Senate debates

Thursday, 17 March 2016

• Committees (0 speeches)
  • Environment and Communications References Committee; Meeting (1 speech)
    Does any senator wish to have that motion put? There is none.
• Statement by the President (0 speeches)
  • Photography in the Senate (3 speeches)
    I indicated to the Senate yesterday that I had had a request from the media in relation to photography in the chamber. I indicated that I would bring that proposal again back to the Senate so...
• Business (0 speeches)
  • Rearrangement (16 speeches)
    I seek leave to move a motion to vary the resolution of 15 March 2016 relating to the hours of meeting and routine of business. Leave not granted. Pursuant to contingent notice, I move: That so...
• Bills (0 speeches)
  • Social Security Amendment (Diabetes Support) Bill 2016; Second Reading (4 speeches)
    Due to the confusion in the Senate in the lead-up to this sitting period there was uncertainty as to whether the Social Security Amendment (Diabetes Support) Bill 2016 was going to have an...
  • Marriage Equality Amendment Bill 2013; Second Reading (39 speeches, 1 comment)
    I am so proud to be standing here today to debate the Marriage Equality Amendment Bill 2013, and proud to be a member of a loving same-sex couple who was legally married in Australia. Voting for...
• Notices (0 speeches)
  • Withdrawal (1 speech)
    Pursuant to notice given on 16 March 2016, I withdraw business of the Senate notices of motion Nos 1 and 2 standing in my name for 10 May 2016, the next day of sitting, proposing the disallowance...
• Petitions (0 speeches)
  • (1 speech)
    by leave—I table two non-conforming petitions. One relates to the anti-nuclear dump at Hill End. The other one is slightly different but in the same place; it relates to the Central West...
• Committees (0 speeches)
  • Selection of Bills Committee; Report (1 speech)
    I present the fourth report of 2016 for the Selection of Bills Committee and I seek leave to have the report incorporated in Hansard. Leave granted. Ordered that the report be adopted. I seek...
• Personal Explanations (0 speeches)
  • (4 speeches)
    I seek leave to correct the record. Leave granted. In a speech I gave to this chamber two weeks ago, I stated that the Labor Party supported the invasion of Iraq. Of course, what I meant to say...
• Notices (0 speeches)
  • Withdrawal (1 speech)
    I have acknowledged that Senator Di Natale has now corrected the record, and with that in mind I now withdraw my motion in that regard. It is general business notice of motion No. 1097.
• Business (0 speeches)
  • Rearrangement (2 speeches)
    In what I am sure some will think represents a triumph of hope over experience, I move: That— (a) government business order of the day no. 8 (Migration Legislation Amendment (Cessation of...
• Committees (0 speeches)
  • Education and Employment Legislation Committee, Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade References Committee; Reporting Date (4 speeches)
    Does any senator wish the question to be put separately on any of those proposals?
• Business (0 speeches)
  • Days and Hours of Meeting (1 speech)
    I move: That the hours of meeting for Tuesday, 10 May 2016 be from 12.30 pm to 6.30 pm and 8.30 pm to adjournment, and for Thursday, 12 May 2016 be from 9.30 am to 6 pm and 8 pm to adjournment,...
• Motions (0 speeches)
  • Battle of Pozieres (1 speech)
    I move: That the Senate— (a)   acknowledges that: (i)   23 July 2016 marks the centenary of Australia's participation in the Battle of Pozieres,...
• Committees (0 speeches)
  • Environment and Communications References Committee; Reference (4 speeches)
    At the request of Senator McKim, I move: That the following matter be referred to the Environment and Communications References Committee for inquiry and report by 30 May 2016: The response to,...
• Motions (0 speeches)
  • Yellow Crazy Ants (9 speeches)
    I move: That the Senate— (a)   recognises the damaging impact of yellow crazy ants in northern Queensland on: (i)   rainforests, including a 60 hectare World...
• Committees (0 speeches)
  • Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade References Committee; Reference (4 speeches)
    At the request of Senator Gallacher, I move: That the following matter be referred to the Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade References Committee for inquiry and report by 11 May 2016: The...
