Senate debates

Thursday, 4 February 2016

• Committees (0 speeches)
  • Environment and Communications Legislation Committee, Legal and Constitutional Affairs References Committee; Meeting (1 speech)
    Does any senator wish to have the question put on any of those motions? There being none, we will move on.
• Questions on Notice (0 speeches)
  • Question Nos 2630, 2631 and 2632 (9 speeches)
    I seek leave to make a short statement relating to Senator Ludlam's request yesterday for a response to questions on notice relating to the Perth Freight Link. Leave granted. I now understand...
• Statements (0 speeches)
  • Glenn Lazarus Team (1 speech)
    by leave—I wish to inform the chamber that I am the leader of the Glenn Lazarus Team.
• Bills (0 speeches)
  • Recognition of Foreign Marriages Bill 2014; Second Reading (17 speeches)
    The bill I rise to speak on today, the Recognition of Foreign Marriages Bill, will end a cruel and draconian feature of Australian law by providing recognition across Australia for same-sex...
• Notices (0 speeches)
  • Withdrawal (1 speech)
    Pursuant to notice given on 3 February 2016, I withdraw business of the Senate notice of motion No. 5 standing in my name for 10 May 2016 proposing the disallowance of the Removal of Prisoners...
• Committees (0 speeches)
  • Selection of Bills Committee; Report (9 speeches)
    I present the first report of 2016 of the Selection of Bills Committee and 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 (a) government business orders of the day as shown on today's order of business be considered from 12.45 pm today; and (b) government business be called on after consideration of the...
• Motions (0 speeches)
  • Asylum Seekers (5 speeches)
    I move: That the Senate calls on the Turnbull Government to grant amnesty to the 267 men, women and children in Australia as part of the M68 High Court challenge, and allow them to stay.
• Committees (0 speeches)
  • Select Committee on School Funding Investment; Appointment (8 speeches)
    I ask that general business notice of motion No. 1021 standing in my name for today, relating to the establishment of a Select Committee on School Funding Investment, be taken as a formal motion.
• Bills (0 speeches)
  • Australian Institute of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Studies Amendment Bill 2015; Second Reading (4 speeches)
    I rise to speak on the Australian Institute of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Studies Amendment Bill 2015. Labor supports this bill, which makes changes to the institute's governance and...
  • Australian Institute of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Studies Amendment Bill 2015; Third Reading (3 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.
  • Amending Acts 1990 to 1999 Repeal Bill 2015, Statute Law Revision Bill (No. 3) 2015; Second Reading (2 speeches)
    The current Prime Minister, Mr Malcolm Turnbull, talks a big game when it comes to 'innovation' and 'agility', but in reality all we get is more of the same from the Turnbull government. Nothing...
  • Amending Acts 1990 to 1999 Repeal Bill 2015, Statute Law Revision Bill (No. 3) 2015; Third Reading (2 speeches)
    As no amendments to the bills have been circulated, I shall call the minister to move the third reading unless any senator requires that the bills be considered in Committee of the Whole.
  • Social Security Legislation Amendment (Further Strengthening Job Seeker Compliance) Bill 2015; Second Reading (3 speeches)
    I am in continuation on the Social Security Legislation Amendment (Further Strengthening Job Seeker Compliance) Bill 2015 and in my earlier speech I was talking about the sorts of programs that...
• Questions without Notice (0 speeches)
  • Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (9 speeches)
    My question is to the Minister representing the Minister for Industry, Innovation and Science, Senator Sinodinos. I refer to the Turnbull government's decision to cut around 200 positions at the...
  • Trade (8 speeches)
    My question is also to the Cabinet Secretary, Senator Sinodinos, representing the Minister for Trade and Investment. Can the Cabinet Secretary outline for the Senate recent developments with the...
  • Goods and Services Tax (15 speeches, 1 comment)
    My question is to the Minister representing the Treasurer, Senator Cormann. I refer to Treasury modelling of GST changes, including an increase of the GST rate to 15 per cent. Can the minister...
  • Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (6 speeches)
    My question is to the Minister representing the Prime Minister, Senator Brandis. The Prime Minister said to the world in Paris that Australia would double investment in clean energy innovation...
  • Defence Procurement (13 speeches)
    My question is to the Minister for Defence, Senator Payne. On 6 June 2014 former defence minister David Johnston announced Navy's two new supply ships would be commissioned from overseas because...
