Senate debates

Thursday, 17 September 2015

• Committees (0 speeches)
  • Meeting (1 speech)
    There are no proposals for committees to meet.
• Bills (0 speeches)
  • Higher Education Support Amendment (New Zealand Citizens) Bill 2015; Second Reading (44 speeches)
    I would like to add a few words on this Higher Education Support Amendment (New Zealand Citizens) Bill, a measure that I am sponsoring in this chamber. This bill is important both for the...
  • Fair Work Amendment (Penalty Rates Exemption for Small Businesses) Bill 2015; Second Reading (5 speeches)
    Work is one of the most fundamental of human activities. It is difficult to overemphasise the importance of the dignity of gainful employment, providing independence and security for individuals...
• Notices (0 speeches)
  • Withdrawal (1 speech)
    Pursuant to notice of intention given on 16 September 2015, I now withdraw business of the Senate notice of motion Nos 1 to 3 standing in my name for seven sitting days after today.
  • Presentation (1 speech)
    I give notice that, on the next day of sitting, I shall move:
• Committees (0 speeches)
  • Selection of Bills Committee; Report (9 speeches)
    I present the 12th report of 2015 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 (1 speech)
    I move that the order of general business for consideration today be as follows: That the order of general business for consideration today be as follows: (a)   general business...
• Motions (0 speeches)
  • Domestic and Family Violence (3 speeches)
    I move: That the Senate acknowledges the Federal Government's Family and Domestic Violence Strategy, but notes that; (a) adequate supply of affordable housing options is critical in enabling...
  • Yellow Crazy Ants (5 speeches, 1 comment)
    I note that I think Senator Waters has an amendment to this motion to which I am agreeable, and I move: That the Senate— (a) notes: (i) the super colony hazards of yellow crazy ants in the...
• Documents (0 speeches)
  • NBN Co; Order for the Production of Documents (4 speeches)
    At the request of Senator Conroy, I move: That there be laid on the table by the Minister representing the Minister for Communications Senator Fifield and/or the Minister for FinanceSenator...
  • Sport: Women's Cricket (1 speech)
    I, and also on behalf of Senators Peris, McKenzie and Waters, move: That the Senate— (a) notes the achievements of the Australian Women's Cricket Team, the Southern Stars, and congratulates...
  • National Bilby Day (6 speeches)
    I move: That the Senate— (a) notes the second Sunday of September is Australia's National Bilby Day; (b) acknowledges the long-term commitment of conservationist, Mr Frank Manthey, to...
• Bills (0 speeches)
  • Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Amendment (Prohibition of Live Imports of Primates for Research) Bill 2015; First Reading (1 speech)
    I move: That the following bill be introduced: A Bill for an Act to amend the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999, and for related purposes. Environment Protection and...
  • Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Amendment (Prohibition of Live Imports of Primates for Research) 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 present the explanatory memorandum and I seek leave to...
  • Fair Work Amendment (Gender Pay Gap) Bill 2015; First Reading (1 speech)
    I move: That the following bill be introduced: A Bill for an Act to amend the Fair Work Act 2009, and for related purposes. Fair Work Amendment (Gender Pay Gap) Bill 2015. Question agreed to. I...
  • Fair Work Amendment (Gender Pay Gap) 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 and to have the second reading speech incorporated in Hansard. Leave...
• Documents (0 speeches)
  • Coalition Agreement; Order for the Production of Documents (8 speeches)
    On behalf of Senator Wong, I move: That there be laid on the table by the Minister representing the Prime Minister, by no later than 3.30 pm on Thursday, 17 September 2015, the Coalition...
• Motions (0 speeches)
  • Defence: Submarines (38 speeches)
    I, and also on behalf of Senators Conroy, Lambie, Lazarus, Madigan and Muir, move: That the Senate— (a) notes that: (i) the 2009 and 2013 Defence White Papers both state a national security...
  • Illicit Drugs (4 speeches)
    I, and also on behalf of Senator Williams, move: That the Senate— (a) notes: (i) the importance of education as part of the campaign to combat the dangers of 'ice' in Australian society,...
• Documents (0 speeches)
  • Department of Veteran' Affairs; Order for the Production of Documents (9 speeches)
    I move: That there be laid on the table by the Minister for Veterans' Affairs Senator Ronaldson, by no later than 3.30 pm on Monday, 12 October 2015, the following information relating to the...
• Committees (0 speeches)
  • Select Committee on Health; Membership (1 speech)
    I move: That Senator Rice replace Senator Muir on the Select Committee on Health, and Senator Muir be appointed as a participating member of the committee on Friday, 18 September 2015 Question...
• Bills (0 speeches)
  • Foreign Acquisitions and Takeovers Legislation Amendment Bill 2015, Foreign Acquisitions and Takeovers Fees Imposition Bill 2015, Register of Foreign Ownership of Agricultural Land 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. Question agreed to. Bills read a first time.
  • Foreign Acquisitions and Takeovers Legislation Amendment Bill 2015, Foreign Acquisitions and Takeovers Fees Imposition Bill 2015, Register of Foreign Ownership of Agricultural Land 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 speech incorporated in Hansard. Leave granted. The...
  • Fair Work Amendment Bill 2014; Second Reading (14 speeches)
    I think I am continuing my remarks on—
• Questions without Notice (0 speeches)
  • Turnbull Government (9 speeches)
    My question is to the Minister representing the Prime Minister, Senator Abetz. Has the Prime Minister asked the minister to remain in cabinet?
  • Taxation (22 speeches)
    My question is to the Minister for Finance and the minister representing the Treasurer, Senator Cormann. Can the minister outline to the Senate what the government is doing to strengthen the...
