Senate debates

Wednesday, 24 June 2015

• Bills (0 speeches)
  • Social Services Legislation Amendment (Defined Benefit Income Streams) Bill 2015; Second Reading (3 speeches)
    We seem to be going through this particular process quite regularly at the moment with one particular bill. You would remember that in the past we had a composite bill that included about seven...
  • Social Services Legislation Amendment (Defined Benefit Income Streams) Bill 2015; 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.
  • Excise Tariff Amendment (Fuel Indexation) Bill 2015, Customs Tariff Amendment (Fuel Indexation) Bill 2015, Fuel Indexation (Road Funding) Special Account Bill 2015, Fuel Indexation (Road Funding) Bill 2015; First Reading (1 speech)
    by leave—I move: (a) the following bills be introduced: the Excise Tariff Amendment (Fuel Indexation) Bill 2015, the Customs Tariff Amendment (Fuel Indexation) Bill 2015, the Fuel...
  • Excise Tariff Amendment (Fuel Indexation) Bill 2015, Customs Tariff Amendment (Fuel Indexation) Bill 2015, Fuel Indexation (Road Funding) Special Account Bill 2015, Fuel Indexation (Road Funding) Bill 2015; Second Reading (20 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— EXCISE TARIFF...
  • Excise Tariff Amendment (Fuel Indexation) Bill 2015, Customs Tariff Amendment (Fuel Indexation) Bill 2015, Fuel Indexation (Road Funding) Special Account Bill 2015, Fuel Indexation (Road Funding) Bill 2015; Third Reading (1 speech)
    I move: That these bills be now read a third time. Question agreed to. Bills read a third time.
  • Communications Legislation Amendment (SBS Advertising Flexibility and Other Measures) Bill 2015; Second Reading (2 speeches)
    I think this is my third go at finishing a contribution on this very important bill and, hopefully, I will see it through today. I will recap, because it was last week that the chamber last...
• Statements (0 speeches)
  • Excise Tariff Amendment (Fuel Indexation) Bill 2015, Customs Tariff Amendment (Fuel Indexation) Bill 2015, Fuel Indexation (Road Funding) Special Account Bill 2015, Fuel Indexation (Road Funding) Bill 2015 (4 speeches)
    Mr Acting Deputy President Bernardi, I seek leave of the Senate to make a 30-second statement about a vote in the Senate recently.
• Bills (0 speeches)
  • Airports Amendment Bill 2015; Second Reading (3 speeches)
    I am pleased to be able to speak to the Airports Amendment Bill 2015 today. The bill addresses deficiencies in regard to the Airports Act 1996 as these deficiencies create uncertainty and...
• Statements by Senators (0 speeches)
  • Australian Defence Force, Malaysia Airlines: Missing Aircraft (1 speech)
    I rise today to pay tribute to the work of the Australian Department of Defence and the Australian defence industry in the largest maritime search in aviation history. All Australians know that...
  • Aged Care (1 speech)
    I rise to speak about Senator Fifield's attempts to provide certainty for the Commonwealth Home Support Program on Monday. His comments were nothing but a cosmetic job by a very desperate make-up...
  • Public Transport (1 speech)
    Sean is a 23-year-old student I know who lives in Footscray in inner Melbourne. He rides his bike to uni, which gets him there more quickly than a car would in Melbourne's traffic. He catches a...
  • Papal Encyclical (1 speech)
    I rise to comment on His Holiness the Pope's recent encyclical Laudato Si, which translates as 'praise be to you'. I firstly acknowledge the excellent work that the Pope has undertaken since he...
  • Queensland (1 speech)
    I rise this afternoon to speak of this government's callous disregard for the people of my home state of Queensland. This is particularly in relation to the fact that this government is denying...
  • Families (1 speech)
    There is one segment of Australian society under attack at the moment, and more so than ever before. I am speaking about the family. No matter which way you look in this place or the other, the...
  • Mining and Energy (1 speech)
    In Perth yesterday morning, I had the privilege of addressing the annual convention of the Association of Mining and Exploration Companies, better known as AMEC. I use the word 'privilege' quite...
