Senate debates

Wednesday, 9 November 2016

• Committees (0 speeches)
  • National Disability Insurance Scheme; Meeting (1 speech)
    Does any senator wish to have that motion put? There being none, we will now proceed.
• Bills (0 speeches)
  • Counter-Terrorism Legislation Amendment Bill (No. 1) 2016; In Committee (89 speeches)
    I table a supplementary explanatory memorandum relating to the government amendment to be moved to the bill. I move the government amendment on sheet ZA417: (1) Schedule 2, page 10 (after line...
  • Counter-Terrorism Legislation Amendment Bill (No. 1) 2016; Third Reading (1 speech)
    I move: That this bill be now read a third time. Bill read a third time.
  • Broadcasting Legislation Amendment (Television and Radio Licence Fees) Bill 2016; Second Reading (12 speeches)
    The Broadcasting Legislation Licence Fee Bill (2016) proposes to amend the Television Licence Fees Act 1964 and the Radio Licence Fees Act 1964 to reduce the licence fees paid by commercial...
• Statements by Senators (0 speeches)
  • Renewable Energy (6 speeches)
    Mr Acting Deputy President Gallacher, I want to reflect on the circumstance we find ourselves in at the moment in this country, and that is the parlous state with regard to our energy supply and...
  • Griffin Coal (1 speech)
    Today I rise to speak about an issue of significant importance not only to my home state of Western Australia but to workers right across our nation who rely on a strong and fair industrial...
  • Pensions and Benefits (1 speech)
    I rise today to speak about the government's repetitive and continued attacks on those people relying on income support. The latest instalment was the claim, first published in The Australian on...
  • Western Australia: Economy (1 speech)
    Last week, during the break in our sitting commitments here in Canberra, I was very pleased to again use the opportunity to head out into regional Western Australia, this time to Derby, to attend...
  • Member for Robertson (1 speech)
    Those who are listening and those who are watching might not be completely aware of the process of the Senate. They perhaps do not understand the nature of duty electorates, which I understand...
  • Water Desalination Plants (5 speeches)
    As a servant to the people of Queensland and Australia, and having just spent three days with several internationally renowned scientists establishing that no valid empirical evidence exists to...
  • Western Australia: Economy (3 speeches)
    I am one very proud senator for Western Australia. Whilst there are obviously a multitude of reasons for that pride in our great state of Western Australia, we as a state are again doing what we...
  • Building and Construction Industry (2 speeches)
    The building and construction industry right across Australia is a dangerous place to work. The record of deaths and injuries remains unacceptably high, and in my state of Western Australia it is...
• Questions without Notice (0 speeches)
  • Day, Mr Bob, AO (22 speeches)
    My question is to the Minister for Finance, Senator Cormann. I refer to the condition imposed by the government under former Special Minister of State Ronaldson that the heads of agreement and...
• Distinguished Visitors (0 speeches)
  • (3 speeches)
    Order! Could I draw to the attention of honourable senators the presence in the gallery of the Australian Political Exchange Council's 24th Delegation from the People's Republic of China, led by...
• Questions without Notice (0 speeches)
  • Working Holiday Maker Program (8 speeches, 1 comment)
    My question is to the minister representing the Treasurer, Senator Cormann. Why are the government's reforms to the so-called backpacker tax arrangements so important?
  • Attorney-General (22 speeches)
    My question is to the Attorney-General, Senator Brandis. I refer to the Legal and Constitutional Affairs References Committee report tabled in the Senate yesterday, which states that the...
  • Employment (14 speeches)
    Mr President, my question is to the Minister representing the Minister for Social Services, Senator Ryan. On Friday, 28 October, The Australian had an article titled 'Welfare pays more than...
  • Registered Organisations (9 speeches)
    My question is to the Minister for Employment, Senator Cash. It is a policy question, Mr President. Labor senators might like to try it. Can the minister inform the Senate of any activity that...
  • Telecommunications (10 speeches)
    My question is to the Minister for Regional Communications, Senator Nash. In May 2016, the member for Grey, Rowan Ramsey, released a statement which guaranteed that, following a further $60...
  • National Security (8 speeches)
    My question is to the Minister representing the Minister for Immigration and Border Protection. Can the minister advise the Senate what action the government is taking to further strengthen...
  • Working Holiday Maker Program (11 speeches)
    My question is to the Minister representing the Treasurer, Senator Cormann. Twenty years ago both sides of politics agreed that enterprise bargaining was better than government wage setting at...
  • Day, Mr Bob, AO (8 speeches)
    My question is to the Minister for Finance, Senator Cormann. I refer to the minister who, in his very comprehensive statement on Monday, told the Senate that he 'understood at the time that the...
