Senate debates

Wednesday, 6 December 2017

• Parliamentary Representation (0 speeches)
  • Gallagher, Senator Katy; Qualifications of Senators (22 speeches)
    by leave—I move: That, pursuant to section 376 of the Commonwealth Electoral Act 1918, the Senate refers to the Court of Disputed Returns the following questions— (a) whether, by...
• Committees (0 speeches)
  • Meeting (1 speech)
    I remind senators that a question may be put on any proposal at the request of any senator.
• Bills (0 speeches)
  • Treasury Laws Amendment (Putting Consumers First — Establishment of the Australian Financial Complaints Authority) Bill 2017; Second Reading (5 speeches)
    My contribution in relation to the Treasury Laws Amendment (Putting Consumers First—Establishment of the Australian Financial Complaints Authority) Bill 2017 revolves very much around the...
  • Treasury Laws Amendment (Putting Consumers First — Establishment of the Australian Financial Complaints Authority) Bill 2017; In Committee (64 speeches)
    Firstly, I table a supplementary explanatory memorandum relating to the government amendments to be moved to this bill. I seek leave to move government amendments on sheet HU180 together. Leave...
• Statements by Senators (0 speeches)
  • Harper, Mr Robert Malcolm 'Bob' (1 speech)
    I rise today to speak briefly about the life of Robert Malcolm Harper, who recently passed away in my home state of Queensland. Bob Harper was a giant in our political movement and previously in...
  • Nuclear Weapons (1 speech)
    A decade ago, a handful of activists sat down in the Melbourne suburbs. They were inspired by the success of the international campaign to ban landmines, which had played a major role in the...
  • Donations to Political Parties (1 speech)
    I rise today to speak about the impact and influence of donations on the politics and governments of this country, and I start by reflecting on a woman who resides in Adelaide, who has become...
  • Harper, Mr Robert Malcolm 'Bob', Queensland State Election (1 speech)
    At the outset, I want to associate myself completely with the very moving tribute made by my colleague Senator O'Sullivan about Bob Harper, a very fine man who did so much so selflessly for the...
  • Aboriginal Deaths in Custody (1 speech)
    I wish to make some comments in relation to a duty of care for those in custody and particularly first nation peoples. The Royal Commission into Aboriginal Deaths in Custody, after considering...
  • Private Health Insurance (1 speech)
    Next February, the government will announce the next price hike that will apply to health insurance. Premiums have been going up at an average of 5.6 per cent a year since 2010, more than twice...
  • Marriage (1 speech)
    Last week was a good week for the parliament and, more importantly, for the Senate. We held up our end of that grand bargain and carried out the will of the Australian people, as reflected in the...
  • Tasmanian Government (4 speeches)
    I was going to use my five minutes to speak on a different matter but, given the short time that's left because of the late start of Senators' Statements, I will share with the chamber some news...
• Shadow Ministerial Arrangements (0 speeches)
  • (1 speech)
    Following the announcement today by Senator Gallagher that she is standing aside from the shadow ministry, I advise that the shadow Treasurer, Mr Chris Bowen, will act as shadow minister for...
• Questions without Notice (0 speeches)
  • National Security (8 speeches)
    My question without notice is to the Minister representing the Prime Minister, Senator Brandis. I refer to an article published in The Sydney Morning Herald entitled 'Former Liberal trade...
  • Foreign Donations (16 speeches)
    My question is to the Attorney-General, Senator Brandis. Can the Attorney-General provide the Senate with further information regarding the new foreign interference legislation being introduced...
  • Royal Commission into the Protection and Detention of Children in the Northern Territory (18 speeches)
    My question is to the minister representing the Prime Minister, the Attorney-General, Senator Brandis. We have all heard about the horrifying abuses that came to light over the course of the...
  • Economy (8 speeches)
    My question is to the Minister for Finance representing the Treasurer, Senator Cormann. Can the Minister update the Senate on the National Accounts data released today and what this shows about...
  • Family Law Review (8 speeches)
    My question is to the Attorney-General, Senator Brandis. In September 2017, you asked the Australian Law Reform Commission to undertake a comprehensive review of the family law system, including...
  • Medical Research (10 speeches)
    My question is to the Minister representing the Minister for Health, Senator Fierravanti-Wells. Can the minister update the Senate on how the coalition government is supporting Australian medical...
  • Telecommunications (7 speeches)
    My question without notice is to the Minister for Communications, Senator Fifield. The Universal Service Obligation is a contract with Telstra to ensure standard telephone services and payphones...
