Senate debates

Tuesday, 14 May 2013

• Parliamentary Representation (0 speeches)
  • Western Australia (1 speech)
    I inform the Senate that I have received a letter from Senator Evans resigning his place as a senator for the state of Western Australia. Pursuant to the provisions of section 21 of the...
• Committees (0 speeches)
  • Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade References Committee; Meeting (1 speech)
    by leave—At the request of Senator Eggleston, Chair of the Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade References Committee, I move: That the Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade References Committee...
  • Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade Joint Committee; Meeting (1 speech)
    by leave—At the request of Senator Furner, Chair of the Defence Subcommittee of the Joint Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade, I move: That the Joint Standing Committee...
• Business (0 speeches)
  • Rearrangement (1 speech)
    I move: That intervening business be postponed till after consideration of government business order of the day no. 12 (National apology for forced adoption). Question agreed to.
• Motions (0 speeches)
  • National Apology for Forced Adoptions (1 speech)
    I rise today to offer my profound and wholehearted support for this apology to everyone who experienced or was affected in any way by the practice of forced adoption in Australia. That includes,...
• Bills (0 speeches)
  • Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Amendment Bill 2013; First Reading (1 speech)
    I move: That this bill may proceed without formalities and be now read a first time. Question agreed to. Bill read a first time.
  • Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Amendment Bill 2013; Second Reading (16 speeches)
    I table a revised explanatory memorandum relating to the bill and I move: That this bill be now read a second time. I seek leave to have the second reading speech incorporated in Hansard. Leave...
• Ministerial Arrangements (0 speeches)
  • (1 speech)
    Mr President, I table for the information of the Senate a revised ministry list dated 25 March 2013, and I seek leave to have the document incorporated in Hansard. Leave granted. The document...
• Questions without Notice (0 speeches)
  • Carbon Pricing (10 speeches)
    My question is to the Minister for Finance and Deregulation, Senator Wong. I refer to the government's decision to link its post-2015 carbon price to the European carbon price and to the...
  • Budget (21 speeches)
    My question is to the Minister for Foreign Affairs, Senator Bob Carr. Can the minister advise the Senate on changes to the aid budget?
  • Great Barrier Reef World Heritage Area (6 speeches)
    My question is to Senator Conroy, the Minister representing the Minister for Sustainability, Environment, Water, Population and Communities. The World Heritage Committee's draft decision of a...
  • Economy (39 speeches)
    My question is to the Minister representing the Treasurer, Senator Wong. I refer the minister to the fact that Australia's gross debt currently stands at $272.8 billion, just $27 billion...
  • National Disability Insurance Scheme (6 speeches)
    My question is the Minister representing the Minister for Disability Reform, Senator McLucas. Can the minister update the Senate on some very significant Labor policy—that is, the progress...
  • Budget (10 speeches)
    My question is to the Minister representing the Treasurer, Senator Wong. Is the minister aware of reports that the Assistant Treasurer has been contacting selected businesses to brief them about...
  • Literacy and Numeracy (6 speeches)
    My question is to Senator Lundy, the Minister representing the Minister for School Education, Early Childhood and Youth. With the sixth year of NAPLAN testing happening this week, there is a...
  • Asylum Seekers (19 speeches)
    My question is to the Minister representing the Minister for Immigration and Citizenship, Senator Lundy. How many IMAs did the Gillard government originally budget for in the 2012-13 financial...
• Questions without Notice: Additional Answers (0 speeches)
  • Water (1 speech)
    I table supplementary information to a response I previously provided to a question asked by Senator Xenophon and seek leave to have the additional response incorporated into Hansard. Leave...
• Budget (0 speeches)
  • Consideration by Estimates Committees (3 speeches)
    Pursuant to standing order 74(5), and with notice given to the relevant minister's office, I ask the Minister representing the Minister for Immigration and Citizenship, Minister Lundy, for an...
• Questions without Notice: Take Note of Answers (0 speeches)
  • Budget, Carbon Pricing, Economy (9 speeches)
    I move: That the Senate take note of the answer given by the Minister for Finance and Deregulation (Senator Wong) to questions without notice asked by Opposition senators today relating to the...
  • Literacy and Numeracy (1 speech)
    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 Wright today relating to NAPLAN testing. This week we...
• Condolences (0 speeches)
  • Oldmeadow, Mr Maxwell Wilkinson, Wilson, Hon. Ian Bonython Cameron, AM (3 speeches)
    It is with deep regret that I inform the Senate of the death of two former members of the House of Representatives: on 21 March this year, the death of Maxwell Wilkinson Oldmeadow, a member of...
• Business (0 speeches)
  • Consideration of Legislation (1 speech)
    I move: That the following general business orders of the day be considered on Thursday, 16 May 2013 under the temporary order relating to the consideration of private senators' bills: No. 111...
  • Leave of Absence (1 speech)
    by leave—I move: That leave of absence be granted to Senator Cormann for 14 May 2013 for parliamentary reasons. Question agreed to.