  • Child Care (6 speeches)
    My question is to the Minister for Education and Training, Senator Birmingham. Will the minister advise the Senate on the government's plans to deliver affordable, flexible and accessible child...
  • Home Insulation Program (6 speeches)
    My question is to Senator Sinodinos, the Minister representing the Minister for Industry, Innovation and Science, and it is related to the implementation of the Home Insulation Program Industry...
  • Tasmanian Wilderness World Heritage Area (20 speeches)
    My question is to Senator Birmingham, the Minister representing the Minister for the Environment. Minister, I draw your attention to the numerous fires currently burning within the Tasmanian...
  • Special Minister of State (7 speeches)
    My question is to the Minister representing the Prime Minister, Senator Brandis. I refer to the 1 December 2015 written undertaking from the Special Minister of State, Mr Brough, to the Prime...
  • Building and Construction Industry (9 speeches)
    My question is to the Minister for Employment, Senator Cash. Will the minister advise the Senate of any examples which highlight the importance of restoring the rule of law to the construction sector?
  • Defence Procurement (6 speeches)
    My question is to the Minister for Defence, Senator Payne. I refer to the former Prime Minister's commitment in Adelaide last year that the offshore patrol vessel build: … is likely to...
  • Tourism (12 speeches)
    My question is to the Minister for Tourism and International Education, Senator Colbeck. Can the minister update the Senate on recent efforts by the government to promote Australian tourism to...
• Answers to Questions on Notice (0 speeches)
  • Question Nos 2626, 2794 and 2795 (7 speeches)
    Pursuant to standing order 74(5), I ask the Attorney-General and the minister representing the Minister for Justice, Senator Brandis, for an explanation as to why answers have not yet been...
  • Question No. 2610 (1 speech)
    Mr Deputy President, under standing order 74(5), I seek an explanation from the Minister representing the Minister for Human Services, Senator Payne, as to why question No. 2610, which I placed...
  • Question No. 2646 (6 speeches)
    Mr Deputy President, under standing order 74(5)(a), I seek an explanation from the Minister for Education and Training, Senator Birmingham, as to why question No. 2646, which I placed on notice...
• Questions without Notice: Take Note of Answers (0 speeches)
  • Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation, Goods and Services Tax (12 speeches)
    I move: That the Senate take note of the answers given by the Cabinet Secretary (Senator Sinodinos) and the Minister for Finance (Senator Cormann) to questions without notice asked by Senators...
  • Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation, Tasmanian Wilderness World Heritage Area (1 speech)
    I move: That the Senate take note of the answers given by the Attorney-General (Senator Brandis) and the Minister for Education and Training (Senator Birmingham) to questions without notice asked...
• Statements (0 speeches)
  • Fair Work Building and Construction (1 speech)
    by leave—I take this opportunity to clarify remarks I made in the chamber on Tuesday in relation to the administration of Fair Work Building and Construction. I made it clear on that...
• Budget (0 speeches)
  • Consideration by Estimates Committees (1 speech)
    I present additional information received by committees relating to estimates.
• Committees (0 speeches)
  • Senate Publications Committee; Report (1 speech)
    On behalf of Senator Reynolds, I present the 21st report of the Senate Standing Committee on Publications. Ordered that the report be printed.
  • Economics References Committee; Report (1 speech)
    On behalf of Senator Ketter, I present an interim report of the Senate Standing Committee on Economics entitled Foreign investment review framework. Ordered that the report be printed.
  • Economics References Committee; Reporting Date (1 speech)
    I move: That the Senate adopt the recommendation contained in the interim report to extend the time for the presentation of report of the committee to 8 April 2016. Question agreed to.
  • Economics References Committee; Report (1 speech)
    I move: That the Senate take note of the report. I seek leave to continue my remarks. Leave granted; debate adjourned.
  • Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade References Committee; Report (3 speeches)
    I present the report of the Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade References Committee on contamination caused by firefighting foams at RAAF Base Williamtown and Australian Defence Force facilities,...
  • Government Response to Report (1 speech)
    I present three government responses to committee reports as listed at item 14 on today's Order of Business. In accordance with the usual practice, I seek leave to have the documents incorporated...
• Budget (0 speeches)
  • Proposed Additional Expenditure (1 speech)
    I table particulars of proposed additional expenditure for 2015-16 and seek leave to move a motion to refer the documents to legislative and general purpose standing committees. Leave granted. In...
