Senate debates

Monday, 19 March 2018

• Committees (0 speeches)
  • Joint Standing Committee on Electoral Matters, Environment and Communications References Committee, Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade References Committee; Meeting (1 speech)
    I remind senators that the question may be put on any proposal at the request of any senator.
• Business (0 speeches)
  • Consideration of Legislation (1 speech)
    I move: That the following general business orders of the day be considered today at the time for private senators' bills, No. 67, Coal-Fired Power Funding Prohibition Bill 2017 and No. 12, Fair...
• Bills (0 speeches)
  • Coal-Fired Power Funding Prohibition Bill 2017; Second Reading (3 speeches)
    Right now we are witnessing the end of an era. The sun is setting on the coal empire and we are transitioning to a new future powered by renewable energy. It's an exciting future, but it's well...
  • Fair Work Amendment (Gender Pay Gap) Bill 2015; Second Reading (7 speeches)
    I rise today to speak to the Fair Work Amendment (Gender Pay Gap) Bill 2015, which my colleague the former senator Larissa Waters introduced into this place. I thank Senator Waters for her...
  • Treasury Laws Amendment (Junior Minerals Exploration Incentive) Bill 2017; Second Reading (5 speeches)
    The Treasury Laws Amendment (Junior Minerals Exploration Incentive) Bill 2017 introduces the junior minerals exploration incentive, a slightly modified reincarnation of the three-year exploration...
  • Treasury Laws Amendment (Junior Minerals Exploration Incentive) Bill 2017; In Committee (16 speeches)
    I table a supplementary explanatory memorandum relating to the government amendments to be moved to this bill.
  • Treasury Laws Amendment (Junior Minerals Exploration Incentive) Bill 2017; Third Reading (1 speech)
    I move that this bill now be read a third time. Question agreed to. Bill read a third time.
  • Appropriation Bill (No. 3) 2017-2018, Appropriation Bill (No. 4) 2017-2018; 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. Bills read a first time.
  • Appropriation Bill (No. 3) 2017-2018, Appropriation Bill (No. 4) 2017-2018; Second Reading (7 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— APPROPRIATION...
• Ministerial Arrangements (0 speeches)
  • (1 speech)
    I table for the information of the Senate a revised ministry list, reflecting changes to the ministry made on 26 February and 5 March 2018. I seek leave to have the document incorporated into...
• Statements (0 speeches)
  • Australian Natural Disasters (6 speeches)
    I seek leave to make a short statement on the bushfires that have ravaged New South Wales and Victoria this past weekend and on the impact of Cyclone Marcus on the Northern Territory. Leave...
• Questions without Notice (0 speeches)
  • Taxation (24 speeches)
    My question is to the Minister representing the Treasurer, Minister Cormann. Last week the Treasurer said that 'government has never entertained' changes to cash refunds of dividend imputation....
  • Energy (10 speeches)
    My question is to the Minister representing the Minister for the Environment and Energy, Senator Birmingham. Can the minister please advise the Senate about the importance of a national approach...
  • Taxation (13 speeches)
    My question is to the Minister representing the Treasurer, Minister Cormann. In the government's tax discussion paper Re:think tax, issued in 2015, the following statement was included: There are...
  • Association of Southeast Asian Nations-Australia Special Summit (8 speeches)
    My question is for the Minister for Jobs and Innovation, Senator Cash. Can the minister update the Senate about any opportunities for Australian science and industry to arise out of the...
  • Asylum Seekers (15 speeches)
    My question is to Minister Fifield, representing the Minister for Home Affairs. Last week Minister Dutton was asked about white South African farmers, and he said: I do think on the information...
  • Minister for Jobs and Innovation (22 speeches)
    My question is to the Minister for Jobs and Innovation, Senator Cash. I refer to reports that the minister may be cross-examined in court over her knowledge of and involvement in the leaking of...
  • Defence Facilities: Chemical Contamination (8 speeches)
    My question is to the Minister representing the Minister for Health, Senator McKenzie. Is the minister aware that the Royal Australasian College of Physicians, which trains and represents over...
  • Mining (8 speeches)
    My question is to the Minister for Resources and Northern Australia, Senator Canavan. Can the minister please advise the Senate on any recent announcements that support jobs and growth in the...
  • Pensions and Benefits (14 speeches)
    My question is to the Minister representing the Minister for Social Services, Senator Fierravanti-Wells. Minister, can you confirm that it remains government policy to make pensioners who were...
  • Defence Procurement (9 speeches)
    My question is to the Minister for Defence, Senator Payne. Can the minister advise the Senate how Australia's new combat reconnaissance vehicle will increase capability for Army?
