Senate debates

Tuesday, 24 June 2014

• Bills (0 speeches)
  • Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Amendment (Cost Recovery) Bill 2014; Second Reading (8 speeches)
    The Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Amendment (Cost Recovery) Bill 2014, which we are debating today, is part of a commitment to a more streamlined and efficient...
  • Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Amendment (Cost Recovery) Bill 2014; Third Reading (3 speeches)
    As no amendments to the bill have been circulated, I shall call the minister to move the third reading unless any senator requires that the bill be considered in Committee of the Whole.
  • Australian Workforce and Productivity Agency Repeal Bill 2014; Second Reading (4 speeches)
    I move the second reading amendment standing in the name of Senator Carr: At the end of the motion, add: but the Senate notes that the Government has failed to guarantee that the critical...
  • Australian Workforce and Productivity Agency Repeal Bill 2014; Third Reading (2 speeches)
    As no amendments to the bill have been circulated, I shall call the minister to move the third reading unless any senator requires that the bill be considered in Committee of the Whole.
• Ministerial Arrangements (0 speeches)
  • (1 speech)
    by leave—Senator Nash, the Assistant Minister for Health, will be absent from question time today owing to a flight delay. For the purposes of question time Senator Payne will represent the...
• Questions without Notice (0 speeches)
  • Environment: Heritage Listing (28 speeches)
    My question is to the Minister representing the Prime Minister, Senator Abetz. I refer the minister to the overnight decision of the UNESCO World Heritage Committee, rejecting the government's...
  • Greste, Mr Peter (6 speeches)
    My question is to the Attorney-General representing the Minister for Foreign Affairs, Senator Brandis. Can the Attorney-General advise the Senate of the Australian government's reaction to the...
  • Sharrouf, Mr Khaled (6 speeches)
    My question today is also to the Attorney-General, Senator Brandis. I refer to the case of convicted jihadi terrorist Khaled Sharrouf who, despite being under surveillance—his passport was...
  • Asylum Seekers (6 speeches)
    My question is to the Assistant Minister for Immigration and Border Protection, Senator Cash. Can the minister update the Senate on the number of illegal maritime arrivals who have entered...
  • Unemployment Benefits (13 speeches)
    My question is to the Minister for Finance, Senator Cormann. Last week in this chamber I asked about the emergency relief for young people who will be left without income support for six months...
  • Budget (20 speeches)
    My question is to the Minister representing the Minister for Health, Senator Payne. Is the minister aware that even a low-risk pregnant woman normally requires seven to 10 visits to the doctor...
  • Child Care (15 speeches)
    My question is to the Minister for Human Services and Minister representing the Minister for Education, Senator Payne. Will the minister explain to the Senate what the Department of Education's...
  • Higher Education (22 speeches)
    My question is to the Minister representing and Minister for Education, Senator Payne. I refer to the government's extreme higher education changes. Is the minister aware of the comments by the...
  • Defence (12 speeches)
    My question is to the Minister for Defence, Senator Johnston. Can the minister outline to the Senate how the government has met its election commitment to fix the Defence budget? In particular,...
• Questions without Notice: Take Note of Answers (0 speeches)
  • Environment: Heritage Listing (9 speeches, 1 comment)
    I move: That the Senate take note of the answer given by the Minister for Employment (Senator Abetz) to a question without notice asked by Senator Thorp today relating to the Tasmanian Wilderness...
  • Unemployment Benefits (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 Siewert today relating to income support...
• Business (0 speeches)
  • Leave of Absence (1 speech)
    by leave—I move: That leave of absence be granted to Senator Heffernan for today, for personal reasons. Question agreed to.
• Notices (0 speeches)
  • Withdrawal (1 speech)
    I withdraw general business notice of motion No. 191, standing in the name of Senator Urquhart for today.
• Committees (0 speeches)
  • Environment and Communications Legislation Committee; Reporting Date (1 speech)
    At the request of Senator Williams, I move: That the time for the presentation of the report of the Environment and Communications Legislation Committee on the National Broadband Network...
• Notices (0 speeches)
  • Withdrawal (2 speeches)
    I wish to withdraw notice of motion No. 250, standing in my name for today.
• Motions (0 speeches)
  • Standing Orders (1 speech)
    At the request of Senator Parry, I move: That standing order 72 be amended, with effect from the next day of sitting, as follows: Omit paragraph (3), substitute: (3) (a) The asking of each...
• Business (0 speeches)
  • Senate Temporary Orders (2 speeches)
    At the request of Senator Parry, I move: (1) That: (a) standing orders 55(1), 57(1)(d) and 59 be modified as follows to provide for the consideration of general business orders of the day...
