Senate debates

Wednesday, 13 March 2013

• Business (0 speeches)
  • Consideration of Legislation (1 speech)
    I seek leave to move an amendment to the motion standing in my name. Leave granted. I amend the notice standing in my name by omitting Australian Sports Anti-Doping Authority Amendment Bill 2013...
• Bills (0 speeches)
  • Maritime Powers Bill 2012, Maritime Powers (Consequential Amendments) Bill 2012; In Committee (1 speech)
    Order! The committee is considering the Maritime Powers Bill 2012 and a related bill and amendments (1) to (4) on sheet 7348. The question is that the amendments be agreed to.
  • Maritime Powers Bill 2012, Maritime Powers (Consequential Amendments) 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 order of the day No. 2, the Veterans' Affairs Legislation Amendment Bill 2012, be postponed till a later hour of the day. Question agreed to.
• Bills (0 speeches)
  • Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry Legislation Amendment Bill (No. 1) 2012; Second Reading (9 speeches)
    I would like to make a short contribution to this debate on the Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry Legislation Amendment Bill (No. 1) 2012, which is before us today. The federal government is...
  • Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry Legislation Amendment Bill (No. 1) 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...
  • Fisheries Legislation Amendment Bill (No. 1) 2012; Second Reading (13 speeches)
    Before I start talking on the Fisheries Legislation Amendment Bill (No. 1) 2012, I find it disappointing that, after debating a piece of legislation that was supported across the chamber with...
• Matters of Public Interest (0 speeches)
  • Register of Senators' Interests (97 speeches)
    Order! It being 12.45 pm, I call on matters of public interest.
  • Minister for Foreign Affairs (26 speeches)
    I rise to draw to the attention of the Senate the conduct of a member of the Senate: Senator the Hon. Bob Carr, the Minister for Foreign Affairs. In addressing the conduct of Senator Bob Carr I...
  • Container Deposit Scheme (1 speech)
    I got in early for my speech on this matter of public interest and I have just been subjected to some of the cut and thrust of Australian politics that I heard so much about prior to coming into...
  • Sinodinos, Senator Arthur (2 speeches)
    Would it be odd if I simply forgot that I had a job? Would it be peculiar if I just misplaced the title deed to my home? Would it be rather strange if, after doing a job for over a decade, I...
• Questions without Notice (0 speeches)
  • Media (14 speeches, 1 comment)
    My question is to the Minister for Broadband, Communications and the Digital Economy, Senator Conroy, and I refer to his proposed draconian media laws outlined yesterday. Has it ever occurred to...
• Distinguished Visitors (0 speeches)
  • (1 speech)
    I draw to the attention of Honourable Senators the presence in the gallery of a parliamentary delegation of representatives from the Pacific Parliamentary Leadership Dialogue. I also acknowledge...
• Questions without Notice (0 speeches)
  • Creative Australia (9 speeches)
    My question is to the Senator Lundy, the Minister representing the Minister for the Arts. Can the minister advise the Senate on the government's exciting plan to strengthen the future of the...
  • Media Ownership (6 speeches)
    My question is to the Minister for Broadband, Communications and the Digital Economy, Senator Conroy. I refer the minister to the words of the Finkelstein report in which Mr Finkelstein wrote:...
  • Parenting Payments (11 speeches)
    My question is to the Minister for Finance and Deregulation and the Minister representing the Treasurer, Senator Wong. Noting the comments of Senator Cameron this morning, agreeing with the...
  • Media (6 speeches)
    My question is to the Minister for Broadband, Communications and the Digital Economy, Senator Conroy. Is the minister aware that if his media restrictions are imposed the Gillard government will...
  • Environment (6 speeches)
    My question is to the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry, Senator Ludwig. Can the minister outline to the Senate the Gillard government's commitment to protect vital agricultural...
  • Media (16 speeches)
    My question is to the Minister for Broadband, Communications and the Digital Economy, Senator Conroy. I refer the minister to his demand that parliament pass laws by next Thursday which impose a...