• Motions (0 speeches)
  • Climate Change (5 speeches)
    I move: That the Senate— (a)   notes that: (i)   the Chief Scientist, Dr Alan Finkel, stated on the Australian Broadcasting Corporation's Q&A program that...
  • Carbon Pollution Reduction Scheme (5 speeches, 1 comment)
    I move: That the Senate— (a)   recalls the decision of the Australian Greens to vote with the Liberal and National parties to oppose the introduction of the Carbon Pollution...
  • Daniel Morcombe Foundation (8 speeches)
    I move: That the Senate— (a)   notes that: (i)   the Daniel Morcombe Foundation was established as a lasting legacy to Daniel by parents Bruce and Denise...
• Bills (0 speeches)
  • Commonwealth Electoral Amendment Bill 2016; Second Reading (17 speeches)
    Continuing on from my contribution last night on the Commonwealth Electoral Amendment Bill 2016, I was talking about the concern about the process and the division now in this place. Around the...
• Questions without Notice (0 speeches)
  • Shenhua Watermark Coalmine (6 speeches)
    My question is to the Minister representing the Minister for Agriculture, Senator Colbeck. I refer to the statement by the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Agriculture last week on the...
  • Turnbull Government (6 speeches)
    My question is to the Leader of the Government in the Senate, representing the Prime Minister, Senator Brandis. Can the Leader of the Government in the Senate update the Senate on recent...
  • Effects Test (12 speeches)
    My question is to Senator Brandis, the Minister representing the Prime Minister. I refer to the Turnbull government's backflip to support an effects test. I also refer to a report in The...
  • Climate Change (8 speeches)
    My question is to the Minister representing the Prime Minister, Senator Brandis. Twenty fourteen was the hottest year on record, and then 2015 trumped it. Now 2016 is looking to smash that, with...
  • Member for Fadden (7 speeches)
    My question is to the Minister representing the Prime Minister, Senator Brandis. Can the minister confirm that a former member of Mr Turnbull's ministry, Mr Stuart Robert, is the subject of an...
  • Defence Procurement (10 speeches)
    My question is to the Minister for Finance in his capacity as the sole shareholder minister in ASC Pty Ltd. I note the ASC is a government business enterprise which operates in accordance with...
  • Economy (6 speeches)
    My question is also to the Minister for Finance, Senator Cormann, representing the Treasurer. Will the minister update the Senate on progress in building a stronger, more prosperous economy?
  • Financial Services (12 speeches)
    My question is to the Minister representing the Prime Minister, Senator Brandis. In 2014, the Senate economics committee recommended a royal commission into the financial advice scandal at the...
  • Housing Affordability (14 speeches)
    My question is to the Minister representing the Treasurer, Senator Cormann, and relates to housing affordability. Is the minister aware that on house price to income ratios Sydney is now the...
  • Workplace Relations (13 speeches)
    My question is the Minister for Employment, Senator Cash. Will the minister update the Senate on recent incidents of lawlessness in Australia's construction sector?
  • Vocational Education and Training (6 speeches)
    My question is to the Minister for Vocational Education and Skills, Senator Ryan. Is the minister aware of the comments made by the Liberal member for Robertson on NBN News on 10 March 2016: The...
  • Defence Procurement (9 speeches)
    That was so embarrassing for Senator Carr, wasn't it? My question is to the Minister for Defence, Senator Payne. Would the minister be kind enough to update the Senate on the development of a...
• Questions without Notice: Additional Answers (0 speeches)
  • Shenhua Watermark Coalmine (13 speeches)
    I indicated to Senator Sterle that if there was any further information I could get in relation to his question, I would come back to the chamber. I have had the opportunity to review the Deputy...
• Questions without Notice: Take Note of Answers (0 speeches)
  • Housing Affordability (5 speeches)
    I move: That the Senate take note of the answer given by the Minister for Finance (Senator Cormann) to a question without notice asked by Senator Gallagher today relating to housing...
  • Financial Services (1 speech)
    I move: That the Senate take note of the answer given by the Attorney-General (Senator Brandis) to a question without notice asked by Senator Whish-Wilson today relating to the financial services...