• Committees (0 speeches)
  • Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade Legislation Committee; Reporting Date (1 speech)
    by leave—I move: That the time for the presentation of reports of the Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade Legislation Committee be extended as follows: (a) provisions of the Export Finance...
  • Rural and Regional Affairs and Transport References Committee; Meeting (1 speech)
    by leave—I move: That the Rural and Regional Affairs and Transport References Committee be authorised to hold a public meeting during the sitting of the Senate on Wednesday, 15 May 2013,...
• Business (0 speeches)
  • Rearrangement (1 speech)
    I move: That the hours of meeting for Tuesday, 14 May 2013 be from 12.30 pm to 6.30 pm and 8 pm to adjournment, and for Thursday, 16 May 2013 be from 9.30 am to 6 pm and 8 pm to adjournment, and...
• Matters of Public Importance (0 speeches)
  • Climate Change (10 speeches)
    I inform the Senate that, at 8.30 am today, Senators Fifield and Siewert each submitted a letter in accordance with standing order 75, proposing a matter of public importance. The question of...
• Documents (0 speeches)
  • Tabling (1 speech)
    I present documents listed on today's Order of Business at item 16 which were presented to the President, Deputy President and temporary chairs of committees after the Senate adjourned on 21...
• Committees (0 speeches)
  • Environment and Communications Legislation Committee, Rural and Regional Affairs and Transport References Committee, Finance and Public Administration References Committee, Finance and Public Administration Legislation Committee; Reporting Date (1 speech)
    by leave—I move: That the time for the presentation of the final reports of the: (a) Environment and Communications Legislation Committee on its inquiry into the Broadcasting Services...
  • Consideration (1 speech)
    by leave—I move: That consideration of committee reports and government responses be listed on the Notice Paper as separate orders of the day. Question agreed to.
• Documents (0 speeches)
  • Tabling (1 speech)
    I present responses to the following resolutions of the Senate: The list read as follows ACT Attorney-General (Mr Corbell) to a resolution of the Senate of 22 November 2012 concerning...
• Committees (0 speeches)
  • Cyber-Safety Committee; Report (1 speech)
    I seek leave to speak to the Joint Select Committee on Cyber Safety—second interim report—Cybersafety for seniors: a worthwhile journey. Leave granted. I move: That the Senate take...
• Documents (0 speeches)
  • National Close the Gap Day (1 speech)
    I seek leave to move a motion in relation to the response by the Chief of Staff to the Minister for Families, Community Services and Indigenous Affairs to the motion on National Close the Gap...
  • Peacekeepers (1 speech)
    by leave—I move: That the Senate take note of the response of Rear Admiral Ken Doolan, chairman of the Australian War Memorial Council, to the Senate motion of 20 March 2013 in relation to...
  • Fires and Floods (1 speech)
    by leave—I move: That the Senate take note of the response by the Victorian Minister for Police and Emergency Services and Minister for Bushfire Response, Mr Wells, on the Country Fire...
  • Container Deposit Scheme (1 speech)
    I seek leave to move a motion in relation to the response by the Premier of South Australia, Mr Weatherill. Leave granted. I move: That the Senate take note of the document. I want to comment...
• Committees (0 speeches)
  • National Capital and External Territories Committee; Report (1 speech)
    I seek leave to speak to the Joint Standing Committee on the National Capital and External Territories' Report, An estate for the future. Leave granted. I move: That the Senate take note of the...
• Documents (0 speeches)
  • Tabling (1 speech)
    On behalf of the President, I table a communique from the 18th National Schools Constitutional Convention held at Old Parliament House from 20 March to 22 March 2013.
• Committees (0 speeches)
  • Privileges Committee; Report (1 speech)
    I present the 152nd report of the Committee of Privileges entitled Possible unauthorised disclosure of the draft report of the Select Committee on Electricity Prices. Ordered that the report be...
• Budget (0 speeches)
  • Consideration by Estimates Committees (1 speech)
    I present additional information received by committees relating to estimates, as listed at item 17 on today's Order of Business.
• Committees (0 speeches)
  • Publications Joint Committee; Report (1 speech)
    On behalf of Senator Brown, I present the 24th report of the Publications Committee. Ordered that the report be adopted.
  • Regulations and Ordinances Committee; Documents (1 speech)
    On behalf of Senator Furner, I present four documents of the Standing Committee on Regulations and Ordinances, as listed at item 17 on today's Order of Business.
  • Rural and Regional Affairs and Transport References Committee; Additional Information (1 speech)
    On behalf of the Chair of the Rural and Regional Affairs Transport References Committee, Senator Heffernan, I present additional information received by the committee in its inquiry into the...
  • Community Affairs References Committee; Additional Information (1 speech)
    I present additional information received by the Community Affairs References Committee in its inquiry into Australia's domestic response to the World Health Organization's Commission on Social...