  • Agriculture (6 speeches)
    My question is to the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry, Senator Ludwig. In relation to the cost recovery of export fees from exporters, the department's website states quite...
  • Media (9 speeches)
    My question is to the Minister for Broadband, Communications and the Digital Economy, Senator Conroy. I refer the minister to the Prime Minister's comments this morning that the appointment of...
  • Zimbabwe (7 speeches)
    My question this afternoon is for the Minister for Foreign Affairs, Senator Bob Carr. I ask the minister to please update the Senate on the political situation in Zimbabwe and Australia's response.
• Questions without Notice: Take Note of Answers (0 speeches)
  • Media (15 speeches)
    I move: That the Senate take note of answers given by the Minister for Broadband, Communications and the Digital Economy (Senator Conroy) to questions without notice asked by Opposition senators...
  • Newstart (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 the Leader of the Australian Greens...
• Condolences (0 speeches)
  • Archer, Former Senator Brian Roper (4 speeches)
    It is with deep regret that I inform the Senate of the death on 10 March 2013 of Brian Roper Archer, a senator from Tasmania for the period 1975 to 1994.
• Business (0 speeches)
  • Leave of Absence (1 speech)
    I move: That leave of absence be granted for Senator Boyce for 12 March 2012, for personal reasons, and to Senator Parry for 14 March 2012, for parliamentary reasons. Question agreed to.
• Committees (0 speeches)
  • Environment and Communications Legislation Committee; Reference (1 speech)
    I, and also on behalf of Senator Xenophon, move: That the following matters be referred to the Environment and Communications Legislation Committee for inquiry and report by 30 April 2013: (a)...
• Bills (0 speeches)
  • International Organisations (Privileges and Immunities) Amendment Bill 2013, Not-for-profit Sector Freedom to Advocate Bill 2013; Second Reading (1 speech)
    I move: That these bills be now read a second time. I seek leave to have the second reading speech of the International Organisations (Privileges and Immunities) Amendment Bill 2013 incorporated...
• Business (0 speeches)
  • Consideration of Legislation (1 speech)
    I move: That, in accordance with subsection 10B(2) of the Health Insurance Act 1973, the Senate approves the Health Insurance (Extended Medicare Safety Net) Amendment Determination 2013 (No. 1)...
• Committees (0 speeches)
  • Gambling Reform Committee; Reporting Date (1 speech)
    I move: That the time for the presentation of the report of the Joint Select Committee on Gambling Reform on the Anti-Money Laundering Amendment (Gaming Machine Venues) Bill 2012 be extended to...
• Motions (0 speeches)
  • 2/40 Battalion (1 speech)
    At the request of Senator Bushby and Senator Polley, I move: That the Senate— (a) notes that, on 23 February 2013, a stone memorial to those 919 members of the 2/40th Battalion who served...
  • Container Deposit Scheme (3 speeches)
    I seek leave to amend notice of motion No. 1170 standing in my name for today relating to the Northern Territory Container Deposit Scheme. Leave granted. I move: That the Senate— (a) notes:...
  • Canberra Centenary (3 speeches)
    I ask that the motion standing in my name be taken as a formal motion. I ask also that Senator Lundy's name be added as a co-mover of that motion.
  • Uranium Exports (4 speeches)
    I seek leave to make a short statement before moving motion 1172.
• Documents (0 speeches)
  • Early Childhood Education and Care; Order for the Production of Documents (8 speeches)
    I move: That there be laid on the table no later than 28 November 2013 by the Minister representing the Minister for Early Childhood and Childcare, a report by the Productivity Commission into:...
  • Women in the Workplace (8 speeches)
    I move: That the Senate— (a) notes the Australian Council of Superannuation Investors annual audit that shows just 15.5 per cent of board positions in ASX200 companies are held by women,...
  • Environment (2 speeches)
    I move: That the Senate— (a) notes that: (i) recent independent air quality testing in Hunter suburbs near the coal rail line that leads to Newcastle Harbour revealed coal dust pollution...
