Senate debates

Wednesday, 15 November 2017

• Committees (0 speeches)
  • Meeting (1 speech)
    I remind senators that the question may be put on any proposal at the request of any senator.
• Business (0 speeches)
  • Days and Hours of Meeting (1 speech)
    At the request of Senator Brandis, I move: That the days of meeting of the Senate for 2018 be as follows: Autumn sittings: Monday, 5 February to Thursday, 8 February Monday, 12 February to...
• Budget (0 speeches)
  • Consideration by Estimates Committees (3 speeches)
    I seek leave to amend government business notice of motion No. 2 standing in my name. Leave granted. I amend the notice by inserting after paragraph (2) the following: (2A) That cross portfolio...
• Bills (0 speeches)
  • Treasury Laws Amendment (Housing Tax Integrity) Bill 2017, Foreign Acquisitions and Takeovers Fees Imposition Amendment (Vacancy Fees) Bill 2017; Second Reading (2 speeches)
    In speaking before the debate was adjourned yesterday, I ran through the significant issues that are facing Australians in relation to housing—those Australians who seek to buy and also...
  • Treasury Laws Amendment (Housing Tax Integrity) Bill 2017, Foreign Acquisitions and Takeovers Fees Imposition Amendment (Vacancy Fees) Bill 2017; 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 the Committee of the Whole.
  • Veterans' Affairs Legislation Amendment (Omnibus) Bill 2017; Second Reading (9 speeches)
    Before I begin speaking on the Veterans' Affairs Legislation Amendment (Omnibus) Bill 2017: I know that, if Senator Lambie had been here today, she would have wanted to speak on this issue. I...
  • Veterans' Affairs Legislation Amendment (Omnibus) 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 that the bill be considered in Committee of the Whole.
  • Treasury Laws Amendment (Improving Accountability and Member Outcomes in Superannuation Measures No. 1) Bill 2017, Superannuation Laws Amendment (Strengthening Trustee Arrangements) Bill 2017; Second Reading (3 speeches)
    Thank you for the opportunity to speak this afternoon on the Treasury Laws Amendment (Improving Accountability and Member Outcomes in Superannuation Measures No. 1) Bill 2017 and the...
• Statements by Senators (0 speeches)
  • Welfare Reform (1 speech)
    I want to concentrate my remarks on an issue that is playing out in the mid-coast of my home state of Queensland, in the Bundaberg and Hervey Bay area. Tragically, unemployment in that part of...
  • Marriage (2 speeches)
    There have been celebrations across the nation when it was announced this morning that an overwhelming majority of Australians support marriage equality. Australians have confirmed their...
  • Voter Engagement (1 speech)
    It's a pleasure to take an opportunity today to talk about something that has been an issue of importance to me since I was elected to this place a little over 18 months ago and something I've...
  • Minister for Employment (3 speeches)
    I rise today to go to the issue of the five misleads of the Senate by Senator Cash, the Minister for Employment. The Australian government has issued a Statement of Ministerial Standards. That...
  • Insurance Industry, Quintano, Mr Luke (1 speech)
    I acknowledge Australia's historic nation, forged by Christian explorers and pioneers from Britain and other European lands which created the federal Commonwealth under the Crown, and I...
  • Townsville (1 speech)
    In addition to my other duties as a senator for the whole of Queensland, I find I'm increasingly being drawn into acting as local MP in the other place as well. Certainly, I've performed that...
  • World Day of Remembrance for Road Traffic Victims, Black Spot Program (2 speeches)
    Mr President, I too congratulate you on your recent appointment as the President of this august institution. Next week, on 19 November, is the World Day of Remembrance for Road Traffic Victims....
• Questions without Notice (0 speeches)
  • Domestic and Family Violence (19 speeches)
    Mr President, I take the opportunity to congratulate you on your position and wish you well in that job. My question is to the Minister for Women, Senator Cash. I refer to the announcement of...
  • Welfare Reform (12 speeches)
    My question is for the Minister for Employment, Senator Cash. Can the minister update the Senate on how the Turnbull government is helping young Australians get off welfare and into work?
  • Ministerial Conduct (22 speeches)
    My question is to the Minister for Employment, Senator Cash. Will the minister explain to the Senate the principle of ministerial responsibility?
  • Marriage (8 speeches)
    My question is to the Minister representing the Prime Minister, Senator Brandis. The resounding vote for marriage equality announced today has been the result of the tireless campaigning by so...
  • Queensland: Mining (18 speeches)
    My question to the Minister for Resources and Northern Australia asks if the minister is aware of the importance of the Adani coalmine and what it will mean for jobs in Queensland. I ask the...