  • Northern Australia (8 speeches)
    My question is to the Minister for Resources and Northern Australia, Senator Canavan. What is the government doing to develop long needed water infrastructure in the too-long neglected area of...
  • Vocational Education and Training (18 speeches)
    My question is to the Minister for Education and Training. I refer to Assistant Minister Karen Andrews, who says that former Senator Day's student builder pilot 'redefines participants as...
  • International Development Assistance (9 speeches)
    My question is to the Minister for International Development and the Pacific, Senator Fierravanti-Wells. Can the minister advise the Senate what the Australian government is doing to strengthen...
• Parliamentary Representation (0 speeches)
  • Qualifications of Senators (1 speech)
    I table copies of my letters to the Principal Registrar of the High Court of Australia transmitting questions and associated proceedings to the Court of Disputed Returns, pursuant to sections 376...
• Questions without Notice: Additional Answers (0 speeches)
  • Vocational Education and Training (1 speech)
    I wish to provide further information in response to a question asked by Senator Cameron during question time. I indicated that I would take on notice and provide details of the exact...
  • High Court of Australia (1 speech)
    On Monday, 12 September Senator Culleton asked me a question concerning section 33 of the High Court of Australia Act and the High Court Rules 2004. I undertook to look into the matter. I made...
• Questions without Notice: Take Note of Answers (0 speeches)
  • Attorney-General (25 speeches)
    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 Pratt today relating to the extent of consultations...
  • Employment (1 speech)
    I move: That the Senate take note of the answer given by the Special Minister of State (Senator Ryan) to a question without notice asked by Senator Siewert today relating to government data...
• Parliamentary Office Holders (0 speeches)
  • Temporary Chairs of Committees (1 speech)
    Pursuant to standing order 12, I lay on the table a warrant revoking the warrant nominating Senator O'Neill as a temporary chair of committees.
• Notices (0 speeches)
  • Presentation (1 speech)
    I give notice of my intention at the giving of notices of the next sitting day to withdraw business of the Senate notice of motion No. 4, standing in my name for 9 February 2017, proposing the...
• Committees (0 speeches)
  • Finance and Public Administration References Committee; Reference (6 speeches)
    At the request of Senator McAllister, I ask that business of the Senate notice of motion No. 3, proposing a reference to the Finance and Public Administration References Committee, be taken as formal.
• Bills (0 speeches)
  • Telecommunications and Other Legislation Amendment Bill 2016; First Reading (1 speech)
    I move: That the following bill be introduced: A Bill for an Act to amend the law relating to telecommunications and for related purposes. Question agreed to. I present the bill and move: That...
  • Telecommunications and Other Legislation Amendment Bill 2016; Second Reading (1 speech)
    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— The Telecommunications...
• Business (0 speeches)
  • Rearrangement (1 speech)
    At the request of Senator Fifield, I move: That consideration of the business before the Senate on Wednesday, 9 November 2016, be interrupted at approximately 5 pm, but not so as to interrupt a...
• Documents (0 speeches)
  • Cashless Debit Card; Order for the Production of Documents (1 speech)
    I move: That there be laid on the table by the Minister representing the Minister for Social Services, on 16 November 2016, all information (including documents and statistics) used in the...
• Committees (0 speeches)
  • Joint Standing Committee on National Capital and External Territories; Meeting (1 speech)
    At the request of Senator Gallagher, I move: That the Joint Standing Committee on the National Capital and External Territories be authorised to hold private meetings otherwise than in accordance...
  • Joint Standing Committee on Migration (1 speech)
    At the request of Senator Back, I move: That the Joint Standing Committee on Migration be authorised to hold private meetings otherwise than in accordance with standing order 33(1) during the...
• Motions (0 speeches)
  • Welcome to Eltham (4 speeches)
    I move: That the Senate recognises the work of the Welcome to Eltham community campaign in Victoria, which has strongly demonstrated the values of generosity and inclusion in their efforts to...
• Documents (0 speeches)
  • Day, Mr Bob, AO; Order for the Production of Documents (5 speeches)
    At the request of Senator Wong, I move: That there be laid on the table by the Attorney-General, by no later than 9.30 am on Wednesday, 9 November 2016, the legal advice provided to the...
• Motions (0 speeches)
  • Day, Mr Bob, AO (5 speeches)
    I, and also on behalf of Senators Hanson and Burston, move: That the Senate— (a) notes former Senator Day, in his 35 years as a builder:   (i) built over 10,000 homes,...
  • Aquaculture Industry (4 speeches)
    I, and also on behalf of Senators Bushby, Abetz and Urquhart, move: That the Senate— (a) acknowledges the importance of the aquaculture industry to the State of Tasmania, which is an...
