Senate debates

Wednesday, 19 August 2015

• Committees (0 speeches)
  • Education and Employment References Committee, Finance and Public Administration Legislation Committee, Legal and Constitutional Affairs References Committee, Select Committee on the Regional Processing Centre in Nauru; Meeting (1 speech)
    Does any senator wish to have the question put on any of those motions? There being no request, we shall proceed.
• Statement by the President (0 speeches)
  • Questions Without Notice (1 speech)
    Yesterday in question time, there was a great deal of disruption during Senator Bilyk's questions and the answers given by Senator Abetz. The disruption and the need for me to constantly call the...
• Bills (0 speeches)
  • Acts and Instruments (Framework Reform) (Consequential Provisions) Bill 2015; 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.
  • Acts and Instruments (Framework Reform) (Consequential Provisions) Bill 2015; Second Reading (3 speeches)
    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— I am pleased to...
  • Acts and Instruments (Framework Reform) (Consequential Provisions) 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.
  • Omnibus Repeal Day (Spring 2014) Bill 2014; Consideration of House of Representatives Message (23 speeches)
    I move: That the committee does not insist on its amendments to which the House has disagreed.
  • Crimes Legislation Amendment (Powers, Offences and Other Measures) Bill 2015; Second Reading (4 speeches)
    It gives me great pleasure to speak on the Crimes Legislation Amendment (Powers, Offences and Other Measures) Bill 2015. The coalition government made a commitment to ensuring a safe and secure...
  • Crimes Legislation Amendment (Powers, Offences and Other Measures) Bill 2015; In Committee (10 speeches)
    I move Australian Greens amendment (1) on sheet 7736:   (1) Schedule 5, page 10 (lines 1 to 26), to be opposed. The Australian Greens share the strong concerns raised by the Law Council...
• Statements by Senators (0 speeches)
  • Samoan Coffee and Cocoa Industry (1 speech)
    I rise today to talk about a recent trip I had to Samoa. In Christmas of 2011 my wife, Nancy, and I spent the Christmas break in Samoa. Samoa is a small country of 2,800 square kilometres with a...
  • Central Coast: Roads (1 speech)
    As we do our work in this place, our local communities back home continue their work and their lives too. They even get their local papers. And today, in my local paper, the Express Advocate,...
  • Illicit Drugs (1 speech)
    On 7 April, Prime Minister Tony Abbott announced the establishment of a new task force to identify more effective responses to the drug crystal methamphetamine, more commonly referred to as ice....
  • Employment (1 speech)
    Today, I would like to speak about jobs. I have been a senator for just over a year, and the most common issue that is raised with me is jobs. It is a tougher employment market, particularly...
  • China-Australia Free Trade Agreement (1 speech)
    The Abbott government like to pretend that they are the friend of the Australian worker, but their track record betrays a very different agenda. For two years now, they have been using every...
  • Sugar Industry (1 speech)
    Today I would like to speak about the Australian sugar industry and the need for all Australians to work together to support our sugar industry—and, more broadly, Australian farmers,...
  • Dainere's Rainbow Brain Tumour Research Fund, ANZAC Day Schools' Awards, Free Trade Agreements (1 speech)
    On 27 July this year I had the privilege of launching the Qcity Transit advertising campaign for Dainere's Rainbow Brain Tumour Research Fund. The fund was created after Dainere Anthoney, aged...
  • National Broadband Network (3 speeches)
    I rise to speak in relation to the Abbott government's appalling approach to the National Broadband Network. In particular, I want to focus on the effect the coalition's bare bones NBN has on...
• Questions without Notice (0 speeches)
  • Royal Commission into Trade Union Governance and Corruption (10 speeches)
    My question is to the Attorney-General, Senator Brandis. Can the Attorney-General confirm that Commissioner Heydon's salary is more than the $3.3 million being paid to counsel assisting the royal...
  • Environment (10 speeches)
    My question is also to the Attorney-General, Senator Brandis, but, unlike the questions from the other side, my question is about jobs. Can the Attorney-General inform the Senate how the...
• Distinguished Visitors (0 speeches)
  • (1 speech)
    I draw to the attention of Honourable Senators, the presence in the chamber of a parliamentary delegation from Saudi Arabia led by the Speaker, His Excellency Dr Abdullah bin Mohammed Al-Sheikh,...