  • Workplace Relations (31 speeches)
    My question is to the Minister for Employment, Senator Cash. On last night's ABC 7.30 report we heard harrowing details of what household brand Tip Top are doing to the truck drivers who deliver...
  • Australia Council for the Arts: 50th Anniversary, National Gallery of Australia: 50th Anniversary (8 speeches)
    My question is to the Minister for Communications and the Arts, Senator Fifield. Can the minister update the Senate on the significant anniversary being celebrated today by the Australia Council...
  • Foreign Donations (15 speeches)
    My question is to the Minister representing the Prime Minister, Senator Brandis. I refer to the minister who, when asked in question time last week about media reports that Mr Turnbull dined with...
  • Vocational Education and Training (10 speeches)
    My question is to the Minister for Education and Training, Senator Birmingham. Can the minister update the Senate on Monday's decision by the national training regulator, the Australian Skills...
• Ministerial Arrangements (0 speeches)
  • (3 speeches)
    I table an updated ministry list for the Turnbull ministry, reflecting the joyous news of the re-swearing of the Hon. Barnaby Joyce as Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Agriculture and Water...
• Parliamentary Representation (0 speeches)
  • Sinodinos, Senator Arthur (2 speeches)
    I seek leave to make a brief statement in relation to Senator Sinodinos. Leave granted. This morning, during the debate on the reference of Senator Gallagher to the High Court, the Leader of the...
• Questions without Notice: Additional Answers (0 speeches)
  • Citizenship (1 speech)
    I refer to questions asked by Senator McAllister yesterday in question time in my capacity as the Minister representing the Minister for Immigration and Border Protection. I have sought advice...
  • Transvaginal Mesh (1 speech)
    I refer to a question asked of me yesterday by Senator Hinch in my capacity as Minister representing the Minister for Health. I would like to add to the response that I provided to Senator Hinch...
• Questions without Notice: Take Note of Answers (0 speeches)
  • National Security, Foreign Donations, Workplace Relations (10 speeches)
    I move: That the Senate take note of the answers given by the Attorney-General (Senator Brandis) and the Minister for Employment (Senator Cash) to questions without notice asked by Senators Carr,...
• Statements (0 speeches)
  • Royal Commission into the Protection and Detention of Children in the Northern Territory (5 speeches)
    I seek leave to make a statement of no more than three minutes.
• Notices (0 speeches)
  • Presentation (1 speech)
    I give notice of my intention at the giving of notices on the next sitting day to withdraw business of the Senate notice of motion No. 1 standing in my name for 21 March 2018 proposing the...
  • Withdrawal (1 speech)
    I withdraw business of the Senate notice of motion No. 1 standing in my name for today proposing a reference to the Senate Economics References Committee concerning the Australian casino industry.
• Committees (0 speeches)
  • Environment and Communications References 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 move on.
• Bills (0 speeches)
  • Aboriginal Land Rights (Northern Territory) Amendment Bill 2017, Australian Capital Territory (Planning and Land Management) Amendment Bill 2017, Broadcasting Legislation Amendment (Digital Radio) Bill 2017, Broadcasting Legislation Amendment (Foreign Media Ownership and Community Radio) Bill 2017, Communications Legislation Amendment (Online Content Services and Other Measures) Bill 2017, Communications Legislation Amendment (Regional and Small Publishers Innovation Fund) Bill 2017, Copyright Amendment (Service Providers) Bill 2017, Crimes Legislation Amendment (Combatting Corporate Crime) Bill 2017, Enhancing Online Safety (Non-consensual Sharing of Intimate Images) Bill 2017, Family Law Amendment (Family Violence and Other Measures) Bill 2017, Family Law Amendment (Parenting Management Hearings) Bill 2017, Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Amendment (Authority Governance and Other Matters) Bill 2017, National Broadcasters Legislation Amendment (Enhanced Transparency) Bill 2017; 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 will be moving a motion to have the bills listed...