  • Defence Procurement (1 speech)
    On Saturday, 23 May this year I joined 6,000 other people at Techport in Adelaide's northern suburbs to watch the launch of the first of three destroyers being built as part of Australia's air...
  • Australian Labor Party (2 speeches)
    It is a pleasure to take up the last two minutes and 21 seconds before question time. The Australian people need to be concerned with some of the actions of the Australian Labor Party in recent...
• Questions without Notice (0 speeches)
  • Defence Procurement (21 speeches)
    My question is to Senator Brandis, the Minister representing the Minister for Defence. I draw the minister's attention to the report in the Newcastle Herald that 160 more workers at Forgacs'...
  • Abbott Government: Legislative Program (8 speeches)
    My question is to the Acting Leader of the Government in the Senate, Senator Brandis. Can he update the Senate on the government's record of achievements and, in particular, its record of...
  • Attorney-General (24 speeches)
    My question is the Attorney-General, Senator Brandis. I refer to the failure of the Attorney-General and the foreign minister to correct the record for a full parliamentary week after misleading...
  • Asylum Seekers (12 speeches)
    My question is to the Minister representing the Prime Minister, Senator Brandis. My question is in relation to the legislation the government plans to ram through the parliament this week to give...
  • Carers (6 speeches)
    My question is to the Assistant Minister for Social Services, Senator Fifield. Can the minister update the Senate on the implementation of the new national carers gateway announced in the 2015 budget?
  • Coal Seam Gas (6 speeches)
    My question is to Senator Birmingham, representing the Minister for the Environment. Senator, I note your government's deal with some members of the crossbench to ensure the conclusion of the...
  • Food Labelling (6 speeches)
    My question is to the highly effective Minister for Veterans' Affairs, Senator Ronaldson, representing the Minister for Industry and Science. Will the minister update the Senate on feedback...
  • Drug Testing in Sport (6 speeches)
    My question is to the Assistant Minister for Health, representing the Minister for Sport, Senator Nash. At the recent Senate estimates, ASADA noted that sporting organisations have their own...
  • Health Funding (6 speeches)
    My question is to the Assistant Minister for Health, Senator Nash. I refer to the government's decision to stop funding through the health flexible funds a preventive health agency called the...
  • Employment: Women (6 speeches)
    My question is to the , Senator Cash. Will the minister inform the Senate of recent initiatives that will enable women who have been out of the workforce to take up jobs which utilise their...
  • Legal Aid (11 speeches)
    My question is to Attorney-General Senator Brandis. Can the minister confirm that the new National Partnership agreement includes immediate funding cuts in some jurisdictions and a 30 per cent...
• Questions without Notice: Additional Answers (0 speeches)
  • China-Australia Free Trade Agreement (3 speeches)
    During question time on 22 June, the Leader of the Opposition in the Senate asked a question on the China-Australia free trade agreement, parts of which I took on notice. I seek leave to make a...
• Questions without Notice: Take Note of Answers (0 speeches)
  • Defence Procurement (25 speeches)
    I move: That the Senate take note of the answer given by the Attorney-General (Senator Brandis) to a question without notice asked by Senator Carr today relating to jobs in the ship building...
  • Asylum Seekers (1 speech)
    I move: That the Senate take note of the answer given by the Attorney-General (Senator Brandis) to a question without notice asked by Senator Hanson-Young today relating to payments in relation...
• Notices (0 speeches)
  • Withdrawal (2 speeches)
    Pursuant to standing order 78(1), I give notice of my intention, at the giving of notices on the next day of sitting, to withdraw business of the Senate notice of motion No. 2 standing in my name...
• Committees (0 speeches)
  • Reporting Date (1 speech)
    Does any senator wish to have those questions put? There being none, I will now proceed to the discovery of formal business.
  • Economics References Committee; Reference (1 speech)
    I, and also on behalf of Senators Madigan, Leyonhjelm, Lazarus, Lambie, Xenophon and Whish-Wilson, move: That the following matter be referred to the Economics References Committee for inquiry...
