Senate debates

Tuesday, 13 October 2015

• Committees (0 speeches)
  • Corporations and Financial Services Committee, Economics References Committee, Joint Select Committee on Northern Australia; Meeting (1 speech)
    Does any senator wish to have the question put on any of those motions? There being no-one, we will proceed to business.
• Business (0 speeches)
  • Rearrangement (1 speech)
    I move: That consideration of the business before the Senate on Tuesday, 13 October 2015 be interrupted at approximately 5 pm, but not so as to interrupt a senator speaking, to enable Senator...
• Bills (0 speeches)
  • Fair Work Amendment Bill 2014; In Committee (46 speeches)
    We are considering the Fair Work Amendment Bill 2014, as amended.
  • Fair Work Amendment Bill 2014; Third Reading (2 speeches)
    I move: That the bill be read a third time.
  • Social Security Legislation Amendment (Debit Card Trial) Bill 2015; Second Reading (2 speeches)
    The Social Security Legislation Amendment (Debit Card Trial) Bill 2015 is important because it looks at an important change in the way that social welfare will be enacted in various communities....
• Ministerial Arrangements (0 speeches)
  • (1 speech)
    by leave—I inform the Senate that Senator Dean Smith has been elected as an Assistant Government Whip.
• Shadow Ministerial Arrangements (0 speeches)
  • (1 speech)
    by leave—I inform the Senate that earlier this afternoon the Leader of the Opposition, Mr Shorten, announced changes to the shadow ministry. As far as these changes affect the Senate, I...
• Questions without Notice (0 speeches)
  • Murray-Darling Basin (22 speeches)
    My question is to the minister representing the Minister for Agriculture and Water Resources, Senator Colbeck. I refer to his statement yesterday in relation to the allocation of water...
  • National Security (6 speeches)
    My question is to the Leader of the Government in the Senate, Senator Brandis. Will the minister update the Senate on what the government is doing to further strengthen national security?
• Distinguished Visitors (0 speeches)
  • (1 speech)
    Before I call on the next question, I advise honourable senators of the presence in the gallery of a parliamentary delegation from Kenya, led by the Hon. Johnson Sakaja MP. On behalf of all...
• Questions without Notice (0 speeches)
  • Employment (27 speeches)
    My question is to the Minister for Employment, Senator Cash. I refer to the minister's statement in question time yesterday that the free trade agreements with China, Japan and Korea would...
  • Telecommunications Data Retention (8 speeches)
    My question is to Senator Brandis in his capacity as Attorney-General. Senator Brandis, today was meant to be the day that the $300 million Turnbull-Shorten mandatory data retention scheme came...
  • Trans-Pacific Partnership Agreement (6 speeches)
    My question is to Senator Cormann, the Minister for Finance, representing the Treasurer. Can the minister advise the Senate why the Trans-Pacific Partnership Agreement is so important for...
  • Budget (6 speeches)
    My question is to the Minister for Women, Senator Cash. Does the minister stand by her claim that there has been a 'false and misleading campaign' by community legal services following the...
  • Trans-Pacific Partnership Agreement (8 speeches)
    My question is to the Cabinet Secretary, Senator Sinodinos, representing the Minister for Trade and Investment. Will the Cabinet Secretary update the Senate on the next steps in the process for...
  • China (13 speeches)
    My question is to the Leader of the Government in the Senate, Senator Brandis. I refer the minister to a recent ABC Four Corners report which said: But there are hidden dangers in doing business...
  • Workplace Relations (15 speeches)
    My question is to the Minister for Employment, Senator Cash. Does the minister support cuts to weekend penalty rates?
  • Trade (7 speeches)
    Mr President, my question is to the new Minister for Communications, Senator Fifield. Will the minister advise the Senate how digital industries stand to benefit from the government's free-trade...
• Questions without Notice: Additional Answers (0 speeches)
  • Telecommunications Data Retention (1 speech)
    I rise to correct an answer I gave to Senator Ludlam. Senator Ludlam, you asked what the government's intentions were in relation to legislation for a mandatory data breach notification scheme....
  • Employment (1 speech)
    I also would like to correct a statement that I made in answer to a question yesterday. I advise the Senate that yesterday I did quote a figure relating to jobs growth arising from the free trade...
• Questions without Notice: Take Note of Answers (0 speeches)
  • Employment (7 speeches)
    I move: That the Senate take note of the answers given by Senator Cash to questions asked by opposition senators today relating to employment. Isn't it amazing that we have already had a...
  • China (1 speech)
    I move: That the Senate take note of the answers given by the Attorney-General (Senator Brandis) to questions without notice asked by Senator Lambie today, relating to Chinese government...
