Senate debates

Tuesday, 25 June 2013

• Bills (0 speeches)
  • Banking Amendment (Unclaimed Money) Bill 2013; Second Reading (4 speeches)
    Another day and another fix to some Labor Party stuff-up. This government is the most chaotic, the most dysfunctional, the most divided, the most incompetent government in the history of the...
  • Banking Amendment (Unclaimed Money) Bill 2013; Third Reading (1 speech)
    The question now is that the remaining stages of this bill be agreed to and this bill be now passed. Question agreed to. Bill read a third time.
  • Australia Council Bill 2013, Australia Council (Consequential and Transitional Provisions) Bill 2013; Second Reading (12 speeches)
    The Australia Council Bill 2013 effects some changes to the structure of the Australia Council, our peak arts funding body, as a result of a review which was conducted by Ms Gabrielle Trainor and...
  • Australia Council Bill 2013, Australia Council (Consequential and Transitional Provisions) Bill 2013; Third Reading (1 speech)
    The question now is that the remaining stages of these bills be agreed to and these bills be now passed. Question agreed to. Bills read a third time.
• Personal Explanations (0 speeches)
  • (3 speeches)
    Mr President, I wish to make a brief personal explanation.
• Bills (0 speeches)
  • Australian Jobs Bill 2013; Second Reading (1 speech)
    I rise to contribute to the debate on the Australian Jobs Bill 2013. It is a bit incongruous that here we are in the dying sitting days of this parliament and the government decides to bring in...
• Questions without Notice (0 speeches)
  • Carbon Pricing, Mining, Asylum Seekers (10 speeches)
    My question is to the Minister representing the Prime Minister, Senator Conroy. I refer the minister to the Prime Minister's press conference of three years ago today, the day after she displaced...
  • Cost of Living (6 speeches)
    My question is to the Minister representing the Minister for Families, Community Services and Indigenous Affairs, Senator McLucas. Can the minister inform the Senate how this government is...
  • Gillard Government (25 speeches)
    My question is to the Minister representing the Prime Minister, Senator Conroy.
  • Illicit Drugs (12 speeches)
    My question is for Senator Conroy, the Minister representing the Prime Minister. I am asking this question on behalf of OurSay, an independent community organisation aiming to revitalise...
  • National Broadband Network (13 speeches)
    My question is to the Minister representing the Prime Minister and Minister for Broadband, Communications and the Digital Economy, Senator Conroy. Does the minister share the views of the member...
  • Tasmania: Forestry (6 speeches)
    My question is to the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry, Senator Ludwig. Can the minister inform the Senate how the listing of up to 170,000 hectares of Tasmania's unique forest...
  • Carbon Pricing (13 speeches)
    My question is to the Minister representing the Prime Minister. Minister, we are constantly told by the—
  • Schools (6 speeches)
    My question is to Senator Lundy, representing the Minister for School Education, Early Childhood and Youth. Are the comments today by Minister Garrett—that there are still high levels of...
  • Cattle Industry (6 speeches)
    My question is to the Minister representing the Prime Minister, Senator Conroy. I refer the minister to the serious drought crisis in the northern Australian cattle industry, which threatens the...
  • Sri Lanka (7 speeches)
    My question is to the Minister for Foreign Affairs, Senator Bob Carr. Can the minister update the Senate on the situation on the ground in Sri Lanka?
• Questions without Notice: Additional Answers (0 speeches)
  • Tasmanian Wilderness World Heritage Area (1 speech)
    For the information of the Senate, I seek leave to incorporate in Hansard additional advice on a question asked of me yesterday by Senator Milne. Leave granted. The answer read as...
• Questions without Notice: Take Note of Answers (0 speeches)
  • Cattle Industry (13 speeches)
    I move: That the Senate take note of the answer given by the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry (Senator Ludwig) to a question without notice asked by Senator Boswell today relating...
  • Illicit Drugs (1 speech)
    I move: That the Senate take note of the answer given by the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry (Senator Ludwig) to a question without notice asked by Senator Di Natale today...
• Condolences (0 speeches)
  • Baird, Corporal Cameron Stewart, MG (2 speeches)
    by leave—I move: That the Senate records its deep sorrow at the death, on 22 June 2013, of Corporal Cameron Stewart Baird, MG, while on combat operations in Afghanistan, places on record...
• Committees (0 speeches)
  • Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade References Committee; Meeting (1 speech)
    by leave—At the request of the Chair of the Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade References Committee, Senator Eggleston, I move: That the Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade References...