  • International Development Assistance (8 speeches)
    My question is to the Minister representing the Minister for Foreign Affairs, Senator Payne. I note reports that the member for Dawson, Mr George Christensen, who is a part of the coalition...
  • Online Privacy (8 speeches)
    My question is to the Minister for Communications, Senator Fifield. I refer to reports that Facebook has suspended the data-mining company Cambridge Analytica over its improper use of data from...
  • Gambling (9 speeches)
    My question is also to the Minister for Communications, Senator Fifield. Can the minister update the Senate on the commencement of new gambling advertising rules relating to television and radio?
• Questions without Notice: Take Note of Answers (0 speeches)
  • Taxation (11 speeches)
    I move: That the Senate take note of the answers given by the Minister for Finance (Senator Cormann) to questions without notice asked by Senator Keneally and the Leader of the Opposition in the...
  • Asylum Seekers (1 speech)
    I move: That the Senate take note of the answer given by the Minister for Communications (Senator Fifield) to a question without notice asked by Senator McKim today relating to comments made by...
• Business (0 speeches)
  • Leave of Absence (2 speeches)
    by leave—I move: That leave of absence be granted to the following senators for personal reasons: (a) Senator Ruston for today; and (b) Senator Sinodinos from 8 May to 28 June 2018....
• Committees (0 speeches)
  • Community Affairs References Committee; Reference (4 speeches)
    I, and also on behalf of Senator O'Neill, move: That the following matter be referred to the Community Affairs References Committee for inquiry and report by 17 October 2018: The accessibility...
• Motions (0 speeches)
  • Economy (4 speeches)
    I move: That the Senate notes the speech given by Dr Alberto Calderon, Chief Executive Officer of Orica, at the Melbourne Mining Club on 8 February 2018, and, in particular, observes that: (a)...
• Notices (0 speeches)
  • Presentation (3 speeches)
    I've missed the notices of motion, so I seek leave to return to item 10 on the Notice Paper to give a notice of motion for tomorrow. Leave granted.
• Delegation Reports (0 speeches)
  • Australian Parliamentary Delegation to the 38th General Assembly of the ASEAN Inter-Parliamentary Assembly (1 speech)
    by leave—I present the report of the Australian Parliamentary Delegation to the 38th General Assembly of the ASEAN Inter-Parliamentary Assembly, which took place, held in Manila,...
  • Australian Parliamentary Delegation to the Asia Pacific Parliamentary Forum (1 speech)
    by leave—I present the report of the Australian parliamentary delegation to the 26th annual meeting of the Asia Pacific Parliamentary Forum, held in Hanoi, Vietnam, which took place from 18...
• Matters of Public Importance (0 speeches)
  • Cost of Living, Climate Change, Employment, Education (9 speeches)
    The President has received the following letter from Senator Collins: Pursuant to standing order 75, I propose that the following matter of public importance be submitted to the Senate for...
• Auditor-General's Reports (0 speeches)
  • Report No. 32 of 2017-18 (4 speeches)
    I move: That the Senate take note of the document. This document is a performance audit by the Auditor-General into funding models for threatened species management. When you open up an...
• Documents (0 speeches)
  • West Lorengau Haus; Order for the Production of Documents (1 speech)
    I table a document relating to the order for the production of documents concerning West Lorengau, Manus Island.
• Bills (0 speeches)
  • National Housing Finance and Investment Corporation Bill 2018, National Housing Finance and Investment Corporation (Consequential Amendments and Transitional Provisions) Bill 2018; 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. Bills read a first time.
  • National Housing Finance and Investment Corporation Bill 2018, National Housing Finance and Investment Corporation (Consequential Amendments and Transitional Provisions) Bill 2018; 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— NATIONAL HOUSING...
  • Treasury Laws Amendment (2017 Measures No. 5) Bill 2017, ASIC Supervisory Cost Recovery Levy Amendment Bill 2017; 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. Bills read a first time.
  • Treasury Laws Amendment (2017 Measures No. 5) Bill 2017, ASIC Supervisory Cost Recovery Levy Amendment 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— TREASURY LAWS...
  • Treasury Laws Amendment (Reducing Pressure on Housing Affordability Measures No. 2) Bill 2018, Foreign Acquisitions and Takeovers Fees Imposition Amendment (Near-new Dwelling Interests) Bill 2018; 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. Bills read a first time.
  • Treasury Laws Amendment (Reducing Pressure on Housing Affordability Measures No. 2) Bill 2018, Foreign Acquisitions and Takeovers Fees Imposition Amendment (Near-new Dwelling Interests) Bill 2018; 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— TREASURY LAWS...
