Senate debates

Wednesday, 14 June 2017

• Committees (0 speeches)
  • Meeting (1 speech)
    Does any senator wish to have the question put on any proposal? There being none, we will proceed to business.
• Bills (0 speeches)
  • Native Title Amendment (Indigenous Land Use Agreements) Bill 2017; In Committee (207 speeches)
    I table three supplementary explanatory memoranda relating to the government amendments to be moved to this bill and seek leave to move government amendments (1), (2) and (4) on sheet ZA429...
  • Native Title Amendment (Indigenous Land Use Agreements) Bill 2017; Third Reading (1 speech)
    I move: That this bill be now read a third time.
  • Social Services Legislation Amendment (Seasonal Worker Incentives for Jobseekers) Bill 2017; Second Reading (7 speeches)
    I rise to speak on the Social Services Legislation Amendment (Seasonal Worker Incentives for Jobseekers) Bill 2017. The trial that is covered by this bill will give jobseekers an opportunity to...
  • Social Services Legislation Amendment (Seasonal Worker Incentives for Jobseekers) Bill 2017; 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 the bill be considered in Committee of the Whole.
• Notices (0 speeches)
  • Withdrawal (2 speeches)
    Pursuant to standing order 78(1), I give notice of my intention, at the giving of notices today, to withdraw business of the Senate notice of motion No. 1 standing in my name and in the name of...
• Statements by Senators (0 speeches)
  • Australian Capital Territory (1 speech)
    It is great to raise a couple of important local issues today in the Senate. I was grateful to have the chance to attend the graduation ceremony recently for the first cohort of Project Booyah...
  • Queensland: Northern Australia Infrastructure Facility (1 speech)
    As I have said on many occasions in this chamber, regional Queensland urgently needs jobs and urgently needs new projects funded by this federal government. Unfortunately, the federal budget...
  • Tasmania: Tourism (1 speech)
    I am very pleased to rise today to speak of a fantastic experience I had in my home state of Tasmania in the week of Easter this year: going mountain biking in the Blue Tier, which is in the...
  • Australian Defence Force (1 speech)
    As Australians, we all owe an enormous debt of gratitude to the men and women of the Australian Defence Force. Our Defence Force is recognised around the world for its professionalism, leadership...
  • Disability (1 speech)
    I rise today to speak about the need for a royal commission into violence and abuse of people with disability. Last month, Labor announced that, if elected, we would establish a royal...
  • Qatar (1 speech)
    In recent times, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, the UAE and Egypt have severed diplomatic and economic ties with the nation state of Qatar. They have implemented travel bans and precluded any diplomatic...
  • Watt, Senator Murray (11 speeches)
    A contribution made in this place earlier today by Senator Watt, the Labor senator for Queensland, in, again, an almost grubby personal attack by the senator on another member of the parliament,...
  • Budget (1 speech)
    I think we can all agree that the federal budget was a terrible budget for this country when it comes to our schoolkids, especially in my home state of Tasmania. Those on the other side should be...
  • Queen's Birthday Honours (2 speeches)
    In the short time that is available to me I want to talk about two things that are very close to the heart of Western Australians. Of course, the first is GST distribution reform, but I will not...
• Questions without Notice (0 speeches)
  • Climate Change (8 speeches)
    My question is to Senator Brandis, the Minister representing the Prime Minister. Yesterday the minister told the Senate: … what the Turnbull government is committed to doing is to put the...
  • National Security (11 speeches)
    I have a serious question for the Attorney-General. Can the Attorney-General update the Senate on what the government is doing to counter the threat of foreign interference?
  • Energy (11 speeches)
    My question is to Senator Brandis, the Minister representing the Prime Minister. Yesterday the Minister for Finance said in relation to the Chief Scientist's review into the future security of...
  • Asylum Seekers (19 speeches)
    My question is to Minister Cash, representing the immigration minister. Minister, I refer you to the immigration minister's decision to settle a class action based on the illegal detention and...
  • Schools (8 speeches)
    My question is for the Minister for Education and Training, Senator Simon Birmingham. Can the minister inform the Senate how the government's fair, real-Gonski needs based school funding reform...