• Delegation Reports (0 speeches)
  • Parliamentary Delegation to the United Kingdom and Germany (1 speech)
    by leave—I present the report of the Australian parliamentary delegation to the United Kingdom and Germany, which took place from 26 October to 5 November 2015. I seek leave to note the...
• Committees (0 speeches)
  • Public Accounts and Audit Committee (1 speech)
    I seek leave to make a statement relating to the decision of the Joint Committee of Public Accounts and Audit on the appointment of the Parliamentary Budget Officer. Leave granted. As the...
  • National Disability Insurance Scheme, Joint Select Committee on Trade and Investment Growth; Government Response to Report (1 speech)
    I present two government responses to committee reports as listed on today’s Order of Business. In accordance with the usual practice, I seek leave to incorporate the documents in Hansard....
  • National Disability Insurance Scheme, Joint Select Committee on Trade and Investment Growth; Report (1 speech)
    Pursuant to order and at the request of the chairs of the respective committees, I present reports as listed at items 12 and 16 on today's Order of Business as well as Report No. 3 of 2016 of the...
  • Human Rights Committee; Report (1 speech)
    by leave—I move: That the Senate take note of the report. I seek leave to continue my remarks later. Leave granted; debate adjourned.
  • Joint Standing Committee on Treaties; Report (1 speech)
    by leave—I move: That the Senate take note of the reports. I seek leave to continue my remarks later. Leave granted; debate adjourned.
  • Joint Standing Committee on National Capital and External Territories; Report (1 speech)
    by leave—I move: That the Senate take note of the report. On behalf of the Joint Standing Committee on the National Capital and External Territories, I present the committee's final report...
  • Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade References Committee; Report (1 speech)
    I move: That the Senate take note of the report. I am pleased to table this report of the Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade References Committee into mental health of Australian Defence Force...
  • Finance and Public Administration References Committee; Report (3 speeches)
    I move: That the Senate take note of the report. I rise to speak to the Finance and Public Administration References Committee's inquiry into the Indigenous Advancement Strategy Tendering Process...
  • Environment and Communications Legislation Committee; Report (2 speeches)
    I rise to speak on the Environment and Communications Legislation Committee additional estimates report. There is a number of areas that the committee touches on in this. Within this committee we...
• Bills (0 speeches)
  • Commonwealth Electoral Amendment Bill 2016; Second Reading (12 speeches)
    The crossbench senators certainly have their differences and I would argue that even though there is only a relatively small number of us, we are a true broad church. But we do have one thing in...
  • Commonwealth Electoral Amendment Bill 2016; Reference to Committee (31 speeches)
    Pursuant to standing order 115(2)(a) I move: That the Commonwealth Electoral Amendment Bill 2016 be referred to the Finance and Public Administration Legislation Committee for inquiry and report...
  • Commonwealth Electoral Amendment Bill 2016; In Committee (623 speeches)
    In that brief moment we had earlier in addressing some of the arguments for why this bill has not been adequately considered, I indicated that it is very unfortunate that proper consideration of...
  • Commonwealth Electoral Amendment Bill 2016; Adoption of Report (1 speech)
    I move: That the report from the committee be adopted.
  • Commonwealth Electoral Amendment Bill 2016; Third Reading (8 speeches)
    I move: That this bill be now read a third time. In moving the third reading of this bill, may I thank all senators who have participated in this debate for their contributions. This, it is fair...
  • Appropriation Bill (No. 3) 2015-2016, Appropriation Bill (No. 4) 2015-2016; Second Reading (15 speeches)
    I rise to talk to the Appropriation Bill (No. 3) 2015-2016 and the Appropriation Bill (No. 4) 2015-2016 on behalf of the opposition. At the outset— A government senator: Just support it and...
  • Appropriation Bill (No. 3) 2015-2016, Appropriation Bill (No. 4) 2015-2016; Third Reading (1 speech)
    The question now is that the bills be read a third time. Question agreed to. Bills read a third time.
