Senate debates

Wednesday, 14 October 2015

• Committees (0 speeches)
  • Joint Standing Committee on Treaties; Meeting (1 speech)
    Does any senator wish to have that question put? There being no request to do so, we will proceed to business.
• Bills (0 speeches)
  • Social Security Legislation Amendment (Debit Card Trial) Bill 2015; Second Reading (3 speeches)
    I rise to speak on the Social Security Legislation Amendment (Debit Card Trial) Bill 2015. The bill seeks to amend the social security law to enable a trial phase of new cashless welfare...
  • Social Security Legislation Amendment (Debit Card Trial) Bill 2015; In Committee (291 speeches)
    I have a series of questions that I would like to ask, and I know that Senator Xenophon does to, so perhaps we can explore things topic by topic. The government has committed $1 million in...
• Statements by Senators (0 speeches)
  • Coal Industry (1 speech)
    A couple of weeks ago, the Leader of the Greens, Senator Di Natale, gave a nationally televised address to the National Press Club. He said that one of Australia's most important wealth- and...
  • Taxation (1 speech)
    I rise to speak to you today about the issue of tax transparency, but I want to talk to you about a house, an impressive, five-storey homestead, a place amongst the palm trees with the waves...
  • Tasmania: World Heritage Areas (1 speech)
    I rise today to congratulate Senator Richard Colbeck on his appointment as Minister for Tourism and Minister for International Education. I have written to Minister Colbeck to that effect,...
  • Western Australia: Kimberley Region (3 speeches)
    During the break I had the opportunity to visit the far north of my home state of Western Australia—indeed the far north of our country—where I was able to see firsthand how...
  • Urban Planning (1 speech)
    I rise to highlight the importance of our cities in Australia and the statement of the shadow minister for cities, Anthony Albanese, that cities matter. What is more, the liveability and quality...
  • Freedom of Speech (7 speeches)
    A plague of political correctness seems to be sweeping this country, seeking to push out of the public arena those who the ruling elites do not agree with. When in opposition, those who are now...
  • National Australia Bank (8 speeches)
    Senator Day, you have convinced me, and I will be supporting your bill. On 8 September, amongst the other very wise words that I spoke in debating the Banking Laws Amendment (Unclaimed Money)...
  • Migration (1 speech)
    I rise this afternoon to call on the Turnbull government to grant visa amnesty to the staff and former employees of the 7-Eleven franchise group to enable those workers or former workers to come...
  • Anti-Poverty Week (2 speeches)
    It is Anti-Poverty Week this week, and we have seen a number of events across the country. I know that many of those who help the poorest and most disadvantaged in our community have been in the...
• Questions without Notice (0 speeches)
  • Broadband (9 speeches)
    My question is to the Minister for Communications, Senator Fifield. Can the minister confirm that the latest NBN corporate plan makes clear that under the previous Minister for Communications the...
• Distinguished Visitors (0 speeches)
  • (1 speech)
    I want to draw attention to the honourable senators the presence in the gallery today of former president of the Senate Alan Ferguson with the Australian Political Exchange Council's 32nd...
• Questions without Notice (0 speeches)
  • Malaysia Airlines Flight MH17 (6 speeches)
    My question is to the Leader of the Government in the Senate representing the Minister for Foreign Affairs, Senator Brandis. Will the Attorney-General update the Senate on the release of the...
  • Public Transport (14 speeches)
    My question is to the Minister representing the Minister for Infrastructure and Regional Development, Senator Colbeck. Minister, when will the government restore the former Labor government's...
  • National Security (8 speeches)
    My question is to Senator Brandis, the Attorney-General and the Minister representing the Prime Minister. Attorney, I refer to your latest announcement that the government plans to make control...
  • Economy (6 speeches)
    My question is to Senator Cormann, the Minister representing the Treasurer. Can the minister please update the Senate on the economic outlook for Australia?
  • Allied Health Scholarships (11 speeches)
    My question without notice is to the Minister for Rural Health, Minister Nash. The minister would be aware of the valuable support and policy work carried out by the Services for Australian Rural...