  • Community Affairs Legislation Committee; Reporting Date (1 speech)
    by leave—At the request of the Chair of the Community Affairs Legislation Committee, Senator Moore, I move: That the time for the presentation of the report of the Community Affairs...
• Regulations and Determinations (0 speeches)
  • Australian Charities and Not-for-profits Commission Amendment Regulation 2013 (No. 1) (4 speeches)
    At the request of Senator Collins, I move: That, in accordance with section 45.20 of the Australian Charities and Not-for-profits Commission Act 2012, the Senate approves the Australian Charities...
• Committees (0 speeches)
  • Environment and Communications References Committee; Reporting Date (1 speech)
    At the request of Senator Birmingham, I move: That the time for the presentation of the report of the Environment and Communications References Committee on extreme weather events be extended to...
• Motions (0 speeches)
  • Asbestos (4 speeches)
    At the request of Senator Singh, I move: That the Senate— (a) commends the Government for taking action to protect Australians from asbestos and continuing to lead the world in trying to...
  • Homelessness (1 speech)
    I seek leave to amend general business notice of motion No. 1292 standing in my name for today. Leave granted. I move the motion as amended: That the Senate— (a) notes that: (i) on any...
  • Gene Patents (1 speech)
    I, and also on behalf of Senators Di Natale and Heffernan, move: That the Senate— (a) notes the recent ruling by the United States Supreme Court that human genes are not eligible for patent...
• Documents (0 speeches)
  • Freedom of Information; Order for the Production of Documents (2 speeches)
    I move: That there be laid on the table, by the Minister representing the Attorney-General, no later than noon on Thursday, 27 June 2013, the report of the review into the operation of the...
• Motions (0 speeches)
  • Australian Vaccination Network (1 speech)
    I move: That the Senate— (a) notes: (i) the low vaccination rates in certain parts of Australia, and the threat this poses to the health of Australian children, and (ii) the irresponsible...
• Bills (0 speeches)
  • Commonwealth Electoral Amendment (Leaders' Debate Commission) Bill 2013; First Reading (1 speech)
    I move: That the following bill be introduced: A Bill for an Act to amend the Commonwealth Electoral Act 1918, and for related purposes. Question agreed to. I present the bill and move: That this...
  • Commonwealth Electoral Amendment (Leaders' Debate Commission) Bill 2013; Second Reading (1 speech)
    I move: That this bill be now read a second time. I seek leave to table an explanatory memorandum relating to the bill. Leave granted. I table the explanatory memorandum and seek leave to have...
• Motions (0 speeches)
  • Climate Change (2 speeches)
    I move: That the Senate notes that: (a) climate change is still the greatest moral, economic and social challenge of our time; and (b) the Coalition's Direct Action Plan, which was announced...
  • Tasmanian Wilderness World Heritage Area (2 speeches)
    I move: That the Senate— (a) welcomes the World Heritage listing of the extension to Tasmania's Wilderness World Heritage area decided at the World Heritage Committee meeting of the United...
• Bills (0 speeches)
  • Australian Jobs Bill 2013; Second Reading (15 speeches)
    Prior to question time I was making some comments in relation to the Australian Jobs Bill 2013. In my comments I did not say that the opposition are opposing this piece of legislation, but I did...
  • Australian Jobs Bill 2013; Third Reading (1 speech)
    The question now is that the remaining stages of this bill be agreed to and this bill be now passed. Question agreed to. Bill read a third time.
  • Tax Laws Amendment (2012 Measures No. 6) Bill 2012; Second Reading (7 speeches)
    Another day, another Labor Party tax bill. This is a government that has been very active in the tax space, generally because it was looking at raiding yet another part of the Australian...
  • Tax Laws Amendment (2012 Measures No. 6) Bill 2012; Third Reading (1 speech)
    The question now is that the remaining stages of this bill be agreed to and this bill be now passed. Question agreed to. Bill read a third time. Sitting suspended from 18:37 to 19:30
  • Customs Amendment (Anti-dumping Measures) Bill 2013, Customs Tariff (Anti-Dumping) Amendment Bill 2013; Second Reading (11 speeches)
    I rise to make my contribution on the Customs Amendment (Anti-dumping Measures) Bill 2013. This is the fifth instalment of antidumping legislation this government has presented. It has taken a...
  • Customs Amendment (Anti-dumping Measures) Bill 2013, Customs Tariff (Anti-Dumping) Amendment Bill 2013; Third Reading (1 speech)
    The question now is that the remaining stages of these bills be agreed to and these bills be now passed. Question agreed to. Bills read a third time.