• Motions (0 speeches)
  • Australian Charities and Not-for-profits Commission (1 speech)
    At the request of Senators Wong, Xenophon, Muir and Siewert, I move: That the Senate— (a) notes that: (i) the Australian Charities and Not for profits Commission enjoys strong support from...
  • World Hepatitis Day (1 speech)
    At the request of Senators Smith and Singh, I move: That the Senate— (a) notes: (i) the bravery of those Australians who shared their experiences of Hepatitis C in person and in the book...
• Bills (0 speeches)
  • Higher Education Support Amendment (New Zealand Citizens) Bill 2015; First Reading (1 speech)
    I move: That the following bill be introduced: A Bill for an Act to amend the Higher Education Support Act 2003, and for related purposes. Question agreed to. I present the bill and move: That...
  • Higher Education Support Amendment (New Zealand Citizens) Bill 2015; 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...
  • Social Security (Administration) Amendment (Consumer Lease Exclusion) Bill 2015; First Reading (1 speech)
    I move: That the following bill be introduced: A Bill for an Act to amend the Social Security (Administration) Act 1999, and for related purposes. Question agreed to. I present the bill and move:...
  • Social Security (Administration) Amendment (Consumer Lease Exclusion) Bill 2015; Second Reading (1 speech)
    I move: That this bill be now read a second time. I seek leave to table to table an explanatory memorandum relating to the bill. Leave granted. I table an explanatory memorandum and I seek leave...
• Motions (0 speeches)
  • Agriculture (1 speech)
    I move: That the Senate— (a) acknowledges the valuable contribution that agriculture makes to Australia's social, economic and environmental sustainability; (b) recognises: (i) the...
  • Ackerman, Mr James (3 speeches)
    I move: That the Senate— (a) expresses its deepest sympathy to the family and friends of Mr James Ackerman who sadly passed away on 22 June 2015 as a result of an on field injury sustained...
• Committees (0 speeches)
  • Select Committee on the Murray Darling Basin Plan; Appointment (5 speeches)
    I, and also on behalf of Senators Wang, Leyonhjelm, Heffernan, Lambie, Muir and Madigan, move: (1) That a select committee, to be known as the Select Committee on the Murray Darling Basin Plan be...
  • Asylum Seekers (14 speeches)
    I move: That the following matter be referred to the Legal and Constitutional Affairs References Committee for inquiry and report by 15 September 2015: The payment of cash or other inducements by...
  • Financial Services (7 speeches)
    I move: That the Senate— (a) notes: (i) the recommendations of the Economics References Committee inquiry into the performance of the Australian Securities and Investments Commission, and...
  • Apprenticeships (8 speeches)
    I move: That the Senate— (a) notes that: (i) the 2014 annual report of the New South Wales Department of Education and Communities shows that TAFE NSW lost 15 per cent of its teaching staff...
  • Economics References Committee; Reference (5 speeches)
    I, and also on behalf of Senator Wang, move: That the following matters be referred to the Economics References Committee for inquiry and report by 1 July 2016: (a) the measures governing the...
• Bills (0 speeches)
  • Australian Government Boards (Gender Balanced Representation) Bill 2015; First Reading (1 speech)
    I, and also on behalf of Senators Waters, Lambie and Lazarus, move: That the following bill be introduced: A Bill for an Act to require Government board members to be appointed with regard to...
  • Australian Government Boards (Gender Balanced Representation) Bill 2015; 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...
• Documents (0 speeches)
  • Consideration (1 speech)
    ( Senator Gallacher ) (): We now proceed to the consideration of documents under the new temporary order. The documents for consideration are listed on page 6 of today's Order of Business. The...
• Committees (0 speeches)
  • Rural and Regional Affairs and Transport References Committee; Report (1 speech)
    On behalf of Senator Sterle, I present the repot of the Rural and Regional Affairs and Transport References Committee on Australia's sugar industry, together with the Hansard record of...
  • Select Committee on Health; Report (9 speeches)
    On behalf of Senator O'Neill, the Chair of the Select Committee on Health, I present the interim report of the Senate Select Committee on Health. Ordered that the report be printed. I move: That...