  • Dairy Produce Amendment (Dairy Service Levy Poll) Bill 2016; Second Reading (3 speeches)
    Before we adjourned on this Dairy Produce Amendment (Dairy Service Levy Poll) Bill 2016 some time ago, I was talking about the incredible contribution of the dairy industry to my home state and...
  • Dairy Produce Amendment (Dairy Service Levy Poll) Bill 2016; 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.
  • Trade Legislation Amendment Bill (No. 1) 2016; Second Reading (3 speeches)
    Labor supports the passage of the Trade Legislation Amendment Bill (No.1) 2016. The dual purpose of this bill is to make a number of minor and technical changes to the Export Market Development...
  • Trade Legislation Amendment Bill (No. 1) 2016; 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.
  • Law and Justice Legislation Amendment (Northern Territory Local Court) Bill 2016; Second Reading (2 speeches)
    I note the opposition supports this bill. With the support of the government, I seek leave to incorporate the opposition's second reading speech. Leave granted. The speech read as follows—...
  • Law and Justice Legislation Amendment (Northern Territory Local Court) Bill 2016; 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.
  • Biological Control Amendment Bill 2016; Second Reading (2 speeches)
    I note the opposition supports this bill and I seek leave to incorporate the opposition's second reading speech in Hansard to facilitate proceedings in the chamber this evening. Leave granted....
  • Biological Control Amendment Bill 2016; 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.
  • Territories Legislation Amendment Bill 2016, Passenger Movement Charge Amendment (Norfolk Island) Bill 2016; Second Reading (2 speeches)
    I note the opposition supports these bills and I seek leave to incorporate the opposition's second reading speech in Hansard to facilitate proceedings in the chamber this evening. Leave granted....
  • Territories Legislation Amendment Bill 2016, Passenger Movement Charge Amendment (Norfolk Island) Bill 2016; 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.
  • Migration Legislation Amendment (Cessation of Visa Labels) Bill 2015; Second Reading (2 speeches)
    I note the opposition supports this bill and I seek leave to incorporate the opposition's second reading speech in Hansard to facilitate proceedings in the chamber this evening. Leave granted....
  • Migration Legislation Amendment (Cessation of Visa Labels) Bill 2015; Third Reading (2 speeches)
    As there have been no amendments circulated in the chamber, unless any senator wishes to move into committee, I propose to call the minister.
• Committees (0 speeches)
  • Membership (2 speeches)
    I have received letters requesting changes in the membership of various committees.
• Bills (0 speeches)
  • Primary Industries Levies and Charges Collection Amendment Bill 2016; 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.
  • Primary Industries Levies and Charges Collection Amendment Bill 2016; 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— PRIMARY INDUSTRIES...
  • Social Services Legislation Amendment (Enhanced Welfare Payment Integrity) Bill 2016, Social Services Legislation Amendment (Interest Charge) Bill 2016; First Reading (1 speech)
    I indicate to the Senate that 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...
  • Social Services Legislation Amendment (Enhanced Welfare Payment Integrity) Bill 2016, Social Services Legislation Amendment (Interest Charge) Bill 2016; 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— SOCIAL SERVICES...
• Ministerial Statements (0 speeches)
  • Malaysia Airlines Flight MH370 (1 speech)
    On behalf of the Minister for Infrastructure and Transport, Mr Chester, I table a ministerial statement to mark the second anniversary of the disappearance of Malaysia Airlines Flight MH370.
• Bills (0 speeches)
  • Australian Crime Commission Amendment (National Policing Information) Bill 2015; Explanatory Memorandum (1 speech)
    I table an addendum to the explanatory memorandum relating to the Australian Crime Commission Amendment (National Policing Information) Bill 2015.
• Documents (0 speeches)
  • Infrastructure Investment Program, Defence Procurement, Education Funding; Order for the Production of Documents (1 speech)
    I table documents relating to the orders for the production of documents concerning the communications campaign, the submarines tender process and the indexation of school funding.
• Adjournment (0 speeches)
  • (0 speeches)
  • Leave of Absence (5 speeches)
    I move: That leave of absence be granted to every member of the Senate from the end of the sitting today to the day on which the Senate next meets.