  • Government Procurement (9 speeches)
    My question is to the Minister for Finance. In 2015-16, the Commonwealth government spent $57 billion purchasing goods and services. Government procurement is recognised around the world as an...
  • Child Care (8 speeches)
    My question is to the Minister for Education and Training, Senator Birmingham. Can the minister update the Senate on the implementation of the Turnbull government's childcare package and explain...
  • Trade with Taiwan (8 speeches)
    My question is to the Attorney-General, representing the Minister for Trade. The Australian government is negotiating free trade agreements with the governments of the gulf states, India,...
  • Queensland: Infrastructure (7 speeches)
    My question is to the minister representing the Minister for Infrastructure and Transport, Senator Scullin. How much is allocated in the federal government's forward estimates for the proposal of...
  • Trade with Peru (8 speeches)
    My question is to the Attorney-General, representing the Minister for Trade, Tourism and Investment, Senator Brandis. Can the Attorney-General advise the Senate how the coalition government's...
  • Parry, Hon. Stephen (10 speeches)
    My question is to the Minister for Communications, Senator Fifield. I refer to the minister's answer in question time yesterday, who, when asked if he suggested Senator Parry should withhold...
  • Health Care (8 speeches)
    My question is to the minister representing the Minister for Health, Senator Fierravanti-Wells. Can the minister update the Senate on how the Turnbull government is supporting cutting-edge...
  • Hadgkiss, Mr Nigel (25 speeches)
    My question is to the Minister for Employment, Senator Cash. In evidence to the Senate Education and Employment Committee on 25 October, the minister admitted that she personally approved...
• Personal Explanations (0 speeches)
  • (7 speeches)
    I seek leave to make a short statement. Leave granted. I rise to make a statement in regard to comments made by Senator Cameron today in a senator's statement. In his statement I believe he...
• Questions without Notice: Take Note of Answers (0 speeches)
  • Domestic and Family Violence (12 speeches)
    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 Moore today relating to the release by Pauline...
  • Marriage (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 Rice today relating to parliamentary consideration of...
• Business (0 speeches)
  • Leave of Absence (1 speech)
    by leave—I move: That leave of absence be granted to Senator McKenzie for today, on account of parliamentary business. Question agreed to.
• Notices (0 speeches)
  • Postponement (1 speech)
    Does any senator wish for the question to be put on this notification? If not, we will proceed.
• Committees (0 speeches)
  • Procedure Committee; Reporting Date (1 speech)
    I remind senators that the question may be put on any proposal at the request of any senator. There being none, we will now proceed to the discovery of formal business, which I will move through...
• Business (0 speeches)
  • Rearrangement (1 speech)
    I seek leave to amend government business notice of motion No. 3 before seeking to have the motion taken as a formal motion. Leave granted. I move the motion as amended: That consideration of the...
• Bills (0 speeches)
  • Judiciary Amendment (Commonwealth Model Litigant Obligations) Bill 2017; First Reading (1 speech)
    I move: That the following bill be introduced: A Bill for an Act to provide for enforcement of Commonwealth model litigant obligations, and for related purposes. Question agreed to. I present the...
  • Judiciary Amendment (Commonwealth Model Litigant Obligations) Bill 2017; Second Reading (1 speech)
    I move: That this bill be now read a second time. I seek leave to table an explanatory memorandum relating to the bill. Leave granted. I table an explanatory memorandum. I seek leave to have the...
• Motions (0 speeches)
  • Repatriation Commission Outpatient Clinic (1 speech)
    I move: That the Senate recognises that: (a) today marks the 80th anniversary of the opening of the former Repatriation Commission Outpatient Clinic at 310 St Kilda Rd, Southbank, Victoria; (b)...
• Documents (0 speeches)
  • Master Facility Agreements; Order for the Production of Documents (4 speeches)
    I move: That the Senate— (a) notes that:   (i) prior to providing funding through the Northern Australia Infrastructure Facility, the Federal Government must agree to Master...
• Motions (0 speeches)
  • War Crimes (1 speech)
    I, and also on behalf of Senators Reynolds, McKim and Kakoschke-Moore, move: That the Senate— (a) notes that:   (i) genocide is a crime under both international and Australian...
  • Perinatal Depression and Anxiety Awareness Week (1 speech)
    I, and also on behalf of Senators Siewert and Kakoschke-Moore, move: That the Senate— (a) notes that:   (i) this week is Perinatal Depression and Anxiety Awareness Week,...
  • War Graves (1 speech)
    I move: That the Senate— (a) notes:   (i) the ultimate sacrifice made by Australian men and women in armed conflicts overseas defending the freedom of foreign nations, and...