  • Aboriginal Land Rights (Northern Territory) Amendment Bill 2017, Australian Capital Territory (Planning and Land Management) Amendment Bill 2017, Broadcasting Legislation Amendment (Digital Radio) Bill 2017, Broadcasting Legislation Amendment (Foreign Media Ownership and Community Radio) Bill 2017, Communications Legislation Amendment (Online Content Services and Other Measures) Bill 2017, Communications Legislation Amendment (Regional and Small Publishers Innovation Fund) Bill 2017, Copyright Amendment (Service Providers) Bill 2017, Crimes Legislation Amendment (Combatting Corporate Crime) Bill 2017, Enhancing Online Safety (Non-consensual Sharing of Intimate Images) Bill 2017, Family Law Amendment (Family Violence and Other Measures) Bill 2017, Family Law Amendment (Parenting Management Hearings) Bill 2017, Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Amendment (Authority Governance and Other Matters) Bill 2017, National Broadcasters Legislation Amendment (Enhanced Transparency) Bill 2017; Second Reading (1 speech)
    I table the explanatory memoranda relating to the bills and move: That these bills be now read a second time. I seek leave to have the second reading speeches incorporated in Hansard. Leave...
• Notices (0 speeches)
  • Withdrawal (1 speech)
    by leave—I withdraw general business notice of motion No. 599 standing in my name for today concerning an order for the production of documents relating to a potential Northern Australia...
• Motions (0 speeches)
  • Arnhem Space Centre (4 speeches)
    I move: (1) That the Senate: (a) acknowledges the historic agreement between First Nations people, the Gumatj, and Equatorial Launch Australia (ELA) which has secured land in North East Arnhem...
  • Dementia (6 speeches)
    I ask that Senator Siewert's name be added to notice of motion 647 standing in the name of Senator Polley.
  • Cardiovascular Disease (10 speeches)
    I move: That the Senate— (a) notes that:   (i) cardiovascular disease (CVD) and its most common form, heart disease, causes one­-fifth of all deaths in Australia, and it...
• Committees (0 speeches)
  • Joint Standing Committee on Electoral Matters; Reference (1 speech)
    On behalf of Senator Wong, I move: That the following matter be referred to the Joint Standing Committee on Electoral Matters for inquiry and report by 6 February 2018: The implications of recent...
• Motions (0 speeches)
  • RAAF Williamtown (4 speeches)
    I inform the chamber that Senator Singh will also sponsor this motion. I seek leave to amend general business notice of motion No. 653 standing in my name, relating to RAAF Williamtown. Leave...
• Documents (0 speeches)
  • Zou, Ms Sally; Order for the Production of Documents (4 speeches)
    I move: That the Senate— (a) notes comments made, on 5 December 2017, by the Acting Special Minister of State (Senator Cormann) that the current regulatory regime surrounding foreign...
• Motions (0 speeches)
  • International Volunteer Day (1 speech)
    At the request of Senators Fierravanti-Wells, Pratt and Moore, I move: That the Senate— (a) notes that:   (i) on 5 December 2017, the world will observe International Volunteer...
  • Australia Day (11 speeches)
    I, and also on behalf of Senator Di Natale, move: That the Senate— (a) acknowledges that Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples are the First Peoples of these lands and waters; (b)...
  • Human Rights Day (6 speeches)
    I, and also on behalf of Senator McKim, move: That the Senate— (a) acknowledges that 10 December 2017 is Human Rights Day which represents the 70th anniversary of the Universal Declaration...
• Documents (0 speeches)
  • Environment; Order for the Production of Documents (8 speeches)
    I seek leave to amend general business notice of motion No. 643 standing in my name for today, in the terms circulated in the chamber, concerning an order for the production of documents relating...
• Committees (0 speeches)
  • Rural and Regional Affairs and Transport References Committee; Reference (6 speeches)
    I, and also on behalf of Senator Hinch, move: That the following matter be referred to the Rural and Regional Affairs and Transport References Committee for inquiry and report by 20 September...
  • Education and Employment References Committee; Reference (10 speeches)
    I seek leave to amend business of the Senate notice of motion No. 3, standing in the names of Senators Fawcett, Hanson-Young and Griff, proposing a reference to the Education and Employment...
• Motions (0 speeches)
  • Taxation (4 speeches)
    I move: That the Senate— (a) commends the Prime Minister and the Government for talking about the need for income tax relief for middle-income earners affected by bracket creep; and (b)...
  • Minister for Employment (4 speeches)
    I seek leave to amend general business notice of motion No. 645 standing in my name for today, relating to the statement by Senator Cash. Leave granted. I move the motion as amended: (1) That the...
  • Budget (6 speeches)
    Is this the motion that mentions both Mr Whitlam and Mr Howard in a relatively favourable light?
