Senate debates

Thursday, 27 June 2013

• Ministerial Arrangements (0 speeches)
  • (3 speeches)
    by leave—For the information of senators, the following additional representable roles are added to the government senators' duties in the Senate. I advise the Senate that I am the new...
• Business (0 speeches)
  • Consideration of Legislation (1 speech)
    by leave—I move: That the following general business orders of the day be considered today under the temporary order relating to the consideration of private senators’ bills: Marine...
• Bills (0 speeches)
  • Marine Engineers Qualifications Bill 2013; First Reading (1 speech)
    I move: That the following bill be introduced: A Bill for an Act relating to maritime safety to ensure the maintenance of standards of training and certification of marine engineers. Question...
  • Marine Engineers Qualifications Bill 2013; Second Reading (15 speeches)
    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 present the explanatory memorandum. I have great pleasure...
  • Marine Engineers Qualifications Bill 2013; Third Reading (2 speeches)
    As no amendments to the bill have been circulated I shall call Senator Williams to move the third reading unless a senator requires that the bill be considered in the Committee of the whole.
  • Migration Amendment (Reinstatement of Temporary Protection Visas) Bill 2013 [No. 2]; Second Reading (5 speeches)
    This private senator's bill is the first test for the newly installed former Prime Minister, Mr Rudd, who is now, yet again, the Prime Minister of Australia. This is a test for the Prime...
• Petitions (0 speeches)
  • Native Forestry Industry (1 speech)
    by leave—I present to the Senate the following petition, from 902 citizens, which is not in conformity with the standing orders. The petition is in the same form as the native forestry...
• Notices (0 speeches)
  • Withdrawal (1 speech)
    Pursuant to notice given, I now withdraw business of the Senate notices of motion Nos 1 and 2 standing in my name for the next day of sitting. Senator Xenophon to withdraw business of the Senate...
• Committees (0 speeches)
  • Selection of Bills Committee; Report (1 speech)
    I present the eighth 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)
  • Leave of Absence (1 speech)
    by leave—I move: That leave of absence be granted to the following senators for 28 June 2013: (a) Senator Bob Carr, on account of parliamentary business; and (b) Senator Collins, for...
  • Rearrangement (1 speech)
    I move: That the order of general business for consideration of today be as follows: (a) general business order of the day no. 115 (Health Insurance Amendment (Medicare Funding for Certain Types...
• Bills (0 speeches)
  • Fair Trade (Australian Standards) Bill 2013; First Reading (1 speech)
    I move: That the following bill be introduced: A Bill for an Act to provide for certain minimum standards for products imported into Australia under a trade agreement, and for related purposes....
  • Fair Trade (Australian Standards) 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 an explanatory memorandum and I seek leave to have...
  • Copyright Legislation Amendment (Fair Go for Fair Use) Bill 2013; First Reading (1 speech)
    I move: That the following bill be introduced: A Bill for an Act to provide for the better use of, and fairer access to, copyrighted information, and for related purposes Question agreed to. I...
  • Copyright Legislation Amendment (Fair Go for Fair Use) 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 an explanatory memorandum and seek leave to have...
  • Guardian for Unaccompanied Children Bill 2013; First Reading (1 speech)
    I move: That the following bill be introduced: A Bill for an Act to establish an independent Office of Guardian for Unaccompanied Non-Citizen Children and for related purposes. Question agreed...
  • Guardian for Unaccompanied Children 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. Leave granted. I table the explanatory memorandum and seek leave to have the second reading...
• Motions (0 speeches)
  • United States: Climate Change (1 speech)
    I move: That the Senate congratulates the President of the United States of America, Barack Obama, on his speech about climate change. Question agreed to.
• Bills (0 speeches)
  • Reserve Bank Amendment (Australian Reconstruction and Development Board) Bill 2013; First Reading (1 speech)
    I move: That the following bill be introduced: A Bill for an Act to amend the Reserve Bank Act 1959, and for related purposes. Question agreed to. I present the bill and move: That this bill may...
  • Reserve Bank Amendment (Australian Reconstruction and Development Board) 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. Leave granted. I table the explanatory memorandum and seek leave to have the second reading...
• Committees (0 speeches)
  • Legal and Constitutional Affairs References Committee; Reference (1 speech)
    I move: That the following matter be referred to the Legal and Constitutional Affairs References Committee for inquiry and report by 30 September 2013: The operation and effectiveness of customs...