• Notices (0 speeches)
  • Withdrawal (5 speeches)
    Pursuant to notice given on 12 October 2015, I withdraw business of the Senate notice of motion No. 2 standing in my name for 12 sitting days after today for the disallowance of the Migration...
• Business (0 speeches)
  • Leave of Absence (1 speech)
    by leave—I move: That leave of absence for the remainder of this week, 13 to 15 October 2015, be granted to Senator Sterle, for parliamentary duties, and to Senator Bilyk for personal...
• Committees (0 speeches)
  • Education and Employment References Committee, Environment and Communications References Committee, Legal and Constitutional Affairs References Committee; Reporting Date (1 speech)
    Does any senator wish to have the motion put on any of those three matters? There being none, we will now proceed.
• Motions (0 speeches)
  • International Day of the Girl Child (1 speech)
    I move: That the Senate— (a) notes that: (i) Sunday, 11 October, is internationally recognised as the Day of the Girl, (ii) Day of the Girl has worked to assist girls all over the world in...
  • National Carers Week 2015 (1 speech)
    I, and also on behalf of Senator Siewert, move: That the Senate— (a) notes that: (i) National Carers Week 2015 will run from Sunday, 11 October, until Saturday, 17 October, to recognise and...
  • Royal Queensland Bush Children's Health Scheme (1 speech)
    I move: That the Senate— (a) notes that: (i) BUSHkids, is the Royal Queensland Bush Children's Health Scheme, which has provided and continues to provide the children of rural Queensland...
  • National Rugby League (25 speeches)
    Mr President, before I ask that the notice of motion be taken as formal, can I indicate that my fellow North Queensland senator, Senator Jan McLucas, a loyal and unrefined Cowboys supporter, as I...
• Bills (0 speeches)
  • Commonwealth Grants Commission Amendment (GST Distribution) Bill 2015; First Reading (1 speech)
    I move: That the following bill be introduced: A Bill for an Act to amend the Commonwealth Grants Commission Act 1973, and for related purposes. Commonwealth Grants Commission Amendment (GST...
  • Commonwealth Grants Commission Amendment (GST Distribution) 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 this bill. Leave granted. I table an explanatory memorandum, and I seek leave to have...
• Motions (0 speeches)
  • United Nations Summit 2015 (1 speech)
    I, and also on behalf of Senator Bilyk, move: That the Senate— (a) notes that: (i) the United Nations (UN) summit for the adoption of the post 2015 development agenda took place from 25...
  • Ride Sharing Services (4 speeches)
    I move: That the Senate— (a) notes the range of issues currently being experienced across the country in relation to the operation of UBER, including allegations of acts of violence and...
  • Nous Group (4 speeches)
    I ask that general business notice of motion No. 883 relating to the order for the production of documents concerning the Nous Group be taken as a formal motion.
  • Suspension of Standing Orders (10 speeches)
    Subject to contingent notice of motion, I move: That so much of the standing orders be suspended to allow consideration of the measure contained in motion 883. This is a fairly straightforward...
  • Trans-Pacific Partnership Agreement (5 speeches)
    Before I proceed, I ask that the name of Senator Wang be added to the motion. I, and also on behalf of Senators Lazarus, Muir, Whish-Wilson and Wang, move: That the Senate— (a) notes that:...
  • East West Link (5 speeches)
    I move: That the Senate— (a) notes that: (i) Australia suffered a severe underfunding of public transport under the Abbott Government, (ii) the former Prime Minister, Mr Abbott, labelled...
  • Live Animal Exports (8 speeches)
    I move: That the Senate notes: (a) the approval of Port Alma as a live cattle export facility; (b) the benefits of providing new export options to producers and the cattle industry in central...
• Committees (0 speeches)
  • Economics Legislation Committee; Additional Information (1 speech)
    On behalf of the Chair of the Economics Legislation Committee, I present additional information received by the committee on its inquiry into the provisions of the Asian Infrastructure Investment...
  • 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 28th report of the 44th Parliament, the Human rights scrutiny report. Ordered that the report be...
  • 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. 13 of 2015. Ordered that the document be printed.
  • Rural and Regional Affairs and Transport Legislation Committee; Report (2 speeches)
    On behalf of Senator Sterle, I present a dissenting report to the report of the Rural and Regional Affairs and Transport Legislation Committee on the provisions of the Shipping Legislation...
• Bills (0 speeches)
  • Landholders' Right to Refuse (Gas and Coal) Bill 2015; Report of Legislation Committee (1 speech)
    by leave—I move: That the Senate take note of the report by the Environment and Communications Legislation Committee into the Landholders' Right to Refuse (Gas and Coal) Bill 2015. The...