  • Rural and Regional Affairs and Transport References Committee; Report (1 speech)
    by leave—I return to speak on the report of the Rural and Regional Affairs Transport References Committee into the current and future arrangements for the marketing of Australian sugar. I...
  • Community Affairs References Committee; Report (1 speech)
    It is with pleasure that I present the report of the Community Affairs References Committee inquiry into the adequacy of existing residential care arrangements available for young people with...
• First Speech (0 speeches)
  • (3 speeches)
    Order! Before I call Senator McAllister, I remind honourable senators that this is her first speech and, therefore, I ask that the usual courtesies be extended to her.
• Committees (0 speeches)
  • Community Affairs References Committee; Report (3 speeches)
    It is a pleasure to join with Senator Rachel Siewert and also with Senator Nova Peris to talk on this committee report this afternoon and also, at the very start, to pay considerable tribute to...
  • Regulations and Ordinances Committee; Delegated Legislation Monitor (1 speech)
    On behalf of the Chair of the Senate Standing Committee on Regulations and Ordinances, I present Delegated Legislation Monitor No. 7 of 2015. Order that the document be printed.
  • Human Rights Committee; Report (1 speech)
    On behalf of the Government Whip, Senator Bushby, and on behalf of the Parliamentary Joint Committee on Human Rights, I present the 24th report of the 44th Parliament Human Rights Scrutiny...
  • Environment and Communications Legislation Committee; Additional Information (1 speech)
    On behalf of the Environment and Communications Legislation Committee, I present additional information received by the committee on its inquiry into the provisions of the Communications...
  • National Capital and External Territories Committee; Report (2 speeches)
    On behalf of Senator Brown, the Deputy Chair of the National Capital and External Territories Joint Standing Committee, I present the committee's interim report on Governance in the Indian Ocean...
• Documents (0 speeches)
  • Marine Sanctuaries; Order for the Production of Documents (1 speech)
    I table a document relating to the order for the production of documents concerning marine reserves.
• Committees (0 speeches)
  • Membership (2 speeches)
    The President has received letters from party leaders requesting changes in the membership of various committees.
  • Senate Procedure Committee; Report (5 speeches)
    I move: That the Senate adopt the recommendations of the second report of 2015 of the Procedure Committee.
• Bills (0 speeches)
  • Airports Amendment Bill 2015; Second Reading (5 speeches)
    When debate was interrupted earlier today, I was talking about the Airports Amendment Bill 2015, which we have before us now. I was talking about the big promises on jobs associated with Badgerys...
  • Airports Amendment Bill 2015; In Committee (3 speeches)
    I, and also on behalf of Senator Rhiannon, move amendment (1) on sheet 7735: (1) Schedule 1, item 30, page 15 (after line 30), after subsection 96B(12), insert:   (12A) To avoid doubt,...
  • Airports Amendment Bill 2015; Third Reading (1 speech)
    I move: That this bill be now read a third time. Question agreed to. Bill read a third time.
  • Migration Amendment (Strengthening Biometrics Integrity) Bill 2015; Second Reading (2 speeches)
    I rise to speak on the Migration Amendment (Strengthening Biometrics Integrity) Bill 2015. Labor does not oppose this bill, but we have concerns about some of its provisions and we have...
• Adjournment (0 speeches)
  • Ioof (3 speeches)
    In the last week, Australians may have read about the goings on at a company called IOOF. This is a company that has $150 billion worth of funds under management and some 650,000 clients. It is...
  • International Development Assistance (1 speech)
    I rise today to highlight one of the cruel cuts being delivered by the Abbott government, and that is the savage cut to Australia's foreign aid. So far, the government has cut Australia's aid...
  • Climate Change (1 speech)
    On this day of national shame—and that is the only way you can describe it when the government and the Labor Party have completely lost their moral compass—to retrospectively legalise...
  • Valedictory: Senator Christine Milne (4 speeches)
    I know that Senator Milne's speech was not officially a valedictory, but it was a farewell speech. I might make a few remarks on behalf of the government. Senator Milne is a colleague with whom I...