  • China-Australia Free Trade Agreement (6 speeches)
    My question is to the Cabinet Secretary representing the Minister for Trade and Investment. Will the cabinet secretary please tell the Senate why the China-Australia Free Trade Agreement is in...
  • Water (7 speeches)
    My questions is to Senator Colbeck, the Minister representing the Minister for Agriculture and Water Resources. Annual allocation of water, known as temporary water, is now being sold in...
  • Prime Minister (8 speeches)
    My question is to the Cabinet Secretary, Senator Sinodinos. Senator, does the cabinet handbook require ministers attending cabinet meetings to declare any pecuniary interests held by them or...
  • Tasmania: Tourism (10 speeches)
    My question is to the Minister for Tourism and International Education. I note that the popular Flavours of Tasmania event will be held in the great hall this evening. Will the minister update...
  • Research and Development (6 speeches)
    My question is to Senator Sinodinos, the Minister representing the Minister for Industry, Innovation and Science. Is it still government policy to cut the research and development tax incentive...
  • Child Care (6 speeches)
    My question is to the Minister for Education and Training. Will the minister update the Senate on how the government is delivering flexibility for parents who need child care that meets their...
  • Economy (9 speeches)
    My question is to the Minister for Finance, Senator Cormann. Is the new Treasurer, Mr Morrison, right to say that under this finance minister spending as a percentage of GDP is at 26 per cent and...
• Questions without Notice: Take Note of Answers (0 speeches)
  • Broadband (13 speeches)
    I move: That the Senate take note of the answers given by Senator Fifield to questions asked today by Senator McAllister relating to the National Broadband Network. We know that recently there...
  • National Security (7 speeches)
    I move: That the Senate take note of answers given by the Attorney-General (Senator Brandis) to questions without notice asked today by Senator McKim relating to control orders. I asked Senator...
• Parliamentary Office Holders (0 speeches)
  • Temporary Chairmen of Committees (1 speech)
    Pursuant to standing order 12, I lay on the table warrants nominating Senators Ketter and Reynolds as additional Temporary Chairs of Committees when the Deputy President and the Chair of...
• Notices (0 speeches)
  • Withdrawal (1 speech)
    Pursuant to notice given on 13 October 2015, I withdraw business of the Senate notice of motion No. 1 standing in my name for today for the disallowance of the Financial Framework (Supplementary...
• Business (0 speeches)
  • Leave of Absence (1 speech)
    by leave—I move: That leave of absence be granted for personal reasons to Senator Cameron for today, 14 October 2015, and to Senator Bullock for tomorrow, 15 October 2015. Question agreed to.
• Bills (0 speeches)
  • Defence Legislation Amendment (First Principles) Bill 2015; First Reading (1 speech)
    I move: That the following bill be introduced: A Bill for an Act to amend legislation relating to Defence, and for related purposes. Defence Legislation Amendment (First Principles) Bill 2015....
  • Defence Legislation Amendment (First Principles) Bill 2015; Second Reading (1 speech)
    I table the explanatory memorandum relating to the bill and I move: That this bill be now read a second time. I seek leave to have the second reading speech incorporated in Hansard. Leave...
• Motions (0 speeches)
  • Goods and Services Tax (4 speeches)
    I move: That the Senate— (a) notes the volatility of commodity prices and how badly this has impacted on Western Australia; and (b) calls on the Government and the Parliament to show...
  • Community Legal Centres (4 speeches)
    I seek leave to amend general business notice of motion No. 895, standing in my name for today, by substituting the word 'notes' for 'supports' in paragraph (e). Leave granted. I move the motion...
  • Infrastructure (6 speeches)
    I move: That the Senate notes: (a) the Commonwealth Government is investing $50 billion in infrastructure; (b) that as part of the Government's investment in infrastructure, it has committed to...
  • Anti-Poverty Week (5 speeches)
    I move: That the Senate— (a) notes that:      (i) the week beginning 11 October 2015 is Anti-Poverty Week,      (ii) the main aims of...
• Matters of Public Importance (0 speeches)
  • (39 speeches)
    A letter has been received from Senator Moore: Pursuant to standing order 75, I propose that the following matter of public importance be submitted to the Senate for discussion: The Turnbull...