  • Breast Cancer (8 speeches)
    My question is to Senator Nash, the Minister representing the Minister for Health. Under the External Breast Prostheses Reimbursement Program, women who have had breast surgery as result of...
  • Media (8 speeches)
    My question is to the Minister for Communications and the Arts, Senator Fifield. Can the minister share with the Senate what the Turnbull government is doing to protect Australian jobs in the...
  • Religious Advisory Committee to the Services (8 speeches)
    My question is to the Minister for Defence. Minister, it was drawn to my attention that in February 2015 Imam Saleem of the Religious Advisory Council to the Services signed a joint statement...
  • Energy (38 speeches)
    My question is to the Minister representing the Prime Minister, Senator Brandis. This morning, influential Liberal member Craig Kelly said on ABC Radio, in regard to the modelling underpinning...
• Notices (0 speeches)
  • Withdrawal (2 speeches)
    In accordance with standing order 78(3), I object to the withdrawal of the notice of motion for the disallowance of the Family Law (Superannuation) (Provision of Information—Military...
• Questions without Notice: Take Note of Answers (0 speeches)
  • Energy (7 speeches)
    I move: That the Senate take note of the answers given by the Attorney-General (Senator.Brandis) to questions without notice asked by Opposition senators today relating to the final report of the...
  • Asylum Seekers (1 speech)
    I move: That the Senate take note of the answer given by the Minister for Employment (Senator.Cash) to a question without notice asked by Senator McKim today relating to settlement of a legal...
• Notices (0 speeches)
  • Presentation (1 speech)
    At the request of Senator Williams, I give notice of his intention at the giving of notices on the next sitting date to withdraw business of the Senate notice of motion No. 1, standing in his...
  • Withdrawal (2 speeches)
    I withdraw business of the Senate notice of motion No. 3.
• Business (0 speeches)
  • Rearrangement (4 speeches)
    On behalf of Senator Fifield, I move: That consideration of the business before the Senate on Wednesday, 21 June 2017, be interrupted at approximately 5 pm, but not so as to interrupt a senator...
• Committees (0 speeches)
  • Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade References Committee; Reference (7 speeches)
    I seek leave to amend business of the Senate notice of motion No. 5 standing in my name for today, proposing a reference to the Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade References Committee relating to...
  • Joint Select Committee on oversight of the implementation of redress related recommendations of the Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse; Appointment (6 speeches)
    I seek leave to amend general business notice of motion No. 269 relating to the establishment of a joint select committee concerning the implementation of recommendations of the royal commission...
• Bills (0 speeches)
  • Productivity Commission Amendment (Addressing Inequality) Bill 2017; First Reading (1 speech)
    At the request of Senator McAllister, I move: That the following bill be introduced: A Bill for an Act to amend the Productivity Commission Act 1998, and for related purposes. Question agreed to....
  • Productivity Commission Amendment (Addressing Inequality) Bill 2017; Second Reading (1 speech)
    I present the explanatory memoranda and I move: That this bills be now read a second time. I seek leave to have the second reading speech incorporated in Hansard. Leave granted. The speech read...
• Motions (0 speeches)
  • Hobart International Airport (4 speeches)
    At the request of Senators Bilyk and Brown today, I move: That the Senate— (a) notes that the Government cut all 27 Australian Federal Police (AFP) staff from Hobart International Airport...
• Notices (0 speeches)
  • Postponement (1 speech)
    by leave—I move: That general business notice of motion no. 2 standing in my name for today, relating to the reference of a matter to the Education and Employment References Committee...
• Committees (0 speeches)
  • Corporations and Financial Services Committee; Reporting Date (1 speech)
    at the request of Senator O'Neill, I move: That the time for the presentation of the report of the Parliamentary Joint Committee on Corporations and Financial Services on whistleblower...
  • Strengthening Multiculturalism Committee; Appointment (1 speech)
    At the request of Senator Di Natale, I move: That the resolution of 29 November 2016 appointing the Select Committee on Strengthening Multiculturalism be amended as follows: Omit paragraph (9),...