• Questions without Notice (0 speeches)
  • Royal Commission into Trade Union Governance and Corruption (11 speeches)
    My question is to the Attorney-General, Senator Brandis. I refer to the Attorney-General's confirmation that he spoke with Commissioner Heydon about his planned address to the Liberal Party...
  • Nauru: Surveillance (22 speeches)
    My question is to Senator Cash, the Minister representing the Minister for Immigration and Border Protection. I refer to the recent revelations that my colleague Senator Sarah Hanson-Young was...
  • Mining (6 speeches)
    My question is to the very responsible Minister for Veterans' Affairs, Senator Ronaldson, representing the Minister for Industry and Science. Can the minister outline to the Senate any actions...
  • Renewable Energy (6 speeches)
    My question is for the honourable Senator Birmingham, representing the Minister for the Environment. Far North Queensland boasts natural wonders including the Great Barrier Reef and the Daintree...
  • Perth Freight Link (6 speeches, 1 comment)
    My question is to the Minister representing the Treasurer, the Minister for Finance, Senator Cormann. Can the minister inform the Senate about the importance of the coalition government's...
  • Workplace Relations (6 speeches)
    My question is to the Minister for Employment Senator Abetz. In its recent draft report, the Productivity Commission stated that Sunday penalty rates for restaurants, cafes, retail, hospitality...
  • Cabinet (12 speeches)
    My question is to Senator Abetz, the Minister representing the Prime Minster. I refer to the embarrassing and damaging leak of Monday night's cabinet agenda to Seven News. Can the minister...
  • China-Australia Free Trade Agreement (23 speeches)
    My question is to the Minister for Human Services, Senator Payne, representing the Minister for Trade and Investment. Can the minister inform the Senate how the China-Australia Free Trade...
• Statements (0 speeches)
  • (5 speeches)
    I seek leave to make a short statement. Leave granted. Yesterday, in the course of asking me a question concerning the Honourable Dyson Heydon, and in the course of making an attack on Mr Heydon,...
• Questions without Notice: Additional Answers (0 speeches)
  • Renewable Energy (2 speeches)
    I rise to provide additional information to Senator Lazarus in relation to his question regarding the Mount Emerald wind farm. I can confirm for Senator Lazarus that the Mount Emerald wind farm...
• Questions without Notice: Take Note of Answers (0 speeches)
  • Royal Commission into Trade Union Governance and Corruption (20 speeches)
    I move: That the Senate take note of the answers given by the Attorney-General (Senator Brandis) to questions without notice asked by Senators Collins and Conroy today relating to the...
  • China-Australia Free Trade Agreement (3 speeches)
    I move: That the Senate take note of the answers given by the Minister for Human Services (Senator Payne) to questions without notice asked by Senator Bushby and the Leader of the Opposition in...
• Motions (0 speeches)
  • Country of Origin Labelling (7 speeches)
    I, and also on behalf of Senators Xenophon, Sterle, Whish-Wilson, Madigan, Lambie, Lazarus and Wang move: That the Senate— (a) notes: (i) the current compulsory country of origin labelling...
• Bills (0 speeches)
  • Marriage Equality Plebiscite Bill 2015; First Reading (1 speech)
    I, and also on behalf of Senators Lazarus, Leyonhjelm, Lambie, Muir and Xenophon, move: That the following bill be introduced: A Bill for an Act to require a plebiscite on marriage equality, and...
  • Marriage Equality Plebiscite Bill 2015; Second Reading (1 speech)
    I move: That this bill be now read a second time. I table an explanatory memorandum, and I seek leave to have the second reading speech incorporated in Hansard. Leave granted. The speech read as...
• Documents (0 speeches)
  • Royal Commission into Trade Union Governance and Corruption; Order for the Production of Documents (1 speech)
    I move: That there be laid on the table by the Attorney-General, no later than midday on Thursday, 20 August 2015, all documents related to the proposed attendance of Commissioner Dyson Heydon at...
• Motions (0 speeches)
  • Beef Industry (4 speeches)
    ( That the Senate notes: (a) the seven recommendations of the Rural and Regional Affairs and Transport References Committee's inquiry into industry structures and systems governing levies on...
  • Sugar Industry (7 speeches)
    I move: That the Senate— (a) notes that: (i) the Australian sugar industry directly employs approximately 16,000 people across the growing, harvesting and transport sectors, (ii) 95 per...