  • Bankruptcy Amendment (Debt Agreement Reform) Bill 2018, Communications Legislation Amendment (Deregulation and Other Measures) Bill 2018, Corporations Amendment (Crowd-sourced Funding for Proprietary Companies) Bill 2017, Crimes Amendment (National Disability Insurance Scheme — Worker Screening) Bill 2018, Imported Food Control Amendment (Country of Origin) Bill 2017, Intelligence Services Amendment (Establishment of the Australian Signals Directorate) Bill 2018, Migration and Other Legislation Amendment (Enhanced Integrity) Bill 2017, Social Services Legislation Amendment (14-month Regional Independence Criteria) Bill 2018, Treasury Laws Amendment (2018 Measures No. 1) Bill 2018, Treasury Laws Amendment (Illicit Tobacco Offences) Bill 2018, Treasury Laws Amendment (Income Tax Consolidation Integrity) Bill 2018, Treasury Laws Amendment (National Housing and Homelessness Agreement) Bill 2018, Veterans' Affairs Legislation Amendment (Veteran-centric Reforms No. 1) Bill 2018; 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...
  • Bankruptcy Amendment (Debt Agreement Reform) Bill 2018, Communications Legislation Amendment (Deregulation and Other Measures) Bill 2018, Corporations Amendment (Crowd-sourced Funding for Proprietary Companies) Bill 2017, Crimes Amendment (National Disability Insurance Scheme — Worker Screening) Bill 2018, Imported Food Control Amendment (Country of Origin) Bill 2017, Intelligence Services Amendment (Establishment of the Australian Signals Directorate) Bill 2018, Migration and Other Legislation Amendment (Enhanced Integrity) Bill 2017, Social Services Legislation Amendment (14-month Regional Independence Criteria) Bill 2018, Treasury Laws Amendment (2018 Measures No. 1) Bill 2018, Treasury Laws Amendment (Illicit Tobacco Offences) Bill 2018, Treasury Laws Amendment (Income Tax Consolidation Integrity) Bill 2018, Treasury Laws Amendment (National Housing and Homelessness Agreement) Bill 2018, Veterans' Affairs Legislation Amendment (Veteran-centric Reforms No. 1) Bill 2018; Second Reading (1 speech)
    I table revised explanatory memoranda relating to the Communications Legislation Amendment (Deregulation and Other Measures) Bill 2018 and the Treasury Laws Amendment (National Housing and...
• Committees (0 speeches)
  • Joint Select Committee on Constitutional Recognition Relating to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples; Appointment (2 speeches)
    A message has been received from the House of Representatives forwarding a resolution agreed to by that House relating to appointment of the Joint Select Committee on Constitutional Recognition...
  • Rural and Regional Affairs and Transport Legislation Committee; Report (1 speech)
    Pursuant to order and at the request of the chair of the Rural and Regional Affairs Legislation Committees, I present the report on provisions of the Airports Amendment Bill 2016, together with...
• Bills (0 speeches)
  • Copyright Amendment (Service Providers) Bill 2017; Report of Legislation Committee (1 speech)
    I present the report of the Environment and Communications Legislation Committee on the Copyright Amendment (Service Providers) Bill 2017, together with the Hansard record of proceedings and...
  • Appropriation Bill (No. 3) 2017-2018, Appropriation Bill (No. 4) 2017-2018; Second Reading (1 speech)
    I would like to thank all senators who've contributed to the debate on these appropriation bills. These bills seek authority from the parliament to top up the annual appropriations provided at...
  • Appropriation Bill (No. 3) 2017-2018, Appropriation Bill (No. 4) 2017-2018; In Committee (6 speeches)
    The question is that the bills be agreed to without amendments or requests.
  • Appropriation Bill (No. 3) 2017-2018, Appropriation Bill (No. 4) 2017-2018; Third Reading (1 speech)
    I move: That these bills be now read a third time. Question agreed to. Bills read a third time.
  • Social Services Legislation Amendment (Welfare Reform) Bill 2017; In Committee (143 speeches)
    The committee is considering an amendment moved by Senator Siewert. The question is that amendment (2) on sheet 8243, as moved by Senator Siewert, be agreed to. The committee divided. [17:50]...
• Adjournment (0 speeches)
  • Middle East (1 speech)
    Much has been made of the arrest of the Palestinian teenager Ahed Tamimi for slapping an Israeli soldier. Those promoting her cause would have us believe that Ms Tamimi is the poor victim of...
  • Medicare (1 speech)
    One of Australia's defining and proudest features is our support for and maintenance of a universal public health system. Unlike the United States of America, your access to good-quality medical...
  • Day, Mr Bob (1 speech)
    On 19 February this year, the Joint Standing Committee on Electoral Matters conducted a hearing in Adelaide into the decision of the Court of Disputed Returns in relation to its finding that...