• Documents (0 speeches)
  • Leadbeater's Possum; Order for the Production of Documents (4 speeches)
    I move: That there be laid on the table by the Minister representing the Minister for the Environment and Energy, by no later than 9.30 am on 21 June 2017, the following documents held by the...
  • Defence Properties; Order for the Production of Documents (4 speeches)
    I seek leave to amend general business notice of motion No. 340 standing in my name for today concerning an order for the production of documents relating to the Defence site at Maribyrnong....
• Committees (0 speeches)
  • Economics References Committee; Reference (8 speeches)
    I ask that the name of Senator Waters be added to business of the Senate notice of motion No. 6, proposing a reference to the Economics References Committee.
• Motions (0 speeches)
  • Communications by Post (5 speeches)
    I move: That the Senate— (a) notes:   (i) the rapid increase in the use of electronic communication technology in recent decades, including in commerce,   (ii) that...
• Documents (0 speeches)
  • Live Animal Exports; Order for the Production of Documents (7 speeches)
    Before I move motion 341, I ask that the name of Senator Hinch be added to this motion.
• Motions (0 speeches)
  • Budget (8 speeches)
    I move: That the Senate— (a) notes:   (i) the drug testing trial of 5,000 people applying for income support announced in the 2017-18 budget,   (ii) that the Government...
  • Adani Carmichael Coalmine (10 speeches)
    I move: That the Senate— (a) congratulates the Federal Minister for Resources and Northern Australia, and the Queensland State Premier, for their leadership in bringing the Adani Carmichael...
  • Naval Shipbuilding Plan (2 speeches)
    I seek leave to amend general business notice of motion No. 338 standing in my name. Leave granted. I move the motion as amended: That the Senate— (a) congratulates the Government on its...
  • Influence of Foreign Agents (16 speeches)
    I move: That the Senate— (a) notes reports, arising from a joint investigation by the ABC Four Corners program and Fairfax Media, broadcast on 5 June 2017 regarding the increasing influence...
  • Naval Shipbuilding Plan (2 speeches)
    I want to ensure that our no vote on Senator Reynolds's motion No. 338 was recorded, given the noise that was in the chamber at the time.
• Notices (0 speeches)
  • Withdrawal (2 speeches)
    by leave—Pursuant to notice, I withdraw business of the Senate notice of motion No. 4 standing in my name for today, relating to the disallowance of ASIC Corporations (Foreign-Controlled...
• Matters of Public Importance (0 speeches)
  • Purchase of New Dwellings by Foreign Non-Residents (9 speeches)
    I inform the Senate that at 8.30 am today nine proposals were received in accordance with standing order No. 75. The question of which proposal would be submitted to the Senate was determined by...
• Committees (0 speeches)
  • Regulations and Ordinances Committee; Delegated Legislation Monitor (1 speech)
    On behalf of the Chair of the Standing Committee on Regulations and Ordinances, Senator Williams, I present the Delegated Legislation Monitor 6 of 2017. Ordered that the report be printed.
  • Economics Legislation Committee; Report (1 speech)
    On behalf the Chair of the Economics Legislation Committee, Senator Hume, I present the report Treasury Laws Amendment (Foreign Resident Capital Gains Withholding Payments) Bill 2017...
  • Parliamentary Joint Committee on Human Rights; Report (1 speech)
    On behalf of the Parliamentary Joint Committee on Human Rights, I present the Human Rights Scrutiny Report 5 of 2017 and I seek leave to have the tabling statement of the Parliamentary Joint...
  • Scrutiny of Bills Committee; Scrutiny Digest (1 speech)
    On behalf of the Chair of the Scrutiny of Bills Committee, Senator Polley, I present Scrutiny Digest 6 of 2017. Ordered that the report be printed.
  • Corporations and Financial Services Committee; Report (1 speech)
    On behalf of Senator O'Neill, the Deputy Chair of the Parliamentary Joint Committee on Corporations and Financial Services, I present the report of the committee 2015-16 annual reports of bodies...
• Documents (0 speeches)
  • Video Games Industry; Order for the Production of Documents (1 speech)
    I table a document relating to the order for the production of documents concerning the government's response to the report of the Environment and Communications References Committee on...