• Committees (0 speeches)
  • Corporations and Financial Services Committee; Reporting Date (1 speech)
    I move: That the time for the presentation of the report of the Parliamentary Joint Committee on Corporations and Financial Services on its inquiry into the life insurance industry be extended to...
• Bills (0 speeches)
  • Public Governance, Performance and Accountability Amendment (Executive Remuneration) Bill 2017; First Reading (1 speech)
    I move: That the following bill be introduced: A Bill for an Act to amend the Public Governance, Performance and Accountability Act 2013, and for related purposes. Question agreed to. I present...
  • Public Governance, Performance and Accountability Amendment (Executive Remuneration) Bill 2017; Second Reading (1 speech)
    I move: That this bill be now read a second time. I seek leave to table an explanatory memorandum relating to the bill. Leave granted. I table an explanatory memorandum, and I seek leave to have...
• Motions (0 speeches)
  • Disability Services (6 speeches)
    I, and also on behalf of Senators Steele-John and Brown, move: That the Senate— (a) notes that the New South Wales (NSW) Government will be cutting funding for disability advocacy from July...
  • Qualifications of Senators (10 speeches)
    I move: That the Senate— (a) notes:   (i) the numerous cases regarding the eligibility of senators under section 44 of the Constitution,   (ii) the uncertainty about...
  • Coal Seam Gas Mining: Liverpool Plains (5 speeches)
    I move: That the Senate— (a) notes that:   (i) sustainable food and fibre production on the Liverpool Plains requires an integrated and strategic approach to water reform,...
  • Immigration Detention (7 speeches)
    I move: That the Senate— (a) notes that:   (i) Australia's offshore processing regime is a deliberately cruel policy that has created humanitarian crises on Manus Island and...
  • Hamilton, Professor Clive (4 speeches)
    I move: That— (a) the Senate notes:   (i) the claims by academic Mr Clive Hamilton, author of the unpublished book, Silent Invasion, that he is experiencing difficulty proceeding...
• Bills (0 speeches)
  • Marriage Amendment (Definition and Religious Freedoms) Bill 2017; First Reading (15 speeches)
    I ask that general business notice of motion No. 570, standing in the name of Senator Smith and eight other senators, relating to the introduction of the Marriage Amendment (Definition and...
  • Marriage Amendment (Definition and Religious Freedoms) Bill 2017; Second Reading (2 speeches)
    I move: That this bill be now read a second time. I seek leave to table an explanatory memorandum relating to the bill. Leave granted. I table an explanatory memorandum and I seek leave to have...
• Motions (0 speeches)
  • Immigration Detention (2 speeches)
    In regards to the general business notice of motion No. 575 that was moved earlier this afternoon, I seek leave to have the question re-put because I wished to call a division and failed to do so.
• Matters of Public Importance (0 speeches)
  • Climate Change, Energy (13 speeches)
    I inform the Senate that, at 8.30 am today, four proposals were received in accordance with standing order 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)
    I present Delegated Legislation Monitor No. 14 of 2017 of the Standing Committee on Regulations and Ordinances. Ordered that the report be printed.
  • Scrutiny of Bills Committee; Scrutiny Digest (1 speech)
    On behalf of the chair, Senator Polley, I present Scrutiny Digest No. 13 of 2017 of the Standing Committee for the Scrutiny of Bills. Ordered that the report be printed.
  • Community Affairs References Committee; Report (2 speeches)
    I present the report of the Community Affairs References Committee on the future of rugby union in Australia together with the Hansard record of proceedings and documents presented to the...
  • Community Affairs References Committee; Government Response to Report (6 speeches)
    I present the government's response to the report of the Community Affairs References Committee inquiry into the growing evidence of an emerging tick-borne disease that causes a Lyme-like illness...
  • Membership (2 speeches)
    The President has received letters requesting changes in the membership of committees.
• Bills (0 speeches)
  • Treasury Laws Amendment (Improving Accountability and Member Outcomes in Superannuation Measures No. 1) Bill 2017, Superannuation Laws Amendment (Strengthening Trustee Arrangements) Bill 2017; Second Reading (19 speeches)
    I rise to speak on the Treasury Laws Amendment (Improving Accountability and Member Outcomes in Superannuation Measures No. 1) Bill 2017 and the Superannuation Laws Amendment (Strengthening...
• Adjournment (0 speeches)
  • Marriage (1 speech)
    I rise to speak tonight on the result of the national survey on marriage equality. This is a result that may not be welcomed in some parts of our nation and, indeed, in some first-nation...
  • Economy, Marriage (1 speech)
    I would like to speak tonight about some recent data that, once again, demonstrate just how much our economy and political system are rigged in favour of the wealthy and the well-off. This latest...