  • Environment and Communications References Committee (1 speech)
    At the request of Senator Conroy, I move: That the following matter be referred to the Environment and Communications References Committee for inquiry and report by 19 July 2013: All matters...
  • Cyber Safety Select Committee; Appointment (1 speech)
    I seek leave to amend government business notice of motion No. 1. Leave granted. I move the motion as amended: (1) That a select committee, to be known as the Select Committee on Cyber Safety be...
• Motions (0 speeches)
  • Carbon Pricing (2 speeches)
    At the request of Senator Birmingham, I move: That the Senate calls on the Government to bring forward urgently a bill to provide that the legislated increase in the carbon tax from 1 July 2013...
  • Convention on Biological Diversity (2 speeches)
    I move: That the Senate— (a) notes that Australia is a signatory to the Convention on Biological Diversity, confirming Australia's commitment to sustainable development through the...
  • Convention on Wetlands of International Importance (5 speeches)
    I seek leave to amend general business of motion No. 1321 standing in my name for today relating to the Ramsar convention by adding paragraph (d). Leave granted. I move the amended motion: That...
  • Infrastructure and Transport Funding: Roe Highway (2 speeches)
    I move: That the Senate— (a) notes: (i) Stage 8 of the Roe Highway:   (A) threatens the Beeliar wetlands and its regionally significant vegetation, banksia woodlands and the...
• Committees (0 speeches)
  • 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 30 June 2014: The benefits and risks of the uranium mining...
• Motions (0 speeches)
  • Myanmar (3 speeches)
    I move: That the Senate— (a) notes: (i) the ethnic and sectarian unrest in parts of Myanmar, including in the states of Rakhine, Kachin and Shan, in the Mandalay, Bago, and Yangon regions,...
  • Shale Gas (1 speech)
    I move: That the Senate— (a) notes: (i) Western Australia has the fifth largest reserve of shale gas in the world, and (ii) the Western Australian Government is providing significant...
  • Hansard Services (1 speech)
    I move: That the Senate— (a) notes: (i) the concern of Hansard editors about their trial changes which have reduced their presence in the Senate and House of Representatives chambers, and...
  • Dampier Archipelago (1 speech)
    I move: That the Senate— (a) notes that: (i) over one year ago the Australian Heritage Council found that the 30 000 year old rock art complex on the Dampier Archipelago and Burrup...
  • Sleep Health Foundation (1 speech)
    I, and also on behalf of Senators Xenophon, Smith and Di Natale, move: That the Senate— (a) notes that: (i) the Sleep Health Foundation is one of Australia's foremost authorities on sleep...
• Regulations and Determinations (0 speeches)
  • Social Security (Administration) (Vulnerable Welfare Payment Recipient) Principles 2013; Disallowance (2 speeches)
    I move: That the Social Security (Administration) (Vulnerable Welfare Payment Recipient) Principles 2013, made under subsection 123UGA(2) of the Social Security (Administration) Act 1999, be...
• Bills (0 speeches)
  • Family Assistance and Other Legislation Amendment Bill 2013; Second Reading (4 speeches)
    I rise to speak on the Family Assistance and Other Legislation Amendment Bill 2013. This bill seeks to bring in to effect the government's changes to the baby bonus announced in the Mid-Year...
  • Family Assistance and Other Legislation Amendment Bill 2013; Third Reading (1 speech)
    The question is that the remaining stages of this bill be agreed to and that this bill now be passed. Question agreed to. Bill read a third time.
  • Migration Amendment (Offshore Resources Activity) Bill 2013; Second Reading (5 speeches)
    The Migration Amendment (Offshore Resources Activity) Bill 2013, like another bill we have already debated this morning in this place, is yet another test for Mr Rudd within the first 24 hours of...
  • Migration Amendment (Offshore Resources Activity) 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.
  • Veterans' Affairs Legislation Amendment (Military Compensation Review and Other Measures) Bill 2013; Second Reading (4 speeches)
    These are most comprehensive changes to the Military Rehabilitation and Compensation Act 2004, and I just want to put it on the public record that it is an utter disgrace that this chamber has...
  • Veterans' Affairs Legislation Amendment (Military Compensation Review and Other Measures) Bill 2013; Third Reading (1 speech)
    The question now is that the remaining stages of the bill be agreed to and the bill be now passed. Question agreed to. Bill read a third time.