  • Tax Laws Amendment (Countering Tax Avoidance and Multinational Profit Shifting) Bill 2013; Second Reading (5 speeches)
    Here we are. We have 20 minutes to deal with a piece of tax legislation that has massive implications for our economy, that has massive implications for our attractiveness as a destination for...
  • Tax Laws Amendment (Countering Tax Avoidance and Multinational Profit Shifting) Bill 2013; Third Reading (1 speech)
    The question now is that the remaining stages of this bill be agreed to and this bill be now passed.
  • Tax and Superannuation Laws Amendment (2013 Measures No. 1) Bill 2013, Tax and Superannuation Laws Amendment (2013 Measures No. 2) Bill 2013; Second Reading (25 speeches)
    Here we go again—another whole series of complex changes in tax and superannuation laws. The one loud and clear message from people right across Australia is that—
  • Tax and Superannuation Laws Amendment (2013 Measures No. 1) Bill 2013, Tax and Superannuation Laws Amendment (2013 Measures No. 2) Bill 2013; Third Reading (4 speeches)
    The question now is that the remaining stages of these bills be agreed to and these bills be now passed.
• Adjournment (0 speeches)
  • Schultz, Mr Alby, MP, Lawrence, Sister Madeleine, Aston, Professor Michael Antony (2 speeches)
    As this parliamentary sitting comes to a close, tonight is a night of farewells. I would like to place on the public record my appreciation and regard for the contribution to the parliament that...
  • Australian Securities and Investments Commission (3 speeches)
    No, Mr Deputy President, I was taught by the Sisters of St Joseph—
  • Climate Change (3 speeches)
    In last night's adjournment debate, I was speaking about the Climate Commission's recent report on extreme weather in Australia. Tonight I thought I might look at some of the international...
  • Leichhardt, Dr Ludwig (1 speech)
    I would like to talk to the Senate this evening about Ludwig Leichhardt. This year is the bicentenary of his birth on 23 October 2013. Ludwig Leichhardt was of course a legendary explorer and...
  • Tasmania: Show Some Respect Campaign (1 speech)
    I rise this evening to speak about a campaign launched in north-west Tasmania by the local newspaper The Advocate called 'Show Some Respect'. I have discussed this with the whips of all the...
  • Mees, Dr Paul (1 speech)
    I rise tonight to remember and to pay tribute to Dr Paul Mees, who died last week on 19 June 2013 at the age of 52. Paul was a remarkable Australian and he was also a friend of mine. As a...
  • Goods and Services Tax (1 speech)
    I would like to add a note of support to Senator Parry's adjournment speech tonight in regard to the Advocate and their Show Some Respect campaign. It is an important issue and I think Senator...
  • International Conference on Population Development (1 speech)
    As I have spoken about many times before in this place, this year is the 20th anniversary of the 1994 ICPD, the International Conference on Population and Development. We know that there is a...
  • Animal Welfare (1 speech)
    About six weeks ago in Young in New South Wales, to the west of us, the owners of an intensive piggery became aware in the middle of the night that their property had been invaded. They became...
  • Victoria: Community Engagement (1 speech)
    I rise tonight to make a few brief observations and acknowledge the tremendous work of some committed Victorians who seek to make a positive difference to the lives of others, both here within...
  • Aboriginal Land Rights and Other Legislation Amendment Bill 2013, Yunupingu, Dr M (1 speech)
    Last Thursday in this chamber, during the time in which we deal with non-controversial legislation, the Aboriginal Land Rights and Other Legislation Amendment Bill 2013 was passed. Tonight I want...
  • Bendigo Electorate: Ms Sarah Sheedy (1 speech)
    I rise today to speak about the future of the National Party and, in particular, about the Nationals' candidate for the federal seat of Bendigo, Sarah Sheedy. Sarah was preselected last weekend...
  • Vinnies CEO Sleepout, Homelessness (1 speech)
    Last Thursday I spent the night in a sleeping bag on three sheets of cardboard on the streets of Canberra with several hundred others as part of the Vinnies CEO Sleepout. This was to raise funds...
  • Great Southern Region of Western Australia (1 speech)
    I will start by reflecting on how privileged I have felt over the last fortnight to have listened to Senator Crossin's contributions. When I first came to the Senate 13 months ago, Senator...
  • Sri Lanka, Forestry (1 speech)
    The politics of Sri Lanka are becoming highly relevant in Australia. We have a clear responsibility to understand the situation of the Tamils and the response of our government. The 26-year-long...
  • Aircraft Noise (1 speech)
    I rise to speak this morning about the appalling track record of the Department of Infrastructure and Transport and Minister Albanese in their attempts to change the national framework for land...