• Bills (0 speeches)
  • Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Amendment (A Stronger Land Account) Bill 2014; First Reading (1 speech)
    by leave—I move: That the following bill be introduced: A Bill for an Act to amend the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Act 2005, and for related purposes. Question agreed to. I...
  • Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Amendment (A Stronger Land Account) 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 and to have the second reading speech incorporated in Hansard. Leave...
• Committees (0 speeches)
  • Legal and Constitutional Affairs References Committee; Reference (1 speech)
    I seek leave to amend business of the Senate notice of motion No. 1 standing in my name for today. Leave granted. by leave—I move the motion as amended, and seek leave to table a document...
  • Select Committee on School Funding; Reporting Date (1 speech)
    At the request of Senator Collins, I move: That the time for the presentation of the final report of the Select Committee on School Funding be extended to 9 July 2014. Question agreed to.
• Motions (0 speeches)
  • Marshall Islands: Nuclear Non Proliferation (1 speech)
    I ask that general business notice of motion No. 292, standing in my name for today, relating to nuclear disarmament and action brought by the Marshall Islands, be taken as a formal motion. Leave...
• Delegation Reports (0 speeches)
  • Parliamentary Delegation to Republic of Cyprus and Russian Federation (1 speech)
    I present the report of the Australian parliamentary delegation to the Republic of Cyprus and the Russian Federation, which took place 6 to 18 July 2013. I present four reports on the official...
• Auditor-General's Reports (0 speeches)
  • (1 speech)
    In accordance with the provisions of the Auditor-General Act 1997, I present two reports of the Auditor-General as listed at item 10 on today's Order of Business.
• Documents (0 speeches)
  • Questions Without Notice; Tabling (1 speech)
    I table a document relating to a question on notice asked by the Leader of the Opposition in the Senate, Senator Wong, during question time on 23 June 2014, concerning the trade in services agreement.
• Committees (0 speeches)
  • Public Works Committee; Report (1 speech)
    Pursuant to order and at the request of the chairs of the respective committees, I present Report No. 4 2014 referrals made March 2014. I present the 140th report of the Joint Standing Committee...
  • Finance and Public Administration Legislation Committee; Additional Information (1 speech)
    I present additional information received by the Finance and Public Administration Legislation Committee on its inquiry into the provisions of the asset recycling fund bill 2014 and a related bill.
  • Parliamentary Joint Committee on Human Rights; Report (1 speech)
    On behalf of the Chair of the Parliamentary Joint Committee on Human Rights, I present the eighth report of the 44th Parliament, Examination of legislation in accordance with the Human Rights...
• Delegation Reports (0 speeches)
  • Parliamentary Delegation to Vanuatu and New Zealand (3 speeches)
    by leave—I table and present the report of the Australian parliamentary delegation to Vanuatu and New Zealand by the Senate Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade References Committee, which...
• Budget (0 speeches)
  • Consideration by Estimates Committees (1 speech)
    Pursuant to order and at the request of the chairs of the respective committees, I present reports from legislation committees, except the Community Affairs Legislation Committee, in respect of...
• Documents (0 speeches)
  • Address by the Prime Minister of Japan (1 speech)
    A message has been received from the House of Representatives inviting senators to attend a meeting of the House for an address by the Hon. Shinzo Abe, Prime Minister of Japan, on 8 July next....
• Bills (0 speeches)
  • Appropriation (Parliamentary Departments) Bill (No. 1) 2014-2015, Appropriation Bill (No. 1) 2014-2015, Appropriation Bill (No. 2) 2014-2015; 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.
  • Appropriation (Parliamentary Departments) Bill (No. 1) 2014-2015, Appropriation Bill (No. 1) 2014-2015, Appropriation Bill (No. 2) 2014-2015; 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— APPROPRIATION...
  • Appropriation Bill (No. 5) 2013-2014, Appropriation Bill (No. 6) 2013-2014; 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.
  • Appropriation Bill (No. 5) 2013-2014, Appropriation Bill (No. 6) 2013-2014; Second Reading (1 speech)
    I table a revised explanatory memorandum relating to Appropriation Bill (No. 6) 2013-2014 and move: That these bills be now read a second time. I seek leave to have the second reading speeches...
  • Health Insurance Amendment (Extended Medicare Safety Net) Bill 2014, Regulatory Powers (Standard Provisions) Bill 2014; First Reading (1 speech)
    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 separately on the Notice Paper....
  • Health Insurance Amendment (Extended Medicare Safety Net) Bill 2014, Regulatory Powers (Standard Provisions) 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— HEALTH INSURANCE...
