Senate debates

Monday, 16 June 2014

• Committees (0 speeches)
  • Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Affairs Committee; Meeting (1 speech)
    by leave—I move: That the Joint Select Committee on Constitutional Recognition of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples be authorised to hold a private meeting otherwise and in...
• Bills (0 speeches)
  • Social Security Legislation Amendment (Increased Employment Participation) Bill 2014; In Committee (8 speeches)
    The Senate is considering the Social Security Legislation Amendment (Increased Employment Participation) Bill 2014.
  • Social Security Legislation Amendment (Increased Employment Participation) 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.
• Committees (0 speeches)
  • Economics Legislation Committee; Report (1 speech)
    On behalf of Senator Bushby, I present the report of the Senate Economics Legislation Committee on the provisions of the Tax Laws Amendment (Temporary Budget Repair Levy) Bill 2014 and related...
• Bills (0 speeches)
  • Tax Laws Amendment (Temporary Budget Repair Levy) Bill 2014, Income Tax Rates Amendment (Temporary Budget Repair Levy) Bill 2014, Family Trust Distribution Tax (Primary Liability) Amendment (Temporary Budget Repair Levy) Bill 2014, Fringe Benefits Tax Amendment (Temporary Budget Repair Levy) Bill 2014, Income Tax (Bearer Debentures) Amendment (Temporary Budget Repair Levy) Bill 2014, Income Tax (First Home Saver Accounts Misuse Tax) Amendment (Temporary Budget Repair Levy) Bill 2014, Income Tax (TFN Withholding Tax (ESS)) Amendment (Temporary Budget Repair Levy) Bill 2014, Superannuation (Departing Australia Superannuation Payments Tax) Amendment (Temporary Budget Repair Levy) Bill 2014, Superannuation (Excess Non-concessional Contributions Tax) Amendment (Temporary Budget Repair Levy) Bill 2014, Superannuation (Excess Untaxed Roll-over Amounts Tax) Amendment (Temporary Budget Repair Levy) Bill 2014, Taxation (Trustee Beneficiary Non-disclosure Tax) (No. 1) Amendment (Temporary Budget Repair Levy) Bill 2014, Taxation (Trustee Beneficiary Non-disclosure Tax) (No. 2) Amendment (Temporary Budget Repair Levy) Bill 2014, Tax Laws Amendment (Interest on Non-Resident Trust Distributions) (Temporary Budget Repair Levy) Bill 2014, Tax Laws Amendment (Untainting Tax) (Temporary Budget Repair Levy) Bill 2014, Trust Recoupment Tax Amendment (Temporary Budget Repair Levy) Bill 2014; First Reading (1 speech)
    I move: That these bills may proceed without formalities, may be taken together and be now read a first time. Question agreed to. Bills read a first time.
  • Tax Laws Amendment (Temporary Budget Repair Levy) Bill 2014, Income Tax Rates Amendment (Temporary Budget Repair Levy) Bill 2014, Family Trust Distribution Tax (Primary Liability) Amendment (Temporary Budget Repair Levy) Bill 2014, Fringe Benefits Tax Amendment (Temporary Budget Repair Levy) Bill 2014, Income Tax (Bearer Debentures) Amendment (Temporary Budget Repair Levy) Bill 2014, Income Tax (First Home Saver Accounts Misuse Tax) Amendment (Temporary Budget Repair Levy) Bill 2014, Income Tax (TFN Withholding Tax (ESS)) Amendment (Temporary Budget Repair Levy) Bill 2014, Superannuation (Departing Australia Superannuation Payments Tax) Amendment (Temporary Budget Repair Levy) Bill 2014, Superannuation (Excess Non-concessional Contributions Tax) Amendment (Temporary Budget Repair Levy) Bill 2014, Superannuation (Excess Untaxed Roll-over Amounts Tax) Amendment (Temporary Budget Repair Levy) Bill 2014, Taxation (Trustee Beneficiary Non-disclosure Tax) (No. 1) Amendment (Temporary Budget Repair Levy) Bill 2014, Taxation (Trustee Beneficiary Non-disclosure Tax) (No. 2) Amendment (Temporary Budget Repair Levy) Bill 2014, Tax Laws Amendment (Interest on Non-Resident Trust Distributions) (Temporary Budget Repair Levy) Bill 2014, Tax Laws Amendment (Untainting Tax) (Temporary Budget Repair Levy) Bill 2014, Trust Recoupment Tax Amendment (Temporary Budget Repair Levy) Bill 2014; Second Reading (22 speeches)
    I move: That these bills be now read a second time. I seek leave to have the second reading speeches incorporated in Hansard. Leave granted. The speeches read as follows— TAX LAWS...
