Senate debates

Wednesday, 11 December 2013

• Statement by the President (0 speeches)
  • Mandela, Mr Rolihlahla (Nelson) Dalibhunga, AC (1 speech)
    I advise honourable senators that there will be a condolence book for Nelson Mandela made available in my walkway today, and I invite senators to sign it. Out the back of the chamber, just move...
• Committees (0 speeches)
  • Environment and Communications Legislation Committee; Meeting (1 speech)
    by leave—On behalf of the Chair of the Environment and Communications Legislation Committee, Senator Williams, I move: That the Environment and Communications Legislation Committee be...
• Ministerial Statements (0 speeches)
  • Afghanistan (7 speeches)
    by leave—Over recent years successive defence ministers have reported to the parliament on Australia's commitment in Afghanistan. It is proper that the parliament and the Australian people...
• Notices (0 speeches)
  • Postponement (1 speech)
    by leave—I move: That government business notice of motion Nos 1 and 2 be postponed until a later hour. Question agreed to.
• Bills (0 speeches)
  • Climate Change Authority (Abolition) Bill 2013; Second Reading (33 speeches)
    I was speaking to this motion when the Senate adjourned last night, and I was indicating that I will be one of the few government speakers on this debate. We are trying to get this bill to a...
• Matters of Public Interest (0 speeches)
  • Road Safety Remuneration Tribunal (12 speeches)
    I rise today to speak about the Road Safety Remuneration Tribunal and the role it plays in the safety of our truckies. The mission statement of the tribunal is listed as: firstly, making road...
  • Racial Equality (1 speech)
    This summer, Australia meets the old enemy on cricket pitches across the country. At stake is the Ashes urn and Australia's sporting pride after a crushing tour of England earlier this year, and...
  • Pensions and Benefits (1 speech)
    I rise today to speak about what Christmas is like for single parents and other people trying to survive on income support, such as those who live below the poverty line on Newstart, and those on...
  • Parliamentary Processes (1 speech)
    I rise to speak on a matter of significant public interest, and that is the proper functioning of this legislative chamber. It is of particular concern to me and to senators on this side in the...
  • Mandela, Mr Rolihlahla (Nelson) Dalibhunga, AC (2 speeches)
    With the death of Nelson Mandela, South Africa has lost its father and the world has lost a leader of immense moral authority. Over more than a quarter of a century of imprisonment he became the...
• Distinguished Visitors (0 speeches)
  • (1 speech)
    Order! I draw to the attention of honourable senators the presence in the gallery of the Australian Political Exchange Council 7th Delegation from the Philippines. On behalf of all senators, I...
• Ministerial Arrangements (0 speeches)
  • (1 speech)
    They are a very lucky niece and nephew to have an aunt such as former senator Kay Patterson. I inform the Senate that Senator the Hon. Nigel Scullion, the Minister for Indigenous Affairs, will be...
• Questions without Notice (0 speeches)
  • Organ and Tissue Donation (8 speeches)
    My question is to the Assistant Minister for Health, Senator Nash. I refer to the minister's inability to answer my question yesterday about the DonateLife program, despite it being discussed at...
  • Carbon Pricing (6 speeches)
    My question is to the Leader of the Government in the Senate, Senator Abetz. Can the minister advise the Senate why the government needs to abolish the carbon tax and why it needs to abolish it...
  • Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Legal Services (14 speeches)
    My question is to the Attorney-General, Senator Brandis. I refer to Mr Abbott's pre-election promise that he would be the Prime Minister for Aboriginal affairs. Why has the government cut $42...
  • Environmental Conservation (13 speeches)
    Mr President—
  • Carbon Pricing (14 speeches)
    My question is to the Assistant Treasurer, Senator Sinodinos. Can the Assistant Treasurer advise the Senate why the coalition is seeking to remove the financial burden of the carbon tax on...
  • Automotive Industry (13 speeches)
    My question is to the Minister representing the Prime Minister. I refer to today's sad announcement by General Motors that the company intends to cease manufacturing in Australia by 2017,...
  • Budget (10 speeches)
    My question is to the minister for finance, Senator Cormann. Is it a fact that 2012-13 was the year when the former Labor government promised more than 500 times to bring the budget back into...