  • Prime Minister (7 speeches)
    My question is to the Minister representing the Prime Minister, Senator Abetz. I refer to the Minister for Defence, Mr Andrews, who described the Prime Minister, Mr Turnbull, as someone whose...
  • Trade with China (15 speeches)
    My question is to the Minister representing the Minister for Trade and Investment, Senator Payne—and Senator Abetz will be pleased to know it is about the Chinese free trade deal and the...
  • Medicare (25 speeches)
    My question is to the Minister for Human Services, Senator Payne. I refer the minister to the theft of Medicare clients' sensitive, personal information including bank account details. When did...
  • Steel Industry (6 speeches)
    My question is to the Minister representing the Minister for Industry and Science, Senator Ronaldson. Australian steelmakers and fabricators operate in an ethical environment. This means that...
  • Trade with China (8 speeches)
    My question is to the Assistant Minister for Education and Training, Senator Birmingham. Will the minister inform the Senate of how the China-Australia free trade agreement will protect...
  • Indigenous Communities (11 speeches)
    My question is to the Minister for Indigenous Affairs, Senator Scullion. It is about Aboriginal stolen wages. The Senate inquiry into stolen wages in 2006 found that the Commonwealth played a...
  • Fair Work Commission (17 speeches)
    My question is to the Minister for Employment, Senator Abetz. I refer the minister to revelations that Fair Work Commission Vice-President Michael Lawler took nine months of fully paid sick leave...
  • Trade with China (11 speeches)
    My question is to the Assistant Minister for Immigration and Border Protection, Senator Cash. Can the minister advise the Senate, in relation to the import of goods through Australia's borders,...
• Questions without Notice: Take Note of Answers (0 speeches)
  • Answers to Questions (13 speeches)
    I move: That the Senate take note of the answers given by the Minister for Employment (Senator Abetz) and the Minister for Human Services (Senator Payne) to questions without notice asked by...
  • Trade with China (1 speech)
    I move: That the Senate take note of the answer given by the Minister for Human Services (Senator Payne) to a question without notice asked by Senator Whish-Wilson today relating to free trade...
• Committees (0 speeches)
  • Finance and Public Administration Legislation Committee; Report (2 speeches)
    I present the report of the Senate Finance and Public Administration Legislation Committee on the Department of Parliamentary Services, together with the Hansard record of proceedings and...
  • Select Committee on the Regional Processing Centre in Nauru; Additional Information (1 speech)
    I present additional information received by the Select Committee on the Recent Allegations relating to Conditions and Circumstances at the Regional Processing Centre in Nauru and move: That the...
  • Publications Committee; Report (1 speech)
    I present the 17th report of the Publications Committee and move: That the report be adopted. Question agreed to.
  • Regulations and Ordinances Committee; Delegated Legislation Monitor (1 speech)
    As Chair of the Senate Standing Committee on Regulations and Ordinances, I present the Delegated Legislation Monitor No. 11 of 2015. Ordered that the document be printed. I move: That the Senate...
  • Select Committee on Health; Report (2 speeches)
    I present the third interim report of the Select Committee on Health. Ordered that the report be printed. I move: That the Senate take note of the report. I would like to put on the record some...
  • Additional Information (1 speech)
    I present additional information received by committees relating to estimates.
• Bills (0 speeches)
  • International Aid (Promoting Gender Equality) Bill 2015; Report of Legislation Committee (3 speeches)
    On behalf of Senator Back, I present the report of the Senate Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade Legislation Committee on the International Aid (Promoting Gender Equality) Bill 2015, together...
• Committees (0 speeches)
  • Community Affairs References Committee; Report (1 speech)
    I present the report of the Community Affairs References Committee on the availability of cancer drugs in Australia, together with the Hansard record of proceedings and documents presented to the...
• Ministerial Statements (0 speeches)
  • Iraq, Syria and Afghanistan, Refugees (4 speeches)
    I table two ministerial statements as listed at item 16 on today's order of business: Iraq, Syria, Afghanistan and operations in the Middle East (made in the House of Representatives on 16...
• Motions (0 speeches)
  • Motorsport (8 speeches)
    I move: That the Senate notes the economic, social and other benefits of motorsport in Australia. This speech may not start where a few people think it will, but bear with me; I will get back to...
• Documents (0 speeches)
  • Centrepay; Order for the Production of Documents (1 speech)
    I table a document relating to the order for the production of documents concerning the Centrepay policy and terms.
• Committees (0 speeches)
  • Select Committee on the Regional Processing Centre in Nauru; Report (38 speeches)
    I made some remarks on the document last week and I want to put on the record a more complete explanation of my remarks, as they appear to have been taken out of context. Basically, I made some...
  • Legal and Constitutional Affairs References Committee; Report (2 speeches)
    The Legal and Constitutional Affairs References Committee inquiry into the handling of a letter sent by Mr Man Haron Monis to the Attorney-General is another inquiry along the same lines as the...
• Adjournment (0 speeches)
  • National Police Remembrance Dady (1 speech)
    I rise to speak about National Police Remembrance Day, which is held on 29 September every year. Police Remembrance Day is a day in which police services throughout the Australia-Pacific region...
  • South Australia: Regional Development (1 speech)
    I rise to make a contribution on my duty seat of Grey. During the winter break I took the opportunity to travel around the electorate of Grey, speaking with residents, business people, mayors,...
  • Defence: Submarines (1 speech)
    The Liberal Democrats accept that national defence is a legitimate role for the Commonwealth government. The Navy comprises part of that defence. Furthermore, because there are only two types of...