Senate debates

Thursday, 6 March 2014

• 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 Stephens, I move: That the Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade References...
• Bills (0 speeches)
  • Landholders' Right to Refuse (Gas and Coal) Bill 2013; Second Reading (19 speeches)
    I rise to speak to the Greens bill the Landholders' Right to Refuse (Gas and Coal) Bill 2013. As people well know, because this bill has been on foot for quite a while—it was on foot in the...
• Petitions (0 speeches)
  • Atypical Hemolytic-Uremic Syndrome: Life Saving Drugs Program (1 speech)
    I seek leave to make a statement on behalf of Senator Barry O'Sullivan. Leave granted. I seek the indulgence of the Senate chamber, because Senator O'Sullivan has not made his first speech yet....
  • Kangaroo Island: Proposed Seismic Testing (1 speech)
    I am proud to speak today on the petition to protect Kangaroo Island. It contains the signatures, obtained in just a few short weeks, of 1,180 people who want to see beautiful Kangaroo Island,...
• Notices (0 speeches)
  • Withdrawal (1 speech)
    On behalf of the chair of the Standing Committee on Regulations and Ordinances, Senator Edwards, pursuant to notice given on 5 March 2014, I withdraw business of the Senate notices of motion Nos...
• Committees (0 speeches)
  • Selection of Bills Committee; Report (23 speeches)
    I present the second report for 2014 of the Selection of Bills Committee. I seek leave to have the report incorporated in Hansard. Leave granted. The report read as follows— SELECTION OF...
• Business (0 speeches)
  • Rearrangement (3 speeches)
    I move: That— (a) government business orders of the day as shown in the list circulated in the chamber be considered from 12.45 pm today; and (b) government business be called on after...
  • Leave of Absence (1 speech)
    by leave—I move: That leave of absence be granted for today, 6 March 2014, to Senator Pratt for electorate reasons and to Senator Wong for personal reasons. Question agreed to.
• Motions (0 speeches)
  • Lock the Gate Alliance (5 speeches)
    I move: That the Senate— (a) notes: (i) the serious concern shared by communities and experts across Australia about the significant risks coal and gas developments pose to our communities,...
• Committees (0 speeches)
  • Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade References Committee; Reference (1 speech)
    I seek leave to amend general business notice of motion No. 5 standing in my name by omitting '14 May' and substituting '24 June'. Leave granted. I move the motion as amended: That the following...
  • Rural and Regional Affairs and Transport References Committee; Reference (8 speeches)
    I move: (1) That the following matter be referred to the Rural and Regional Affairs and Transport References Committee for inquiry and report by 27 March 2014: The Committee must consider what...
  • Consideration of Legislation (1 speech)
    I move: That the provisions of paragraphs (5) to (8) of standing order 111 not apply to various bills, as set out in the list circulated in the chamber, allowing them to be considered during this...
  • Australian Federal Police (4 speeches)
    Before moving this motion I wish to inform the chamber that Senator Ludlam's name has been added to the motion. I move: That the following matter be referred to the Legal and Constitutional...
• Bills (0 speeches)
  • Social Security Amendment (Caring for People on Newstart) Bill 2014; 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— SOCIAL SECURITY...
• Notices (0 speeches)
  • Qantas; Withdrawal (1 speech)
    On behalf of myself and Senator Rhiannon I withdraw notice of motion No. 3.
• Bills (0 speeches)
  • Flags Amendment Bill 2014; First Reading (1 speech)
    I move: That the following bill be introduced: A Bill for an Act to amend the Flags Act 1953 and for related purposes. Question agreed to. On behalf of myself and Senator Madigan I present the...
  • Flags Amendment Bill 2014; 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 the...
  • Governor-General Amendment (Salary) Bill 2014; Second Reading (1 speech)
    In commending the bill to the chamber I would like to congratulate General Cosgrove on his appointment and reiterate the Prime Minister's words—namely, that he cannot think of a finer or...
  • Governor-General Amendment (Salary) Bill 2014; Third Reading (1 speech)
    I move: That this bill be now read a third time. Question agreed to. Bill read a third time.
  • Primary Industries (Excise) Levies Amendment (Dairy Produce) Bill 2014; Second Reading (1 speech)
    I commend the bill to the Senate. Question agreed to. Bill read a second time.