  • Beef Industry (2 speeches)
    Mr President, I seek leave to revisit notice of motion No. 817 and to recommit for a vote the motion standing in the name of Senator Whish-Wilson relating to the beef industry. I suspect that the...
• Committees (0 speeches)
  • Scrutiny of Bills Committee; Report (1 speech)
    On behalf of Senator Polley, I present the eighth report of the Senate Standing Committee for the Scrutiny of Bills. I also lay on the table Scrutiny of Bills Alert Digest No. 8, dated 2015....
  • 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 the Delegated Legislation Monitor No. 9 of 2015. Ordered that the report be printed.
  • 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 26th report of the 44th Parliament, the Human rights scrutiny report. Ordered that the report be...
  • Joint Standing Committee on Treaties; Report (1 speech)
    On behalf of the Chair of the Joint Standing Committee on Treaties, I present the 152nd report of the Joint Standing Committee on Treaties—Treaty tabled on 16 June 2015. Ordered that the...
  • Parliamentary Joint Committee on Intelligence and Security; Report (1 speech)
    On behalf of the Chair of the Parliamentary Joint Committee on Intelligence and Security, I wish to present an oral report relating to the committee's inquiry into the Australian Citizenship...
  • Community Affairs References Committee; Report (4 speeches)
    Pursuant to order, I present the report of the Community Affairs References Committee on out-of-home care, together with the Hansard record of proceedings and documents presented to the...
  • Economics References Committee; Report (2 speeches)
    I present the interim report of the Economics References Committee on Australia's automotive industry, together with the Hansard record of proceedings and documents presented to the committee....
• 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 higher education reforms.
• Bills (0 speeches)
  • Australian Defence Force Superannuation Bill 2015, Australian Defence Force Cover Bill 2015, Defence Legislation Amendment (Superannuation and ADF Cover) Bill 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. Bills read a first time.
  • Australian Defence Force Superannuation Bill 2015, Australian Defence Force Cover Bill 2015, Defence Legislation Amendment (Superannuation and ADF Cover) Bill 2015; Second Reading (1 speech)
    I present the explanatory memoranda and 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....
  • Tax and Superannuation Laws Amendment (2015 Measures No. 2) Bill 2015; 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.
  • Tax and Superannuation Laws Amendment (2015 Measures No. 2) Bill 2015; 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— 2RS - Tax and...
• Parliamentary Representation (0 speeches)
  • Valedictory (8 speeches)
    Order. It being 5 pm and pursuant to order of the Senate agreed to on 11 August this year, the Senate will now move to valedictory statements. I call Senator Wright.
• Bills (0 speeches)
  • Crimes Legislation Amendment (Powers, Offences and Other Measures) Bill 2015; In Committee (2 speeches)
    The committee is considering the Crimes Legislation Amendment (Powers, Offences and Other Measures) Bill 2015 as amended and amendment (2) on sheet 7736, moved by Senator Wright.
  • Crimes Legislation Amendment (Powers, Offences and Other Measures) 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 (Maintaining the Good Order of Immigration Detention Facilities) Bill 2015; Second Reading (5 speeches)
    I rise to speak on the Migration Amendment (Maintaining the Good Order of Immigration Detention Facilities) Bill 2015. Labor agrees with the intention of this bill but cannot support it in its...
• Ministerial Statements (0 speeches)
  • Aged Care (1 speech)
    I table for the information of honourable senators the statement by the Minister for Industry and Science, the Hon. Ian Macfarlane MP, entitled Science and innovation building Australia's...
• Adjournment (0 speeches)
  • Land Rover (1 speech)
    Tonight I wish— Senator Conroy interjecting— It is another record from Senator Conroy, the parliamentary embodiment of jazz hands. Tonight I wish to pay homage to the passing of a...
  • Canning Electorate (1 speech)
    I rise tonight to speak about the federal electorate of Canning. As a young mother, I lived in the federal seat of Canning for around 12 years. My children went to primary school in the...
  • Lapoinya (1 speech, 1 comment)
    Recently, when the late Malcolm Fraser passed away, it was fascinating for me, as a proud Green, to look at his environmental track record as a progressive—one could perhaps say one of the...
  • Country to Canberra Essay Competition, Women in Parliament (1 speech)
    It is with great pleasure tonight that I rise to talk about something that is very close to my heart: empowering young women to believe they can do whatever they want to do in this world and not...