• Distinguished Visitors (0 speeches)
  • (1 speech)
    I draw to the attention of honourable senators the presence in the chamber of a parliamentary delegation from Poland led by His Excellency Mr Bogdan Borusewicz, the Speaker of the Senate of...
• Questions without Notice (0 speeches)
  • Budget (31 speeches)
    My question is to the Minister representing the Prime Minister, Senator Abetz. I refer to the government's budget levy bill and to Senator Bernardi's claim that today is his 'first opportunity to...
  • Age Pension (8 speeches)
    My question is to the Assistant Minister for Social Services, Senator Fifield. Can the minister confirm that the age pension will continue to increase every six months under this government?
  • Environment (6 speeches, 1 comment)
    My question without notice is to the Minister representing the Minister for the Environment, Minister Cormann. Can the minister confirm Minister Hunt's remarks that the Emissions Reduction Fund...
  • Indigenous Communities (6 speeches)
    My question is to the Minister for Indigenous Affairs, Senator Scullion. Will the minister outline to the Senate the government's approach to meeting the Closing the Gap targets, including...
  • Medicare Co-payment (12 speeches)
    My question is to the Assistant Minister for Health, Senator Nash. I refer to the government's proposed GP tax and comments from the president of the Rural Doctors Association of Australia, Dr...
  • Defence: Naval Vessels (10 speeches)
    My question is to the Minister for Defence, Senator Johnston. Can the minister inform the Senate of the steps the government is taking after six years of Labor budget cuts and inaction in defence...
  • Defence Procurement (19 speeches)
    My question is to the Minister for Defence. Before the election, the now minister told ABC Newcastle on 9 August 2013: I get really fired up when I find us giving away our manufacturing base in...
  • Higher Education: Research Funding (13 speeches)
    My question is to the Minister for Human Services, Senator Payne, representing the Minister for Education. Can the minister advise the Senate how the government is boosting Australia's research...
• Questions without Notice: Take Note of Answers (0 speeches)
  • Budget (23 speeches)
    I move: That the Senate take note of all answers to opposition questions in question time today. In my contribution on this motion, I want to focus on Senator Abetz's answer to my question in...
• Governor-General's Speech (0 speeches)
  • Address-in-Reply (1 speech)
    I inform the Senate that this afternoon, accompanied by honourable senators, I presented to the Governor-General the address-in-reply to His Excellency's predecessor's speech on the occasion of...
• Questions without Notice: Take Note of Answers (0 speeches)
  • Budget (5 speeches)
    Some of the passion may have gone out of the debate, but the content and the subject is just as valid. I rise in my place to take note of answers to questions without notice from earlier in the...
• Notices (0 speeches)
  • Presentation (1 speech)
    I give notice of my intention to amend, pursuant to standing order 77(2), business of the Senate notice of motion No. 3 standing in my name for today, proposing that the Bankruptcy Amendment...
• Business (0 speeches)
  • Rearrangement (1 speech)
    I move: That the following general business orders of the day be considered on Thursday, 19 June 2014 under the temporary order relating to the consideration of private senators' bills: No. 30...