• Parliamentary Representation (0 speeches)
  • Valedictory (16 speeches)
    In keeping with the trend of making short statements, I too will be making one today. I would like to begin by acknowledging those retiring senators: Senators Furner, Farrell, Thorp, Pratt,...
• Adjournment (0 speeches)
  • Wanachote, Mr Khun Kanit, OAM (1 speech)
    I rise to speak about a good friend who passed away recently. His name is Khun Kanit Wanachote, a Thai bloke. He was born on 15 February 1928 in Surat Thani Province, Thailand. Khun Kanit's...
  • Tobacco Plain Packaging (1 speech)
    According to the Department of Health, each year smoking kills an estimated 15,000 Australians. It is widely recognised as the single largest preventable cause of illness and premature death in...
  • Managed Investment Schemes (1 speech)
    The Greens want an inquiry to look at whether government has any case to answer in the systemic failure of the forestry managed-investment scheme industry in this country. These schemes,...
  • Tax Evasion (1 speech)
    Today, I met with representatives from the Christian activist group, the Micah Challenge, as part of their 'Shine the light on tax dodging and corruption' campaign. It was an absolute pleasure to...
  • Budget (1 speech)
    Tonight I rise to speak once more about why this government's budget of broken promises represents such a clear breach of trust. A little over a year ago in this chamber, I warned about what an...
  • G20 Protests (1 speech)
    Recently I was invited to the Queensland Police Union employees' conference by the president of the union, Ian Levers. As you would know, Mr Deputy President, I am the deputy chair of the Joint...
  • Hockey (3 speeches)
    I rise tonight to congratulate the Australian hockey team on their recent incredible success at the World Cup held in the Netherlands earlier this month. The hockey World Cup final consisted of...
  • Assyrian Community (1 speech)
    I rise this evening to speak in relation to the Assyrian community, both those people who have settled in Australia and those affected by the very serious situation in Iraq. In March it was a...
  • Daytime Running Lights (1 speech)
    Tonight I want to speak about daytime running lights. It might not seem like much of a topic, but they are creeping into the motor vehicle industry. Daytime running lights are provided for under...
  • Motor Neurone Disease (1 speech)
    Given that I am retiring as a senator on 30 June, there have been lots of lasts in recent months—and this is the last opportunity I will have to speak on motor neurone disease in this...
  • Small Steps, Cybersafety Book Launch (1 speech)
    Tonight I want to talk about two events I attended recently in my home state of Tasmania, both organised and supported by welfare organisations and both promoting causes that are of a great deal...
  • Child Abuse (1 speech)
    I rise tonight not to reflect on my highs and lows as an outgoing senator but to talk about a topic that is and has been very close to my heart in the time that I have served in the Senate. That...
  • Environment (1 speech)
    Following an announcement earlier today by the opposition leader, I am pleased to say that I have been appointed shadow parliamentary secretary for the environment, climate change and water....
  • Homelessness (1 speech)
    Last week I spoke about a gentleman by the name of Jonathan, who is homeless, living in his car with his son in the beach suburbs of Western Australia. Although I would really like to say he has...
  • Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (1 speech)
    I rise tonight to continue a discussion I started in this place last week, regarding a vulnerable group of Australians who suffer from the medical condition of atypical haemolytic uremic...
  • People's Mojahedin Organization of Iran (1 speech)
    I have spoken in this place before about my friend Mohammed Sadeghpour, an Australian citizen of Iranian descent who advocates strongly for a group of people who are trapped in Iraq at a place...
  • Holt, Mr Peter (1 speech)
    I rise tonight to speak on a most insidious matter, a disgusting breach of trust and a shameful insult to hardworking Australians who are trying to put some money aside for their future, for...
  • Future of Financial Advice, Hawkesbury River Railway Crossing, Crime Prevention (1 speech)
    I am a little breathless—I was in my office listening to Senator Dastyari and I was so caught up in the passion of his concern about the winding back of the FoFA laws that I forgot it was...
  • Budget (2 speeches)
    Tonight I rise to make to make some comments on how the government's higher education reform will expand opportunities for regional students. As Sam Seaborn famously said, 'Education is the...
  • Radioactive Waste (1 speech, 1 comment)
    Tonight I want to pay my respects to the Aboriginal elders of the Muckaty lands in the Barkly region, their families and their supporters around the country. I understand that only a tiny handful...
  • Malaysia: Rare Earth Refinery, Williams, Mr Chappy (1 speech)
    A number of Australians recently travelled to Malaysia to work with the growing mass movement in that country protesting against the construction of an Australian toxic rare earth refinery plant...