  • Portfolio Additional Estimates Statements (1 speech)
    I also table the portfolio additional estimates statements 2015-16 in accordance with the list circulated in the chamber: 2015-16 Portfolio Additional Estimates Statements (PAES)
• Committees (0 speeches)
  • Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade References Committee; Government Response to Report (3 speeches)
    I rise to respond to the government's response to the Senate Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade Reference Committee report Australia's future activities and responsibilities in the Southern Ocean...
  • Environment and Communications References Committee; Reference (3 speeches)
    by leave—I move: To amend the motion standing in the names of Senator Xenophon and Senator Simms in today's Notice Paper, to omit the words 'British Petroleum's' and to substitute 'BP's'....
  • Economics References Committee; Reference to Committee (5 speeches)
    How are you, Mr Acting Deputy President?
  • Education and Employment Legislation Committee, Community Affairs Legislation Committee; Report (1 speech)
    Pursuant to order and at the request of the chairs of the respective committees, I present reports on the Fair Work Amendment (Remaining 2014 Measures) Bill 2015 and the Social Services...
• Motions (0 speeches)
  • Goods and Services Tax (19 speeches)
    I move: That the Senate opposes the plan by the Turnbull government to increase the goods and services tax rate to 15 per cent and broaden its base to include fresh food, education and health. I...
• Answers to Questions on Notice (0 speeches)
  • Question Nos 2630, 2631 and 2632 (1 speech)
    by leave—I table answers to questions on notice to the Deputy Prime Minister. They are question Nos 2630, 2631 and 2632.
• Committees (0 speeches)
  • Membership (2 speeches)
    I have received letters requesting changes to the membership of committees.
• Bills (0 speeches)
  • Building and Construction Industry (Improving Productivity) Bill 2013 [No. 2], Building and Construction Industry (Consequential and Transitional Provisions) Bill 2013 [No. 2]; 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.
  • Building and Construction Industry (Improving Productivity) Bill 2013 [No. 2], Building and Construction Industry (Consequential and Transitional Provisions) Bill 2013 [No. 2]; Second Reading (2 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— BUILDING AND...
  • Competition and Consumer Amendment (Payment Surcharges) Bill 2015, Tax and Superannuation Laws Amendment (2015 Measures No. 6) 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...
  • Competition and Consumer Amendment (Payment Surcharges) Bill 2015, Tax and Superannuation Laws Amendment (2015 Measures No. 6) 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— COMPETITION AND...
• Committees (0 speeches)
  • Community Affairs References Committee; Government Response to Report (3 speeches)
    I rise to speak on the government's response to the Senate Community Affairs References Committee report on the inquiry into the Department of Social Services, or DSS, grants. The report was...
  • Legal and Constitutional Affairs References Committee; Report (1 speech)
    I want to talk tonight about the Senate Legal and Constitutional Affairs References Committee's report into the arts and I want to congratulate Minister Fifield on the implementation of the...
  • Economics References Committee; Report (3 speeches)
    I rise to speak briefly to committee report No. 4 from the Economics References Committee entitled I just want to be paid. Insolvency in the Australian construction industry. Unfortunately I was...
• Auditor-General's Reports (0 speeches)
  • Report No. 14 of 2015-16 (1 speech)
    by leave—I move: That the Senate take note of the document. I want to respond to the tabling of the Auditor-General's report Audit Report No. 14 of 2015-16, Approval and Administration of...
• Committees (0 speeches)
  • Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade References Committee; Report (5 speeches)
    I rise to take note of the Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade References Committee report Blind agreement: reforming Australia’s treaty-making process. I rise to take note of this report...
• Adjournment (0 speeches)
  • Cambodia (1 speech)
    Last month I had the extraordinary privilege of spending a week in Cambodia with five of my parliamentary colleagues from the House of Representatives. The visit was designed for us to visit a...
  • Queensland: Drought (1 speech)
    Tonight I rise on this occasion to inform the parliament about the dreadful drought that has hit rural Australia, particularly in areas across my state of Queensland. People should not take too...
  • Coal Seam Gas (3 speeches)
    Today, 4 February 2016, is a historic day. It is a historic day for climate action; it is a historic day for steering Australia to a fossil fuel free future; it is a historic day for creative and...
  • Automotive Industry (1 speech)
    I rise tonight to talk about an issue going on in my home state of South Australia, an issue of vehicle building, car making or whatever you would like. As you would understand—and you have...
  • Additional Estimates 2015-16 (1 speech)
    I remind honourable senators that legislation committees will meet to consider estimates, commencing on Monday, 8 February, at 9 am. Program details will be published on the Senate website....