• Committees (0 speeches)
  • Environment and Communications References Committee; Reporting Date (1 speech)
    by leave—I move: That the time for the presentation of the report of the environment and communications References Committee on environmental offsets be extended to 25 June 2014. Question...
• Business (0 speeches)
  • Leave of Absence (1 speech)
    by leave, I move: That leave of absence be granted to Senator O'Neill and Senator Polley for personal reasons for today, 16 June 2014; and to Senator Cameron, for 16 and 17 June 2014. Question...
• Documents (0 speeches)
  • Order for the Production of Documents (1 speech)
    by leave—At the request of Senator Carr, I move: That, noting the 2014-15 budget allocation of $3 billion to fund the East West Link in Melbourne and the absence of a full, public business...
• Committees (0 speeches)
  • Joint Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade; Meeting (1 speech)
    by leave—I move: That the Joint Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade be authorised to hold public meetings during the sittings of the Senate, as follows: (a) on Monday,...
  • Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade Legislation Committee; Reporting Date (1 speech)
    by leave—I move: That the time for the presentation of the report of the Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade Legislation Committee on the Trade and Foreign Investment (Protecting the Public...
• Motions (0 speeches)
  • Diplomatic Relations (1 speech)
    At the request of Senator Stephens, I seek leave to amended general business notice of motion No. 248, relating to diplomatic relations. Question agreed to. by leave—I move the amended...
  • Higher Education Funding (3 speeches)
    by leave—I move: That the Senate— (a) notes that in its first budget the Abbott Coalition Government is cutting $5.8 billion from public higher education, including: (i) $3.2 billion...
• Documents (0 speeches)
  • Note Printing Australia; Order for the Production of Documents (3 speeches)
    At the request of Senator Milne, I move: That there be laid on the table by the Minister representing the Treasurer (Senator Cormann), no later than 5 pm on 7 July 2014, only those sections...
  • World Heritage Committee (2 speeches)
    I move: That the Senate— (a) notes: (i) the World Heritage Committee's request that Australia ensure the Fitzroy Delta, Keppel Bay, north Curtis Island and the northern section of the reef...
• Matters of Public Importance (0 speeches)
  • Budget (24 speeches)
    The President has received the following letter from Senator Moore: Dear Mr President, Pursuant to standing order 75, I propose that the following matter of public importance be submitted to the...
• Documents (0 speeches)
  • Tabling (1 speech)
    I present documents listed on today's Order of Business at item 14 presented since the Senate last met. In accordance with the terms of the standing orders, the publication of the documents was...
• Committees (0 speeches)
  • Legal and Constitutional Affairs Legislation Committee, Economics References Committee; Reporting Date (1 speech)
    by leave—At the request of the chairs of the Legal and Constitutional Affairs Legislation Committee and the Economics References Committee, I move: That— (a)   the time...
• Documents (0 speeches)
  • Consideration (1 speech)
    I seek leave to move a motion to provide for the consideration of the documents just tabled. Leave granted. I move: That consideration of the documents be listed on the NoticePaper as separate...
  • Responses to Senate Resolutions; Tabling (9 speeches)
    I present responses to Senate resolutions as listed at item 15 on today's Order of Business. The list read as follows— Minister for Foreign Affairs (Ms Bishop) to a resolution of the...
  • Detention of People with a Cognitive Impairment (1 speech)
    I seek leave to move a motion in relation to the response by the Attorney-General to the motion that we passed in the Senate regarding accommodation support services for people with a cognitive...
  • Northern Beef Cattle Industry (1 speech)
    I move that the Senate take note of the response by the Minister for Agriculture, Mr Joyce, in relation to the northern beef cattle industry. Leave granted. I move: That the Senate take note of...
  • National Close the Gap Day (1 speech)
    by leave—I move: That the Senate take note of the responses by the New South Wales Minister for Health, Ms Skinner, and the Premier of Tasmania, Mr Hodgman, on the National Close the Gap...