• Committees (0 speeches)
  • Finance and Public Administration Legislation Committee; Government Response to Report (1 speech)
    On behalf of the president, I table a response to the report of the Finance and Public Administration Legislation Committee on its inquiry into the Department of Parliamentary Services.
  • Rural and Regional Affairs and Transport Legislation Committee; Additional Information (1 speech)
    On behalf of the Chair of the Rural and Regional Affairs and Transport Legislation Committee, I present additional information received by the committee on its inquiry into the provisions of the...
  • Scrutiny of Bills Committee; Report (1 speech)
    On behalf of the Chair of the Scrutiny of Bills Committee, I present the report on the 11th report and alert digest No. 11 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 Twenty-ninth Report of the 44th Parliament: Human Rights Scrutiny Report. Ordered that the report be...
  • Education and Employment References Committee; Report (1 speech)
    I present an interim report of the Education and Employment References Committee on Australia’s temporary work visa programs together with the Hansard record of proceedings and documents...
  • Education and Employment References Committee; Membership (2 speeches)
    The President has received letters requesting changes in the membership of committees.
• Bills (0 speeches)
  • Customs Depot Licensing Charges Amendment Bill 2015, Customs Amendment (Fees and Charges) Bill 2015, Import Processing Charges Amendment 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— CUSTOMS DEPOT...
  • Social Security Legislation Amendment (Further Strengthening Job Seeker Compliance) 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.
  • Social Security Legislation Amendment (Further Strengthening Job Seeker Compliance) Bill 2015; Second Reading (2 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— Today I introduce the...
  • Social Services Legislation Amendment (Cost of Living Concession) Bill 2015, Social Services Legislation Amendment (Low Income Supplement) Bill 2015; First Reading (1 speech)
    These bills are being introduced together. After debate on the motion for the second reading has been adjourned I shall move a motion to have the bills listed separately on the Notice Paper. I...
  • Social Services Legislation Amendment (Cost of Living Concession) Bill 2015, Social Services Legislation Amendment (Low Income Supplement) 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— SOCIAL SERVICES...
• Committees (0 speeches)
  • Economics Legislation Committee; Report (1 speech)
    On behalf of the chair of the Economics Legislation Committee, Senator Edwards, I present the report of the committee on the provisions of the Foreign Acquisitions and Takeovers Legislation...
• Bills (0 speeches)
  • Social Security Legislation Amendment (Debit Card Trial) Bill 2015; In Committee (78 speeches)
    Minister, I want to go back to an issue that we started talking about earlier in the day before going on to other evaluation issues: the issue of when you are looking at the evaluation process....
  • Social Security Legislation Amendment (Debit Card Trial) Bill 2015; Third Reading (4 speeches)
    I move: That this bill be now read a third time.
  • Tax and Superannuation Laws Amendment (Better Targeting the Income Tax Transparency Laws) Bill 2015; Second Reading (20 speeches)
    I rise on behalf of the Australia Labor Party to oppose the Tax and Superannuation Laws Amendment (Better Targeting the Income Tax Transparency Laws) Bill 2015. This bill takes transparency away...
• Adjournment (0 speeches)
  • Environment (1 speech)
    Just briefly on the previous speech by Senator McAllister, on the Tax and Superannuation Laws Amendment (Better Targeting the Income Tax Transparency Laws) Bill 2015. To put it into context: the...
  • Carers (1 speech)
    This week is National Carers Week where we get a chance in the community to show that we care for the carers in our nation. Every year, someone will make a speech about that, but we need to....
  • Tasmania: Fuel Prices (1 speech)
    I recently received a briefing from one of Tasmania's most respected and senior businessmen, Wayne Bould, of the Tasmanian Minerals and Energy Council, who has warned me about a looming crisis in...
  • Middle East, Papua New Guinea and Solomon Islands: Climate Change (1 speech)
    Yesterday I met John Salisbury. John is a retired restaurateur. He arrived in Canberra after leaving the Sydney Opera House on 4 October and walking to Canberra. He walked all that way for...