• Business (0 speeches)
  • Rearrangement (3 speeches)
    I move: That the sitting of the Senate be suspended till 2 pm.
• Questions without Notice (0 speeches)
  • Labor Party Leadership (13 speeches)
    My question is to the Minister representing the Prime Minister, Senator Wong—and I congratulate her again on her appointment. What policy reasons did the minister have for voting against...
  • Dental Health (11 speeches)
    My question is to the Minister representing the Minister for Health, Senator McLucas. Can the minister inform the Senate about the new dental reform package?
  • Labor Party Leadership (14 speeches)
    My question is to the Leader of the Government in the Senate, Senator Wong. Before I ask the question, might I also congratulate Senator Wong on her election. I remind the minister of her...
  • Asylum Seekers (16 speeches)
    My question is to the Minister for Foreign Affairs, Senator Carr. Minister, given your recent statements that, 'We need a tougher, more hard-edged assessment,' of people's claims for asylum, and...
  • Economy (19 speeches)
    My question is to the Minister representing the Prime Minister, Senator Wong. I refer the minister to Mr Rudd's comments last night about strong proven economic leadership. Does Mr Rudd describe...
  • Papua New Guinea: Tuberculosis, International Development Assistance (6 speeches)
    My question is to the Minister for Foreign Affairs, Senator Bob Carr. Can the minister update the Senate on Australia's approach to assisting the government of Papua New Guinea address...
  • Asylum Seekers (13 speeches)
    My question is to the Minister representing the Prime Minister, Senator Wong. I remind the minister of Mr Rudd's statement in 2009 when he said, 'As Prime Minister, I take full responsibility for...
  • Defence: Naval Vessels (6 speeches)
    My question is to the Minister representing the Minister for Defence, Senator Bob Carr. During Senate estimates in February this year, Senator Brandis ascertained from Defence officials that...
• Distinguished Visitors (0 speeches)
  • (1 speech)
    Order! I draw to the attention of honourable senators the presence in the gallery of the former senator Santo Santoro. Welcome. Honourable senators: Hear, hear!
• Questions without Notice (0 speeches)
  • Carbon Pricing (9 speeches)
    My question is to the Minister representing the Prime Minister, Senator Wong. I refer to the interview Mr Rudd had with Kerry O'Brien on the 7.30 Report on 12 May 2010 in which he blamed failure...
• Questions without Notice: Take Note of Answers (0 speeches)
  • Labor Party Leadership (10 speeches)
    I move: That the Senate take note of the answers given by the Minister for Finance and Deregulation (Senator Wong) to questions without notice asked by Senators Abetz and Brandis today relating...
  • Asylum Seekers (1 speech)
    I move: That the Senate take note of the answer given by the Minister for Foreign Affairs (Senator Bob Carr) to a question without notice asked by the Leader of the Australian Greens (Senator...
• Ministerial Statements (0 speeches)
  • Taxation (1 speech)
    I present a ministerial statement made by the Assistant Treasurer, Mr Bradbury, in the House of Representatives on 26 June 2013, entitled 'Securing a stronger, smarter and fairer tax system'.
  • Defence (2 speeches)
    I present a ministerial statement made by the Minister for Defence, Mr Stephen Smith, in the House of Representatives on 26 June 2013, entitled 'Full knowledge and concurrence on joint Defence...
• Committees (0 speeches)
  • Report (1 speech)
    I present all committee reports that are listed on today's order of business under items 8 and 10. The list read as follows— Tabling and consideration of committee reports – pursuant...
  • Government Response to Report (1 speech)
    On behalf of the President, and in accordance with the usual practice, I table a report of parliamentary committee reports to which the government has not responded within the prescribed period....
  • Broadcasting of Parliamentary Proceedings Committee; Report (1 speech)
    On behalf of the President, I present the report of the Joint Committee on the Broadcasting of Parliamentary Proceedings on general principles and standing determinations. With the concurrence of...
  • Legal and Constitutional Affairs References Committee, Environment, Communications, Information Technology and the Arts Committee; Government Response to Report (1 speech)
    I present two government responses to committee reports, as listed in item 15 on today's order of business. In accordance with the usual practice I seek leave to have the documents incorporated...
• Auditor-General's Reports (0 speeches)
  • Reports Nos 52, 53, 54 and 55 of 2012-13 (1 speech)
    In accordance with the provisions of the Auditor-General Act 1997, I present four reports of the Auditor-General as listed at on today's order of business: The list read as follows—...