  • Asylum Seekers (8 speeches)
    My question is to the Minister representing the Minister for Immigration and Border Protection, Senator Cash. In recent months, the number of asylum seekers denied access to Medicare, work rights...
  • Automotive Industry (24 speeches)
    My question without notice is to Senator Abetz, representing the Prime Minister. I refer to the tragic and totally avoidable announcement by General Motors Holden today, announcing the end of...
  • Asylum Seekers (40 speeches)
    My question is to the Assistant Minister for Immigration and Border Protection, Senator Cash. Can the minister update the Senate on how the government is progressing with its commitment to...
• Questions without Notice: Take Note of Answers (0 speeches)
  • General Motors Holden (22 speeches)
    I move: That the Senate take note of the answers given by the Minister for Employment (Senator Abetz) to questions without notice asked by Senators Wong and Carr today relating to the...
  • Environmental Conservation (1 speech)
    I move: That the Senate take note of the answer given by the Minister for Finance (Senator Cormann) to a question without notice asked by Senator Waters today relating to decisions taken by the...
• Documents (0 speeches)
  • Statement of Ministerial Standards; Tabling (1 speech)
    For the information of senators, I table the government's statement of ministerial standards. This document will be made available on the website of the Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet.
• Business (0 speeches)
  • Leave of Absence (2 speeches)
    by leave—I move: That leave of absence be granted to Senator Marshall for 11 December and 12 December 2013, for personal reasons. Question agreed to.
• Committees (0 speeches)
  • Education and Employment References Committee; Reference (4 speeches)
    I seek leave to amend business of the Senate notice of motion No. 1 standing in my name for today, proposing a reference to the Education and Employment References Committee relating to the...
• Business (0 speeches)
  • Days and Hours of Meeting (8 speeches)
    I move: That— (a) if by 8 pm on Thursday, 12 December 2013, the following bills have not been finally considered: Clean Energy Finance Corporation (Abolition) Bill 2013 Climate Change...
• Committees (0 speeches)
  • Economics References Committee; Reference (1 speech)
    I move: That the following matter be referred to the Economics References Committee for inquiry and report by 26 March 2014: Ticket scalping in Australia, with particular reference to: (a) the...
  • Rural and Regional Affairs and Transport References Committee; Reference (5 speeches)
    I move: That the following matters be referred to the Rural and Regional Affairs and Transport References Committee for inquiry and report by 13 June 2014: (a) the decision of the Australian...
• Motions (0 speeches)
  • Broadcasting Senate and Committee Proceedings; Consideration of Legislation (1 speech)
    I move: That the following bill be introduced: A Bill for an Act to amend the Criminal Code Act 1995, and for related purposes. Criminal Code Amendment (Harming Australians) Bill 2013. Question...
• Bills (0 speeches)
  • Criminal Code Amendment (Harming Australians) Bill 2013; First Reading (1 speech)
    I move: That the following bill be introduced: A Bill for an Act to amend the Criminal Code Act 1995 , and for related purposes. Question agreed to. I present the bill and move: That this bill...
  • Criminal Code Amendment (Harming Australians) 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, and to have the second reading speech incorporated in Hansard. Leave...
• Motions (0 speeches)
  • Gleeson, Mr Craig and Lucas, Mr Alistair (1 speech)
    I, and also on behalf of Senators Singh, Polley, Bilyk, Brown and Thorp move: That the Senate expresses its sincere condolences to the families, friends and work colleagues of Mr Craig Gleeson...
  • Syria (1 speech)
    I, and also on behalf of Senator Rhiannon, move: That the Senate— (a) notes that: (i) the ongoing humanitarian crisis in Syria is staggering, and that according to Oxfam and CARE –...
  • Australian Broadcasting Corporation (7 speeches)
    I move: That the Senate— (a) notes: (i) the Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC) is accountable to its charter, its board and the people of Australia, (ii) editors and journalists, not...
  • Homelessness (2 speeches)
    I move: That the Senate— (a) notes that: (i) more than 100 000 Australians experience homelessness each night, (ii) the National Partnership Agreement on Homelessness (NPAH) expired in June...