• Committees (0 speeches)
  • Environment and Communications Legislation Committee, Joint Standing Committee on Treaties; Membership (2 speeches)
    The President has received letters requesting changes in the membership of committees.
• Bills (0 speeches)
  • Criminal Code Amendment (Protecting Minors Online) Bill 2017; 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.
  • Criminal Code Amendment (Protecting Minors Online) Bill 2017; 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— This Government is...
  • Enhancing Online Safety for Children Amendment Bill 2017, Ozone Protection and Synthetic Greenhouse Gas Management Legislation Amendment Bill 2017, Treasury Laws Amendment (GST Low Value Goods) Bill 2017; 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...
  • Enhancing Online Safety for Children Amendment Bill 2017, Ozone Protection and Synthetic Greenhouse Gas Management Legislation Amendment Bill 2017, Treasury Laws Amendment (GST Low Value Goods) Bill 2017; 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— ENHANCING ONLINE...
• Committees (0 speeches)
  • Education and Employment Legislation Committee; Report (1 speech)
    On behalf of the Chair of the Education and Employment Legislation Committee, Senator McKenzie, I present the report of the committee on the provisions of the Australian Education Amendment Bill...
• Documents (0 speeches)
  • Video Games Industry; Order for the Production of Documents (5 speeches)
    I wish to seek leave. Apologies to the chamber; I was a couple of moments delayed. I do not know who it was, but on behalf of Senator Fifield a response was tabled—a very brief one—to...
• Regulations and Determinations (0 speeches)
  • Family Law (Superannuation) (Provision of Information — Military Superannuation and Benefits Scheme) Amendment Determination 2016; Disallowance (6 speeches)
    As a servant to the people of Queensland and Australia, I want to highlight this issue and the injustice of the family law decision that military disability payments are to be divided in Family...
• Bills (0 speeches)
  • Health Insurance Amendment (National Rural Health Commissioner) Bill 2017; Second Reading (7 speeches)
    I would like to continue following the brief start that I had for about 30 seconds on this legislation when I first spoke. This is a really good plan put forward by the member for Lyne, David...
  • Health Insurance Amendment (National Rural Health Commissioner) Bill 2017; In Committee (1 speech)
    by leave—I move government amendments (1) to (6) on sheet EH205: Schedule 1, item 1, page 3 (lines 15 and 16), omit “If requested by the Minister, the Commissioner may also provide...
  • Health Insurance Amendment (National Rural Health Commissioner) Bill 2017; Explanatory Memorandum (1 speech)
    I table a supplementary explanatory memorandum relating to the government amendments to be moved to this bill. Bill, as amended, agreed to. Bill reported with amendments; report adopted.
  • Health Insurance Amendment (National Rural Health Commissioner) Bill 2017; Third Reading (1 speech)
    I move: That this bill be now read a third time. Question agreed to. Bill read a third time.
  • Therapeutic Goods Amendment (2016 Measures No. 1) Bill 2016; Second Reading (3 speeches)
    This bill amends the Therapeutic Goods Act 1989, mainly to support recommendations of the expert panel review of medicines and medical devices. The review reported in two stages in 2015 and...
  • Therapeutic Goods Amendment (2016 Measures No. 1) Bill 2016; Third Reading (1 speech)
    I move: That this bill be now read a third time. Question agreed to. Bill read a third time.
  • Enhancing Online Safety for Children Amendment Bill 2017; Second Reading (1 speech)
    I rise to speak in support of the Enhancing Online Safety for Children Amendment Bill 2017. The bill amends the Enhancing Online Safety for Children Act 2015 to broaden the functions and the...
• Adjournment (0 speeches)
  • Tasmania (8 speeches)
    I am going to be fairly brief tonight, but I do want to take this opportunity—and I know that there will be a more formal opportunity next week—to congratulate you, Mr Acting Deputy...
  • Timor Sea Treaty (1 speech)
    Today I had the opportunity to meet with a number of members from the Timor Sea justice alliance. Many of them came to Canberra from across the country to take up the very important issue of...