• Bills (0 speeches)
  • Competition and Consumer Amendment Bill 2013; Second Reading (6 speeches)
    I rise to speak on behalf of the opposition in a somewhat truncated debate in support of the Competition and Consumer Amendment Bill 2013. The coalition are pleased to support this bill. We are...
  • Competition and Consumer Amendment Bill 2013; Third Reading (1 speech)
    The question now is that the remaining stages of this bill be agreed to and that the bill be now passed. Question agreed to. Bill read a third time.
  • Health Insurance Amendment (Medicare Funding for Certain Types of Abortion) Bill 2013; Second Reading (6 speeches)
    The central objective of the Health Insurance Amendment (Medicare Funding for Certain Types of Abortion) Bill 2013 is to remove Medicare funding for abortions which are undertaken solely for the...
  • Criminal Code Amendment (Misrepresentation of Age to a Minor) Bill 2013; Second Reading (4 speeches)
    It is with a great sense of privilege but also great sadness that I rise to speak on this bill today. It is a bill that I introduced several months ago. This is the second iteration of a bill to...
  • Charities Bill 2013, Charities (Consequential Amendments and Transitional Provisions) Bill 2013; Second Reading (6 speeches)
    I rise to speak on the Charities Bill 2013 and the Charities (Consequential Amendments and Transitional Provisions) Bill 2013. Acting Deputy President Bishop, I know that I do not need to...
  • Charities Bill 2013, Charities (Consequential Amendments and Transitional Provisions) Bill 2013; Third Reading (1 speech)
    The question now is that the remaining stages of these bills be agreed to and the bills be now passed.
  • Crimes Legislation Amendment (Law Enforcement Integrity, Vulnerable Witness Protection and Other Measures) Bill 2013; Second Reading (10 speeches)
    The Crimes Legislation Amendment (Law Enforcement Integrity, Vulnerable Witness Protection and Other Measures) Bill 2013 makes a number of technical and enabling amendments to streamline...
  • Crimes Legislation Amendment (Law Enforcement Integrity, Vulnerable Witness Protection and Other Measures) Bill 2013; Third Reading (1 speech)
    The question now is that the remaining stages of the bill be agreed to and the bill be now passed. Question agreed to. Bill read a third time.
  • Fair Work Amendment Bill 2013; Second Reading (16 speeches, 1 comment)
    The Senate is debating the latest instalment of the 400 pages of amendments to Labor's so-called perfect Fair Work laws. Remember the laws that were so good they were sacrosanct? The right...
  • Fair Work Amendment Bill 2013; Third Reading (1 speech)
    The question now is that the remaining stages of this bill be agreed to and the bill be now passed. Question agreed to. Bill read a third time.
  • Private Health Insurance Amendment (Lifetime Health Cover Loading and Other Measures) Bill 2012, Private Health Insurance Legislation Amendment (Base Premium) Bill 2013; Second Reading (21 speeches)
    I rise to speak on the Private Health Insurance Amendment (Lifetime Health Cover Loading and Other Measures) Bill 2012 and the Private Health Insurance Legislation Amendment (Base Premium) Bill...
  • Private Health Insurance Amendment (Lifetime Health Cover Loading and Other Measures) Bill 2012, Private Health Insurance Legislation Amendment (Base Premium) Bill 2013; Third Reading (2 speeches)
    The question is that the remaining stages of the Private Health Insurance Amendment (Lifetime Health Cover Loading and Other Measures) Bill 2012 be agreed to and that this bill be now passed.
• Adjournment (0 speeches)
  • Canberra Centenary (1 speech)
    Since 2008, I have been privileged to deliver no fewer than 10 adjournment speeches on various aspects of Canberra's superb centenary history. It has been, for me, quite an unforgettable journey...
  • Vaccination (1 speech)
    I rise to address an issue of vital importance to the health of the Australian community, the issue of vaccination. As a former doctor and public health professional, I find it hard to overstate...
  • North-West Tasmania (1 speech)
    On 1 March 2013, the regional daily newspaper of north-west Tasmania, The Advocate, launched its latest campaign, 'Here and Proud'. This campaign follows on from the 'Show Some Respect' campaign...
  • Prime Minister (3 speeches)
    Tonight, Australia has yet another Prime Minister who has not been elected by the people of Australia and who achieved his goal through knifing an existing Prime Minister who took the Labor Party...