• Documents (0 speeches)
  • Burke, Mr Donald William; Order for the Production of Documents (13 speeches)
    I seek leave to amend general business notice of motion No. 642 standing in my name for today concerning Don Burke and his relationship with Mr Barnaby Joyce.
• Delegation Reports (0 speeches)
  • 137th Inter-Parliamentary Union Conference (3 speeches)
    by leave—I table and present the report of the Australian parliamentary delegation to the 137th Inter-Parliamentary Union Conference held at St Petersburg in the Russian Federation on 14...
• Committees (0 speeches)
  • Regulations and Ordinances Committee; Delegated Legislation Monitor (1 speech)
    I present Delegated Legislation Monitor 16 of 2017 of the Standing Committee on Regulations and Ordinances. Ordered that the report be printed.
  • Human Rights Committee; Report (36 speeches)
    On behalf of the Chair of the Parliamentary Joint Committee on Human Rights, I present the following reports: Annual report 2014-15, Annual report 2015-16 and Report 13 of 2017: Human rights...
  • Scrutiny of Bills Committee; Scrutiny Digest (1 speech)
    I present the Scrutiny Digest No. 15 of 2017 of the Standing Committee for the Scrutiny of Bills. Ordered that the report be printed.
  • Environment and Communications References Committee; Report (2 speeches)
    I present the report of the Environment and Communications References Committee on the impacts of climate change on marine fisheries and biodiversity, together with the Hansard record of...
  • Select Committee on Lending to Primary Production Customers; Report (2 speeches)
    I present the report of the Select Committee on Lending to Primary Production Customers, together with the Hansard record of proceedings and documents presented to the committee. Ordered that the...
  • Public Accounts and Audit Committee; Report (1 speech)
    On behalf of the Joint Committee of Public Accounts and Audit, I present report No. 469, Commonwealth performance frameworkInquiry based on Auditor-General's report No. 31 of 2015-16 and Nos 6...
  • Environment and Communications References Committee, Joint Standing Committee on Migration; Government Response to Report (2 speeches)
    I present two 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...
• Documents (0 speeches)
  • Environment and Communications References Committee: Government Response, Zou, Ms Sally; Order for the Production of Documents (1 speech)
    I table documents relating to the orders for the production of documents concerning the government's response to the report of the Environment and Communications References Committee on...
• Committees (0 speeches)
  • Select Committee on the Future of Public Interest Journalism; Membership (2 speeches)
    The President has received a letter requesting changes in the membership of a committee.
• Documents (0 speeches)
  • Environment and Communications References Committee: Government Response; Order for the Production of Documents (3 speeches)
    Apologies, Madam Acting Deputy President. I was attempting to draw your attention in order to make a response to the tabling of the document relating to the government response to the report of...
• Committees (0 speeches)
  • Community Affairs Legislation Committee; Report (1 speech)
    Pursuant to order and at the request of the chair of the Senate Community Affairs Legislation Committee, I present the committee's report on the provisions of the Social Services Legislation...
• Bills (0 speeches)
  • Treasury Laws Amendment (2017 Measures No. 9) Bill 2017, Treasury Laws Amendment (Putting Consumers First — Establishment of the Australian Financial Complaints Authority) Bill 2017; In Committee (29 speeches)
    The committee is considering the Treasury Laws Amendment (Putting Consumers First—Establishment of the Australian Financial Complaints Authority) Bill 2017. The question is that the bill,...
  • Treasury Laws Amendment (2017 Measures No. 9) Bill 2017, Treasury Laws Amendment (Putting Consumers First — Establishment of the Australian Financial Complaints Authority) Bill 2017; Third Reading (2 speeches)
    I move: That this bill be now read a third time.
  • Regional Investment Corporation Bill 2017; In Committee (40 speeches)
    The committee is considering the Regional Investment Corporation Bill 2017 as amended. The question is that the bill as amended be agreed to.
• Adjournment (0 speeches)
  • Turnbull Government (3 speeches)
    After that long—
  • Workplace Relations (1 speech)
    As the parliamentary year draws to a close we all feel tension rising and tempers fraying, but there are important issues at play in this place. The differences between Labor and the coalition...
  • Defence Personnel (1 speech)
    The Army's 22 Engineer Regiment started life as 22nd Construction Regiment in 1950. As the name implies, it built things. 22 Construction Regiment was a unit of the Australian Army Reserve. It...
  • Regional Airports (1 speech)
    I rise tonight to talk about the importance of regional airports to communities across Western Australia and Australia. Regional airports are the vital link of many communities to health...