  • Education Funding (1 speech)
    At the request of Senator Wright, I move: That the Senate— (a) notes: (i) the results of the 2012 Programme for International Student Assessment of students' mathematical, scientific and...
• Documents (0 speeches)
  • Asylum Seekers; Order for the Production of Documents (4 speeches)
    At the request of Senator Hanson-Young, I move: That there be laid on the table by the Minister representing the Minister for Immigration and Border Protection, no later than noon on Thursday, 12...
• Motions (0 speeches)
  • Asylum Seekers (4 speeches)
    I move: That the Senate records its deepest condolences for the families and loved ones of the three refugees, including a toddler, who tragically lost their lives at sea on a boat bound for...
• Documents (0 speeches)
  • Trade; Order for the Production of Documents (1 speech)
    At the request of Senator Wong, I move: That the Senate— (a) notes That the United States Trade Representative has undertaken to publish the full text of all free trade agreements...
• Motions (0 speeches)
  • Whaling and Illegal Fishing (6 speeches)
    I move: That the Senate calls on the Government to: (a) send a Customs vessel to the Southern Ocean now That the whaling season has commenced, as it is important that Australia has a Southern...
  • Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act (2 speeches)
    I move: That the Senate— (a) acknowledges that the Great White Shark is listed under the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (the EPBC Act) as a threatened...
  • Saudi Arabia: Migrant Workers (1 speech)
    I move: That the Senate— (a) notes the concerns of the International Organization for Migration, Human Rights Watch and Amnesty International, regarding the treatment of migrant workers in...
• Committees (0 speeches)
  • Select Committee on the Abbott Government's Commission of Audit; Appointment (1 speech)
    I move: (1) That, a select committee, to be known as the Select Committee into the Abbott Government's Commission of Audit, be established to inquire into the Commission of Audit established by...
• Motions (0 speeches)
  • Whaling (1 speech)
    by leave—I table a document relating to my motion on whaling.
• Matters of Public Importance (0 speeches)
  • Great Barrier Reef (12 speeches)
    The President has received a letter from Senator Siewert: Pursuant to standing order 75, I propose that the following matter of public importance be submitted to the Senate for discussion: 'The...
• Distinguished Visitors (0 speeches)
  • (1 speech)
    I draw honourable senators' attention to the attendance in the gallery of former senator Michael Forshaw. It is good to welcome back former senators. Honourable senators: Hear, hear!
• First Speech (0 speeches)
  • (4 speeches)
    Order! Before I call Senator Dastyari, I remind honourable senators that this is his first speech; therefore, I ask that the usual courtesies be extended to him.
• Matters of Public Importance (0 speeches)
  • Great Barrier Reef (2 speeches)
    I find it a privilege to be able to speak on this matter of public importance today about the decision on Abbot Point. As a Queenslander, it gives me great pride to be in a position to make some...
• Committees (0 speeches)
  • Legislation Committees; Report (1 speech)
    Pursuant to order and at the request of the chairs of the respective committees, I present reports on the examination of annual reports tabled by 30 April 2013. Ordered that the reports be printed.
  • Education and Employment Legislation Committee, Finance and Public Administration Legislation Committee; Report (1 speech)
    At the request of the chairs of the respective committees, I present reports on legislation from the Education and Employment Legislation Committee and the Finance and Public Administration...
  • Scrutiny of Bills Committee; Alert Digest (1 speech)
    I present an Alert Digest of the Senate Standing Committee for the Scrutiny of Bills and an additional submission relating to the committee's inquiry into the future direction and role of the...
  • Environment and Communications Legislation Committee; Additional Information (1 speech)
    On behalf of Senator Williams, I present additional information received by the Environment and Communications Legislation Committee in its inquiry into the provisions of the Clean Energy...
  • Regulations and Ordinances Committee; Delegated Legislation Monitor (1 speech)
    On behalf of Senator Edwards, I present Delegated Legislation Monitor No. 9 of 2013 of the Senate Standing Committee on Regulations and Ordinances, together with the report on the work of the...
  • Education and Employment Legislation Committee, Education and Employment References Committee; Additional Information (1 speech)
    On behalf of the Senate Education and Employment Legislation Committee and the Senate Education and Employment References Committee, I present additional information received by the committees on...