• Documents (0 speeches)
  • Defence Procurement; Order for the Production of Documents (4 speeches)
    I, and also on behalf of Senator Carr, move: That— (a) the Senate notes that:   (i) the SEA 1000 Future Submarine project, a project that aims to deliver Australia a regionally...
• Committees (0 speeches)
  • Finance and Public Administration References Committee; Reference (3 speeches)
    At the request of Senator McAllister, I move: That the following matter be referred to the Finance and Public Administration References Committee for inquiry and report by 30 March 2017: Gender...
• Matters of Public Importance (0 speeches)
  • Prime Minister (31 speeches)
    I have received the following letter from Senator Gallagher: Pursuant to standing order 75, I propose that the following matter of public importance be submitted to the Senate for discussion: The...
• First Speech (0 speeches)
  • (2 speeches)
    Pursuant to order, the debate is interrupted so we can hear the first speech of Senator Kitching. Prior to calling Senator Kitching, can I also indicate to senators that the usual courtesies...
• Matters of Public Importance (0 speeches)
  • Prime Minister (3 speeches)
    Senator Watt mentioned metaphorically the Prime Minister being 'a green frog'. I thought it was a very interesting metaphor considering the old fable of the frog and the scorpion who wants to...
• Committees (0 speeches)
  • Scrutiny of Bills Committee; Report (1 speech)
    I present the eighth report of 2016 of the Senate Standing Committee for the Scrutiny of Bills. I also lay on the table Scrutiny of Bills Alert Digest No. 8 of 2016. 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 Delegated Legislation Monitor No. 8 of 2016. Ordered that the report be printed.
  • Public Accounts and Audit Committee; Report (1 speech)
    I present report No. 459, Annual report 2015-16, as well as executive minutes on various reports. I move: That the Senate take note of the report. The Joint Committee of Public Accounts and Audit...
  • Community Affairs References Committee; Government Response to Report (4 speeches)
    I present the government's response to the report of the Community Affairs References Committee on its inquiry into the growing evidence of an emerging tick-borne disease that causes a Lyme-like...
  • Economics Legislation Committee, Legal and Constitutional Affairs Legislation Committee; Report (1 speech)
    Pursuant to order and at the request of the chairs of the respective communities, I present reports on legislation as listed at item 19 on today's order of business, together with the Hansard...
  • Select Committee on Red Tape; Membership (2 speeches)
    The President has received a letter requesting changes in the membership of a committee.
• Bills (0 speeches)
  • Customs Tariff Amendment (2017 Harmonized System Changes) Bill 2016, Customs Amendment (2017 Harmonized System Changes) Bill 2016; 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. Bill read a first time.
  • Customs Tariff Amendment (2017 Harmonized System Changes) Bill 2016, Customs Amendment (2017 Harmonized System Changes) Bill 2016; 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 TARIFF...
  • Higher Education Support Legislation Amendment (2016 Measures No. 1) Bill 2016; First Reading (1 speech)
    I move: That this bill may proceed without formalities, may be taken together and be now read a first time. Question agreed to. Bill read a first time.
  • Higher Education Support Legislation Amendment (2016 Measures No. 1) Bill 2016; Second Reading (1 speech)
    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...
• Motions (0 speeches)
  • Aged Care (7 speeches)
    I move: That the Classification Amendment (CHC Domain Scores) Principles 2016, made under the Aged Care Act 1997, be disallowed. Thirteen sitting days remain, including today, to resolve the...
• Bills (0 speeches)
  • Broadcasting Legislation Amendment (Television and Radio Licence Fees) Bill 2016; In Committee (10 speeches)
    Now that we are in the committee stage I want to ask, in respect of the amendment that Senator Griff will be moving shortly, in general terms on the issue of licence fees, has the government done...
  • Broadcasting Legislation Amendment (Television and Radio Licence Fees) Bill 2016; Third Reading (1 speech)
    I move: That this bill be now read a third time. Question agreed to.
  • VET Student Loans Bill 2016, VET Student Loans (Charges) Bill 2016, VET Student Loans (Consequential Amendments and Transitional Provisions) Bill 2016; Second Reading (2 speeches)
    Labor supports the thrust of these bills but, in so many ways, it is a case of 'too little, too late'.' If only this incompetent government had acted sooner, billions could have been invested in...
• Adjournment (0 speeches)
  • Youth With A Mission (2 speeches)
    I feel quite lonely on that list. I have never seen my name on a list alone before! I want to talk this evening about Youth With A Mission—YWAM—Medical Ships. This wonderful...
  • Brain Cancer (1 speech)
    I rise tonight to speak about an event that was held last Sunday in Margate in the south of Hobart in Tasmania, and that was the annual Cure Brain Cancer Foundation walk. This is an event I have...