  • Community Digital Radio Services (1 speech)
    I move: That the Senate— (a) notes that: (i) Australia's community broadcasters are a vital part of our media landscape and provide radio services that include specialist music, Indigenous...
• Matters of Public Importance (0 speeches)
  • Urban Planning (16 speeches)
    I inform the Senate that, at 8.30 am today, Senators Macdonald and Siewert each submitted a letter in accordance with standing order 75 proposing a matter of public importance. The question of...
• Committees (0 speeches)
  • Scrutiny of Bills Committee; Report (1 speech)
    On behalf of the chair of the committee, Senator Macdonald, I present a report and Alert Digest of the Standing Committee for the Scrutiny of Bills. Ordered that the report be printed.
  • Rural and Regional Affairs and Transport References Committee; Report (18 speeches, 2 comments)
    I present the final report of the Rural And Regional Affairs And Transport References Committee on the management of the Murray-Darling Basin together with the Hansard record of proceedings and...
  • Treaties Committee; Report (1 speech)
    I present the 132nd report of the Joint Standing Committee on Treaties, Treaties tabled on 18 September and 30 October 2012, and move: That the Senate take note of the report. Three of the...
  • Human Rights Committee; Report (1 speech)
    On behalf of the Parliamentary Joint Committee on Human Rights, I present the committee's third report of 2013 on the examination of legislation in accordance with the Human Rights (Parliamentary...
• Statements (0 speeches)
  • Guest, Mr Bryan (4 speeches)
    I seek leave to make a short statement. Leave granted. I would just like to say happy birthday, Bryan.
• Notices (0 speeches)
  • Presentation (1 speech)
    by leave—I give notice that, on the next day of sitting, I shall move: That the Senate— (a) notes that: (i) Royal Letters Patent issued by Queen Victoria on 14 March 1863 established...
• Bills (0 speeches)
  • Australian Capital Territory (Self-Government) Amendment Bill 2013, Higher Education Support Amendment (Streamlining and Other Measures) Bill 2012, Royal Commissions Amendment Bill 2013; First Reading (2 speeches)
    The President has received messages from the House of Representatives forwarding the Australian Capital Territory (Self-Government) Amendment Bill 2013, the Higher Education Support Amendment...
  • Australian Capital Territory (Self-Government) Amendment Bill 2013, Higher Education Support Amendment (Streamlining and Other Measures) Bill 2012, Royal Commissions Amendment Bill 2013; Second Reading (1 speech)
    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 read as follows— Australian...
• Committees (0 speeches)
  • Education, Employment and Workplace Relations Legislation Committee, Legal and Constitutional Affairs Legislation Committee, Community Affairs Legislation Committee; Report (1 speech)
    Pursuant to order and at the request of the chairs of the respective committees, I present reports on legislation from the Education, Employment and Workplace Relations, the Legal and...
• Bills (0 speeches)
  • Fisheries Legislation Amendment Bill (No. 1) 2012; Second Reading (7 speeches)
    I rise to speak to the Fisheries Legislation Amendment Bill (No. 1) 2012, which amends the Fisheries Management Act 1991. The fishing industry, like so many other primary industries in this...
• Adjournment (0 speeches)
  • International Women's Day (1 speech)
    I rise in tonight's adjournment debate to reflect on International Women's Day 2013 and some of the events that occurred to celebrate this important day. Of course, as senators in this chamber...
  • Bankwest (1 speech)
    I rise to talk about Bankwest. Recently we had a Senate inquiry. The public would be well aware that Bankwest was sold, in 2008, to the Commonwealth Bank for $2.1 billion. It appears to me that...
  • Education (1 speech)
    I rise to speak about something that is dear to my heart: the faith that in Australia we are willing to offer and capable of offering every one of our children—wherever they live and...
  • Fred Hollows Foundation, Sydney Coastrek (1 speech)
    In the last sitting week of the Senate on the 20th anniversary of Fred Hollows' death, I spoke about Fred Hollows' life and the work of the foundation that stands in his name. The Fred Hollows...