  • Environment and Communications Legislation Committee; Report (1 speech)
    On behalf of the chair of the Senate Environment and Communications Legislation Committee, Senator Williams, I present an interim report of the committee on Australia Post. Ordered that the...
  • Environment and Communications Legislation Committee; Reporting Date (1 speech)
    I move: That the time for the presentation of the report of the Senate Environment and Communications Legislation Committee on Australia Post be extended to 31 March 2014. Question agreed to.
  • Environment and Communications Legislation Committee; Report (1 speech)
    I move: That the Senate take note of the report. I seek leave to continue my remarks later. Leave granted; debate adjourned.
  • Government Response to Report (1 speech)
    I present the government's response to the President's report of 27 June 2013 on outstanding government responses to parliamentary committee reports. I seek leave to incorporate the document in...
• Statement by the President (0 speeches)
  • Pacific Parliamentary Partnerships (1 speech)
    I present the Presiding Officers' statement on Pacific Parliamentary Partnerships, the first of what is intended to be an annual statement to the parliament.
• Parliamentary Representation (0 speeches)
  • Election Petition (1 speech)
    For the information of senators, I present an election petition of the Court of Disputed Returns in respect of the election of senators for the state of Western Australia.
• Delegation Reports (0 speeches)
  • Australian Parliamentary Delegation to the 129th Inter-Parliamentary Union Assembly (1 speech)
    I present the report of the Australian parliamentary delegation to the 129th Inter-Parliamentary Union Assembly in Geneva, Switzerland, which took place from 6 October to 10 October 2013.
• Auditor-General's Reports (0 speeches)
  • Report No. 10 of 2013-14 (1 speech)
    In accordance with the provisions of the Auditor-General Act 1997, I present the following report of the Auditor-General: Report No. 10 of 2013-14: Performance Audit: Torres Strait Regional...
• Committees (0 speeches)
  • Membership (1 speech)
    I seek leave to move a motion to vary the membership of committees. Leave granted. I move: That senators be discharged from and appointed to committees in accordance with the document circulated...
• Bills (0 speeches)
  • Environment Legislation Amendment Bill 2013, Infrastructure Australia Amendment Bill 2013, Migration Amendment (Regaining Control Over Australia's Protection Obligations) Bill 2013; First Reading (1 speech)
    I indicate to the Senate that these bills are being introduced together. After debate on the motion for the second reading has been adjourned, I will be moving a motion to have the bills listed...
  • Environment Legislation Amendment Bill 2013, Infrastructure Australia Amendment Bill 2013, Migration Amendment (Regaining Control Over Australia's Protection Obligations) Bill 2013; Second Reading (1 speech)
    I present a revised explanatory memoranda relating to the Environment Legislation Amendment Bill 2013 and I move: That these bills be now read a second time. I seek leave to have the second...
• Motions (0 speeches)
  • National Library of Australia (1 speech)
    I seek leave to move a motion to appoint a senator to the Council of the National Library of Australia. Leave granted. I move: That in accordance with the provisions of the National Library Act...
  • Residential Care Subsidy Amendment (Workforce Supplement) Principle 2013, Aged Care Subsidies Amendment (Workforce Supplement) Determination 2013 (10 speeches)
    I seek leave to move business of the Senate notices of motions 4 and 5 together. Leave granted. I move: That the Residential Care Subsidy Amendment (Workforce Supplement) Principle 2013, made...
• Adjournment (0 speeches)
  • Fitz-Nead, Ms Joan, AM (1 speech)
    I would like to take a few minutes tonight to talk about a very important ceremony that I attended a couple of weeks ago for a very dear friend of mine. I have actually spoken in the Senate about...
  • Alcohol Abuse (1 speech)
    I rise today to talk about the appalling levels of domestic violence in the Northern Territory and the clear links to alcohol. Let me state for the record that I do support the responsible use of...
  • Murray-Darling Basin (9 speeches)
    I rise very briefly tonight to speak on something that occurred today in the other chamber, where proud coalition members from Murray-Darling Basin communities moved and second motions that...
  • Federal Election (7 speeches)
    Mr President, during my contribution I will have to bear that in mind as well.