  • Primary Industries (Excise) Levies Amendment (Dairy Produce) Bill 2014; Third Reading (1 speech)
    I move: That this bill be now read a third time. Question agreed to. Bill read a third time.
  • Excise Tariff Amendment (Tobacco) Bill 2014, Customs Tariff Amendment (Tobacco) Bill 2014; Second Reading (1 speech)
    I commend the bill to the Senate. Question agreed to. Bills read a second time.
  • Excise Tariff Amendment (Tobacco) Bill 2014, Customs Tariff Amendment (Tobacco) Bill 2014; Third Reading (1 speech)
    I move: That these bills be now read a third time. Question agreed to. Bills read a third time.
  • Tax and Superannuation Laws Amendment (2014 Measures No. 1) Bill 2014; Second Reading (1 speech)
    I thank senators for the brevity and precision of their contributions, and I commend the bill to the Senate. Question agreed to. Bill read a second time.
  • Tax and Superannuation Laws Amendment (2014 Measures No. 1) Bill 2014; Third Reading (1 speech)
    I move: That this bill be now read a third time. Question agreed to. Bill read a third time.
• Regulations and Determinations (0 speeches)
  • Disallowance of the Civil Aviation Order 48.1 Instrument 2013; Disallowance (5 speeches)
    I move: That the Civil Aviation Order 48.1 Instrument 2013, made under subregulations 5(1), 5.55(1) and 215(3), and regulation 210A of the Civil Aviation Regulations 1988, subregulation 11.068(1)...
  • Clean Energy Auction Revocation Determination 2014; Disallowance (7 speeches)
    I began last night by pointing out that the auctions that this regulation will disallow are a critical part of the implementation of the clean energy package as is legislated and is the law in...
• Questions without Notice (0 speeches)
  • Qantas (19 speeches)
    My question is to the minister representing the Minister for Infrastructure and Regional Development. I refer to the Deputy Prime Minister's 2009 demand that any changes to Qantas's foreign...
  • Asylum Seekers (9 speeches)
    My question is to the Assistant Minister for Immigration and Border Protection, Senator Cash. I refer to the reported statement by former Prime Minister Rudd that: … the number of folks...
  • Renewable Energy (6 speeches)
    My question is to the Minister representing the Minister for Health, Senator Nash. Minister, in my home state of Victoria residents impacted by the Toora, Waubra, Cape Bridgewater and Macarthur...
  • Fishing Industry (12 speeches)
    My question is to the minister representing the Prime Minister, Senator Abetz. What policy or plans does this government have for the permanent ban on supertrawlers in Australian waters?
  • Machado–Joseph Disease (6 speeches)
    My question is to the Minister for Indigenous Affairs, Senator Scullion. Can the minister inform the Senate how the government is honouring the minister's commitment to support people with...
  • Australian Water Holdings (21 speeches)
    My question is to the Assistant Treasurer, Senator Sinodinos. I refer the Assistant Treasurer to his previous answers concerning his dealings with Australian Water Holdings. Is the Assistant...
  • Drought (11 speeches)
    My question is to the Minister for Human Services, Senator Payne. Can the minister please advise the Senate how the government and, more specifically, her department are supporting drought...
  • Economic Competitiveness (8 speeches)
    My question is to the Leader of the Government in the Senate, Senator Abetz, representing the Minister for Agriculture. Recently I met with a group of some 40 wine grape growers from the...
  • Building Multicultural Communities Grants Program (27 speeches)
    My question is to the Assistant Minister for Social Services, Senator Fifield. I refer the minister to his government's most recent Mid-Year Economic and Fiscal Outlook, MYEFO. Can the minister...
  • Future of Financial Advice (29 speeches)
    ) ( ): Is the Assistant Treasurer aware of incorrect claims that the government's Future of Financial Advice reforms wind back consumer protections? Can the Assistant Treasurer advise—
• Questions without Notice: Additional Answers (0 speeches)
  • Assistant Minister for Health (1 speech)
    Senator Wong asked me a question on Tuesday, 4 March 2014 which I took on notice. I would like to provide the Senate with the answer. Senator Wong's question regarded the timing of a phone call...
• Questions without Notice: Take Note of Answers (0 speeches)
  • Answers to Questions (10 speeches)
    I move: That the Senate take note of the answers given by ministers to all questions without notice asked today. In particular I rise to take note of the answer to a question about Qantas given...