  • Queensland (1 speech)
    I present a resolution agreed to by the Legislative Assembly of Queensland on 4 June 2014 relating to lowering the cost of living for Queenslanders.
• Auditor-General's Reports (0 speeches)
  • Reports Nos 32, 33, 34, 35, 36 and 40 of 2013-14 (1 speech)
    In accordance with the provisions of the Auditor-General's Act 1997, I present six reports of the Auditor-General: No. 32—Delivery of the Hearing Community Service Obligation: Department of...
• Committees (0 speeches)
  • Appropriations and Staffing Committee; Report (1 speech)
    I present the 56th report of the Standing Committee on Appropriations and Staffing on the estimates of the Department of the Senate for 2014-15. Ordered that the report be printed.
• Documents (0 speeches)
  • Order for the Production of Documents (1 speech)
    I table a document relating to the order for the production of documents concerning homelessness.
• Committees (0 speeches)
  • Joint Select Committee on Northern Australia; Report (1 speech)
    I present the interim report of the Joint Select Committee on Northern Australia, together with the Hansard record of proceedings and documents presented to the committee. Ordered that the report...
  • Rural and Regional Affairs and Transport Legislation Committee, Economics Legislation Committee, Finance and Public Administration Legislation Committee, Community Affairs Legislation Committee; Report (1 speech)
    Pursuant to order and at the request of the chairs of the respective committees, I present reports on legislation as listed at item 18 on today's order of business, together with the Hansard...
  • Legal and Constitutional Affairs References Committee (1 speech)
    I present additional information received by the Legal and Constitutional Affairs References Committee on its inquiry into the public interest immunity claim.
  • Joint Select Committee on Northern Australia (8 speeches)
    Madam Acting Deputy President, I seek leave of the Senate to make some comments on the document that Senator Eggleston was just talking about—the Northern Australian one. I appreciate I...
• Delegation Reports (0 speeches)
  • Parliamentary Delegation to the Philippines, Malaysia and Brunei (1 speech)
    I seek leave to table a delegation report. Leave granted. I present a report of the Australian Parliamentary Delegation to the Philippines, Malaysia and Brunei which took place from 30 March to...
• Committees (0 speeches)
  • Membership (1 speech)
    I move: That senators be discharged from and appointed to committees in accordance with the document circulated in the chamber. The list read as follows— Education and Employment...
• Bills (0 speeches)
  • Excise Tariff Amendment (Product Stewardship for Oil) Bill 2014, Customs Tariff Amendment (Product Stewardship for Oil) Bill 2014; First Reading (1 speech)
    I move: That these bills may proceed without formalities, may be taken together and be now read a first time. Question agreed to. Bills read a first time.
  • Excise Tariff Amendment (Product Stewardship for Oil) Bill 2014, Customs Tariff Amendment (Product Stewardship for Oil) Bill 2014; Second Reading (1 speech)
    I move: That these bills be now read a second time. I seek leave to have the second reading speeches incorporated in Hansard. Leave granted. The speeches read as follows— EXCISE TARIFF...
  • Export Legislation Amendment Bill 2014, Export Inspection (Quantity Charge) Amendment Bill 2014, Export Inspection (Service Charge) Amendment Bill 2014, Export Inspection (Establishment Registration Charges) Amendment Bill 2014; First Reading (1 speech)
    I move: That these bills may proceed without formalities, may be taken together and be now read a first time. Question agreed to. Bills read a first time.
  • Export Legislation Amendment Bill 2014, Export Inspection (Quantity Charge) Amendment Bill 2014, Export Inspection (Service Charge) Amendment Bill 2014, Export Inspection (Establishment Registration Charges) Amendment Bill 2014; Second Reading (1 speech)
    I move: That these bills be now read a second time. I seek leave to have the second reading speeches incorporated in Hansard. Leave granted. The speeches read as follows— EXPORT...
