—I give notice that, on the next day of sitting, I shall move: That the Senate adopt the recommendations of the first report of 2013 of the Procedure Committee.
- Committees (0 speeches)
- Bills (0 speeches)
- Documents (0 speeches)
- Australian War Memorial (1 speech)
I rise to take note of the Australian War Memorial annual report for 2011-12. I am sure that all honourable senators who are listening tonight will be aware that since 1947 there have been 48...
- Department of Regional Australia, Regional Development and Local Government (3 speeches)
I rise to speak on document No. 8, in relation to regional Australia. As honourable senators know, I am indeed a regional Australian and am proudly a Ballarat boy. The issues for all regional...
- Australian National Preventive Health Agency (22 speeches)
I rise tonight in relation to document No. 9, this report of the Australian National Preventive Health Agency. I want to talk about a health matter tonight, and the health matter I want to talk...
- Austrade (1 speech)
I rise to take note of document No. 10, Australian Trade Commission (Austrade)—Report for 2011-12, and seek leave to continue my remarks. Leave granted; debate adjourned.
- Commonwealth Superannuation Corporation (14 speeches)
I rise to take note of document no. 16, Commonwealth Superannuation Corporation (CSC)—Report for 2011-12—Military Superannuation and Benefits Scheme (MilitarySuper), including...
- Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (4 speeches)
I note the motion that the Senate take note of the correction of the CSIRO's report for 2011—and the actual report is document 6. I want to briefly again refer to that report for the...
- Committees (0 speeches)
- Auditor-General's Reports (0 speeches)
- No. 24 of 2012-13 (7 speeches)
This is about natural disaster recovery work in Queensland and Victoria. They indicate that I was minded to speak on this issue after the performance of Senator Macdonald in his earlier...
- Report No. 25 of 2012-13 (1 speech)
I rise to speak on the Auditor-General audit report no. 25 of 2012-13Performance audit—Defence’s implementation of audit recommendations—Department of Defence; Defence Materiel...
- Adjournment (0 speeches)
- Mobile Technology (1 speech)
I rise tonight to speak about advances in mobile technologies and the benefits that they are bringing to our society. The use of mobile technologies is growing at a rapid rate. Mobile broadband...
- Polyamory Action Lobby (1 speech)
Tonight I wish to place on the record some information regarding the formation of a group lobbying for polyamorist marriage. Three weeks ago Sydney's City Hub reported on the establishment of the...
- Public Services (1 speech)
I rise this evening to talk about the public service. In my home state, Queensland, the public sector is under attack. Job cuts are putting people out of work and reducing the services upon which...
- Australian Water Holdings (1 speech)
I rise to make a statement to the Senate regarding Australian Water Holdings, AWH, and, separately, matters relating to my statement of registrable interests. I became a non-executive director of...