• Committees (0 speeches)
  • Environment and Communications Legislation Committee, Legal and Constitutional Affairs References Committee; Membership (1 speech)
    by leave—I move: That senators be discharged from and appointed to committees as follows: Environment and Communications Legislation Committee— Appointed—Substitute member:...
• Bills (0 speeches)
  • Australian Immunisation Register Bill 2015, Australian Immunisation Register (Consequential and Transitional Provisions) 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.
  • Australian Immunisation Register Bill 2015, Australian Immunisation Register (Consequential and Transitional Provisions) Bill 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— AUSTRALIAN...
• Committees (0 speeches)
  • Joint Select Committee on Trade and Investment Growth; Appointment (1 speech)
    by leave—I move: That the Senate concurs with the resolution of the House of Representatives varying the resolution of the appointment of the Joint Select Committee on Trade and Investment...
• Bills (0 speeches)
  • Social Security Legislation Amendment (Debit Card Trial) Bill 2015; Second Reading (10 speeches)
    As I was saying in my previous contribution to this debate on the Social Security Legislation Amendment (Debit Card Trial) Bill 2015, this is a really important trial, and to make a trial...
• First Speech (0 speeches)
  • (2 speeches)
    Order! Before I call Senator Simms to make his first speech, I remind senators of the usual conventions and courtesies in relation to first speeches. I have great pleasure in calling Senator Simms.
• Bills (0 speeches)
  • Social Security Legislation Amendment (Debit Card Trial) Bill 2015; Second Reading (6 speeches)
    I am pleased to be supporting the Social Security Legislation Amendment (Debit Card Trial) Bill 2015. This bill is absolutely critical to finding ways to deal with social harm, particularly...
• Adjournment (0 speeches)
  • Parkinson's Disease (1 speech)
    I rise to speak about an important report that was released recently titled Living with Parkinson's disease: an updated economic analysis. As the Deputy Convenor of the Parliamentary Friends of...
  • Motorcycle Helmets (1 speech)
    I rise to make some short comments pertaining to motorcycle crash helmets for use on public roads in Australia. The crash helmet is the most important part of motorcycle protective...
  • Turnbull Government, Aged Care (1 speech)
    I rise tonight because I think it is important to acknowledge that, Mr Turnbull having knifed Tony Abbott and becoming the new Prime Minister, he announced his ministry, but once again, in the...
  • Workplace Relations (1 speech)
    Tonight I rise in Anti-Poverty Week to talk about women's wages in this country and about the gap between men's and women's wages under the Abbott-Turnbull government that is growing and growing...
  • Sustainable Development Goals (1 speech)
    Earlier this week I was very pleased to receive a delegation of people—mostly very young people—associated with the Micah Challenge. The Micah Challenge is an organisation dedicated...
  • National Day of Unity (1 speech)
    Today I rise to celebrate and mark the launch of National Day of Unity, a day that brings together political leaders, community leaders and faith leaders to stand for a modern, inclusive...
  • Sport (1 speech)
    I rise tonight to speak about the amazing sporting achievements of Australians in recent weeks, as well as the superb efforts of some Aboriginal athletes who have achieved at the highest level...
  • Australian Greens (1 speech)
    I rise tonight to speak about part of the Australian Greens' vision for a caring society. We the Australian Greens believe in a caring society, not a dog-eat-dog competition where everybody looks...
  • Assisted Suicide (1 speech)
    In 1997, Kevin Andrews succeeded in pushing a private member's bill through federal parliament. It overturned the first legislation permitting assisted suicide in Australia, enacted in the...
  • Environment (1 speech)
    We are blessed in this country to have some of the most beautiful forests and national parks in the world, and in the past three weeks I have been fortunate to tour some of them. From Helms...
  • Timor-Leste (1 speech)
    Tonight I rise to commemorate the 40th anniversary of the murders of Gary Cunningham, Brian Peters, Malcolm Rennie, Greg Shackleton, Tony Stewart and Roger East. The first five were murdered in...
  • Parliamentary Delegation to Indonesia (1 speech)
    I rise this evening to report to the Senate on a parliamentary delegation that I had the pleasure of leading two weeks ago to Indonesia, with my colleague Senator Urquhart, who is opposite us,...
  • Trans-Pacific Partnership Agreement (1 speech)
    The Trans-Pacific Partnership agreement, concluded in Atlanta this week, is a historic deal. It is the first major multilateral trade deal to be concluded in more than 20 years. The Minister for...
  • Road Infrastructure, Forestry (1 speech)
    Tonight I wish to discuss an issue of great concern to communities in Sydney that are located near the current WestConnex construction sites in Sydney's inner and western suburbs. This...
  • International Day of the Girl Child (1 speech)
    Sunday, 11 October was the International Day of the Girl Child, an opportunity to recognise the rights of girls all over the world and in particular the unique challenges that they face. Since on...