• Bills (0 speeches)
  • Qantas Sale Amendment Bill 2014; 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.
  • Qantas Sale Amendment Bill 2014; 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— QANTAS SALE AMENDMENT...
• Ministerial Statements (0 speeches)
  • International Women's Day (1 speech)
    Mr Deputy President, I table a ministerial statement on International Women's Day and seek leave to incorporate the statement in Hansard. Leave granted. The statement read as follows—...
• Committees (0 speeches)
  • Joint Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade, Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade References Committee; Government Response to Report (1 speech)
    I present two government responses to committee reports as listed on today's Order of Business. In accordance with the usual practice, I seek leave to incorporate the documents in Hansard. Leave...
• Auditor-General's Reports (0 speeches)
  • Report No. 22 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. 22 of 2013-14: Performance audit—Air Warfare Destroyer...
• Committees (0 speeches)
  • Public Works Committee, Joint Select Committee on Defence Forces Retirement Benefits Legislation; Report (1 speech)
    I present reports on access to documents of the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Public Works and the Joint Select Committee on Defence Forces Retirement Benefits Legislation.
• Budget (0 speeches)
  • Consideration by Estimates Committees (1 speech)
    I present additional information received by the Finance and Public Administration Legislation Committee and the Legal and Constitutional Affairs Legislation Committee relating to estimates.
• Committees (0 speeches)
  • Legal and Constitutional Affairs References Committee; Report (4 speeches)
    I present the report on a claim of public interest immunity raised over documents, together with the Hansard record of proceedings and documents presented to the committee. Ordered that the...
  • Community Affairs References Committee, Economics Legislation Committee, Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade Legislation Committee, Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade References Committee, National Broadband Network - Select Committee, Rural and Regional Affairs and Transport References Committee; Membership (1 speech)
    I seek leave to move a motion to vary the membership of committees. Leave granted. I move: Community Affairs References Committee— Discharged—Senator Urquhart Appointed—Senator...
• Motions (0 speeches)
  • Shipbuilding Industry (26 speeches)
    On behalf of Senator Carr, I move: That the Senate— (a) recognises: (i) the vital contribution of the Australian shipbuilding industry as an employer, a storehouse of advanced manufacturing...
• Documents (0 speeches)
  • Australia Post (1 speech)
    The report of the Australian Postal Corporation, Australia Post, for 2012-13 includes a statement of corporate intent 2013-14 to 2016-17. Australia Post is a fine Australian establishment that...
  • Australian Electoral Commission (2 speeches)
    The Australian Electoral Commission report for 2012-13 covers the financial year immediately before the federal election in September 2013. The result of that election is well known, but this...
  • Productivity Commission (1 speech)
    I move: That the Senate take note of the document. I take note of Productivity Commission report No. 64, Safeguards inquiry into the import of processed fruit products. I think anyone who has...
  • Director of National Parks (2 speeches)
    I move: That the Senate take note of the document. Retiring Director of National Parks Peter Cochrane stated in the opening pages of his report for 2012-13 that he, and obviously the Australian...
  • Australian Public Service Commission (1 speech)
    I move: That the Senate take note of the document. I must say that for as long as I have been in parliament I have been mightily impressed by the Public Service in this country. And I do accept...
  • Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act (3 speeches)
    I move: That the Senate take note of the document. Mr Deputy President: He hails from Snowy River, up by Kosciusko's side, Where the hills are twice as steep and twice as rough, Where a horse's...
• Adjournment (0 speeches)
  • Tasmanian Election (1 speech)
    I rise this evening to address this house on the urgent need for a change of policy approach in Tasmania, a change that can only be delivered if the people of Tasmania vote for a change of...
  • Northern Territory: Cost of Living (1 speech)
    I rise tonight to talk about the enormous pressure so many families are currently under due to the staggering increases in the cost of living in the Northern Territory. I know the cost of living...
  • Tasmania: Economy (1 speech)
    Sadly, after nearly 30 years in Tasmania, the state Liberal and Labor parties still both share the same single, tired vision for the future of jobs and prosperity in Tasmania—a price-taking...
  • Water (1 speech)
    World Water Week will be celebrated this year from 17 to 21 March, culminating in World Water Day on 21 March. It will be used by WaterAid Australia for its major fundraiser for the year, Walk 4...