  • Agricultural and Veterinary Chemicals Legislation Amendment (Removing Re-approval and Re-registration) Bill 2014, Australian National Preventive Health Agency (Abolition) Bill 2014, Energy Efficiency Opportunities (Repeal) Bill 2014, Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Amendment (Cost Recovery) Bill 2014, Health Workforce Australia (Abolition) Bill 2014, Migration Amendment (Offshore Resources Activity) Repeal Bill 2014, Paid Parental Leave Amendment Bill 2014, Railway Agreement (Western Australia) Amendment Bill 2014, Student Identifiers Bill 2014, Tax and Superannuation Laws Amendment (2014 Measures No. 2) Bill 2014, Tax and Superannuation Laws Amendment (2014 Measures No. 3) Bill 2014, Tax Laws Amendment (Implementation of the FATCA Agreement) Bill 2014, Textile, Clothing and Footwear Investment and Innovation Programs Amendment Bill 2014, Veterans' Affairs Legislation Amendment (Mental Health and Other Measures) Bill 2014, Public Governance, Performance and Accountability Amendment Bill 2014; First Reading (1 speech)
    I move: That these bills may proceed without formalities, may be taken together and be now read a first time. Question agreed to. Bills read a first time.
  • Agricultural and Veterinary Chemicals Legislation Amendment (Removing Re-approval and Re-registration) Bill 2014, Australian National Preventive Health Agency (Abolition) Bill 2014, Energy Efficiency Opportunities (Repeal) Bill 2014, Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Amendment (Cost Recovery) Bill 2014, Health Workforce Australia (Abolition) Bill 2014, Migration Amendment (Offshore Resources Activity) Repeal Bill 2014, Paid Parental Leave Amendment Bill 2014, Railway Agreement (Western Australia) Amendment Bill 2014, Student Identifiers Bill 2014, Tax and Superannuation Laws Amendment (2014 Measures No. 2) Bill 2014, Tax and Superannuation Laws Amendment (2014 Measures No. 3) Bill 2014, Tax Laws Amendment (Implementation of the FATCA Agreement) Bill 2014, Textile, Clothing and Footwear Investment and Innovation Programs Amendment Bill 2014, Veterans' Affairs Legislation Amendment (Mental Health and Other Measures) Bill 2014, Public Governance, Performance and Accountability Amendment Bill 2014; Second Reading (1 speech)
    I table a revised explanatory memorandum relating to the Public Governance, Performance and Accountability Amendment Bill 2014 and move: That these bills be now read a second time. I seek leave...
• Regulations and Determinations (0 speeches)
  • Export Market Development Grants (Extended Lodgement and Consultant Quality Incentive) Determination 2012; Disallowance (7 speeches)
    I move: That the Export Market Development Grants (Extended Lodgement and Consultant Quality Incentive) Determination 2012, made under subsection 70(4) of the Export Market Development Grants Act...
  • Australian Meat and Live-stock Industry (Export of Live-stock to Egypt) Repeal Order 2014; Disallowance (2 speeches)
    I move: That the Australian Meat and Live-stock Industry (Export of Live-stock to Egypt) Repeal Order 2014, made under section 17 of the Australian Meat and Live-stock Industry Act 1997, be...
• Adjournment (0 speeches)
  • Budget (1 speech)
    I would like to talk about the recent budget which we on our side of the chamber think promotes fairness and opportunity. Fairness and opportunity are great Australian values which we all in...
  • Palestine (1 speech)
    Australia has a relatively small to moderate population and a large landmass. We punch well above our weight in international trade and commerce. In international relations, Australia has clear...
  • Aboriginal Deaths in Custody (1 speech)
    Last Thursday, 12 June 2014, I participated in a moving but troubling event: the 33rd anniversary of the death of a 21-year-old rugby league player Eddie Murray which occurred at a police station...
  • National Broadband Network (1 speech)
    I rise tonight to speak about something that is very dear to those of us who live in the country and to let the Senate know that we had some quite good news this morning on the NBN rollout in...