  • Membership (2 speeches)
    The President has received a letter from a party leader requesting changes to the membership of committees.
• Bills (0 speeches)
  • Superannuation Legislation Amendment (Reform of Self Managed Superannuation Funds Supervisory Levy Arrangements) Bill 2013; First Reading (1 speech)
    I move: That this bill may proceed without formalities and be now read a first time. Question agreed to. Bill read a first time.
  • Superannuation Legislation Amendment (Reform of Self Managed Superannuation Funds Supervisory Levy Arrangements) Bill 2013; 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— The Superannuation...
• Committees (0 speeches)
  • Education, Employment and Workplace Relations References Committee; Report (4 speeches)
    I present the report of the Education, Employment and Workplace Relations References Committee Teaching and learning—maximising our investment in Australian schools, together with the...
• Bills (0 speeches)
  • Tax Laws Amendment (Countering Tax Avoidance and Multinational Profit Shifting) Bill 2013; Report of Legislation Committee (1 speech)
    On behalf of the Chair of the Economics Legislation Committee, I present the committee's report on the Tax Laws Amendment (Countering Tax Avoidance and Multinational Profit Shifting) Bill 2013,...
  • Asbestos Safety and Eradication Agency Bill 2013; Report of Legislation Committee (1 speech)
    On behalf of the Chair of the Education, Employment and Workplace Relations Legislation Committee, I present the committee's report on the Asbestos Safety and Eradication Agency Bill 2013,...
  • Fair Work Amendment Bill 2013; Report of Legislation Committee (1 speech)
    On behalf of the Chair of the Education, Employment and Workplace Relations Legislation Committee, I present the committee's report on the Fair Work Amendment Bill 2013, together with the Hansard...
• Budget (0 speeches)
  • Statement and Documents (1 speech)
    I table the following documents: Budget speech 2013-14—Statement by the Treasurer (Mr Swan), dated 14 May 2013. Budget papers— No. 1—Budget strategy and outlook 2013-14. No....
  • Proposed Expenditure (1 speech)
    I table particulars of proposed and certain expenditure, and seek leave to move a motion to refer the documents to legislation committees. Leave granted. I move: That the documents be referred to...
  • Portfolio Budget Statements (2 speeches)
    I table the portfolio budget statements for 2013-14 for the Department of the Senate, the Department of the Parliamentary Budget Office and the Department of Parliamentary Services. Copies are...
• Adjournment (0 speeches)
  • Domestic Violence (1 speech)
    For many Australians, there is no place like home. Our homes provide us with security, relaxation and personal comfort. For some Australian women however home is a place of pain, humiliation and,...
  • National Apology for Forced Adoptions (1 speech)
    I rise in today's adjournment debate to add my support to the national apology for those affected by the past practices of forced adoptions. The apology was delivered on 21 March this year by...
  • Cybersecurity (1 speech)
    As Chair of the Joint Select Committee on Cyber-Safety, I often hear stories of mobile phone technology being used in a negative way. Tonight, however, I would like to speak about a new,...
  • Ready Flowers (1 speech)
    This evening I rise to give my own, personal consumer alert. I know that Minister Bradbury does this on quite a few occasions. But this was an issue that was close to home and that affected me...
  • International Conference on Population Development (1 speech)
    In 1994 the International Conference on Population Development—which we in the trade call ICPD—in Cairo was a milestone in the history of population and development, as well as in the...
  • Timor-Leste (1 speech)
    Last month, after years of interest, and in light of the recent parliamentary inquiry into Australia/Timor-Leste relations, I decided to undertake a little fact-finding mission of my own to our...
  • Institute of Public Affairs 70th Anniversary, Thatcher, Baroness Margaret (3 speeches)
    Since the Senate last met, in March, there have been two significant events that are worth reflecting on. The first of these occurred in Melbourne on Thursday 4 April, when the Institute of...
  • Chisholm Electorate (3 speeches)
    I rise tonight to express my frustration and—I have to say it—dismay at how out of touch this Labor government is with the lives of all Australians. As a Victorian senator I speak in...
  • New South Wales Labor Government (1 speech)
    On 4 February 2009 journalist Alex Mitchell wrote: NSW Primary Industries Minister Ian Macdonald is standing by the poker machine waiting to pull a jackpot for the coal mining industry. But who...
  • Malaysia (1 speech)
    I rise tonight to speak on an issue of critical importance to our region, one that has been cynically dismissed by the Australian government. On 5 May 2013 our friend and neighbour Malaysia held...
  • Discrimination (1 speech)
    I was recently asked on a Perth ABC radio program, Who are you, whether I had experienced much prejudice because of my height during my life. My height is just 52 inches. I have a cartilaginous...
  • Defence Reserves: Employer Support Payment Scheme (1 speech)
    On 6 June 2001, some five months before that year's election, the Howard government launched a Defence payment scheme that the then Minster Assisting the Minister for Defence, the Hon. Bruce...