Senate debates

Thursday, 23 August 2018

• Committees (0 speeches)
  • Meeting (1 speech)
    I remind senators that the question may be put on any proposal at the request of any senator.
• Bills (0 speeches)
  • Social Services Legislation Amendment (Cashless Debit Card Trial Expansion) Bill 2018; Second Reading (20 speeches)
    I rise to speak in support of the Social Services Legislation Amendment (Cashless Debit Card Trial Expansion) Bill 2018. People are not entitled to welfare. It is charity. It's the gift of...
  • Social Services Legislation Amendment (Cashless Debit Card Trial Expansion) Bill 2018; In Committee (5 speeches)
    Well, what a shame that this place has, unfortunately, voted to pass the second reading, given—
• Committees (0 speeches)
  • Selection of Bills Committee; Report (7 speeches)
    I present the ninth report of 2018 of the Selection of Bills Committee and I seek leave to have the report incorporated in Hansard. Leave granted. The report read as follows— SELECTION OF...
• Business (0 speeches)
  • Leave of Absence (12 speeches)
    by leave—I move: That leave of absence be granted to Senator Dodson for today on account of parliamentary business. Question agreed to.
  • Rearrangement (1 speech)
    I move: That— (a) government business orders of the day as shown on today's order of business be considered from 12.45 pm today; and (b) government business be called on after consideration...
• Committees (0 speeches)
  • Legal and Constitutional Affairs References Committee; Reference (2 speeches)
    At the request of Senator Pratt, I move: That the following matter be referred to the Legal and Constitutional Affairs References Committee for inquiry and report by 11 September 2018:...
• Bills (0 speeches)
  • Social Security Legislation Amendment (Community Development Program) Bill 2018; First Reading (1 speech)
    I move: That the following bill be introduced: A Bill for an Act to amend the law relating to social security, and for related purposes. Question agreed to. I present the bill and move: That this...
  • Social Security Legislation Amendment (Community Development Program) Bill 2018; Second Reading (1 speech)
    I present an explanatory memorandum relating to the bill and move: That this bill be now read a second time. I seek leave to have the second reading speech incorporated in Hansard. Leave granted....
  • Farm Household Support Amendment (Temporary Measures) Bill 2018 (1 speech)
    I move: That the Senate: the provisions of paragraphs (5) to (8) of standing order 111 not apply to the Farm Household Support Amendment (Temporary Measures) Bill 2018, allowing it to be...
• Motions (0 speeches)
  • Annan, Mr Kofi (1 speech)
    I, and also on behalf of Senators Payne and Di Natale, move: That the Senate: (a) notes:   (i) the death, on 18 August 2018, of Mr Kofi Annan, a former United Nations Secretary-General...
  • Rohingya Refugees (10 speeches)
    I move: That the Senate— (a) notes:   (i) that 25 August 2018 marks one year since close to 700 000 Rohingya, mostly women and children, were forced to begin fleeing their homes...
  • Cosmetic Procedures (1 speech)
    I move: That the Senate: (a) notes that:   (i) Australians spend over one billion dollars per year on cosmetic surgery and cosmetic procedures,   (ii) most of these surgeries...
• Bills (0 speeches)
  • Australian Multicultural Bill 2018; First Reading (1 speech)
    I move: That the following bill be introduced: A Bill for an Act to establish the Australian Multicultural Commission, and for related purposes—Australian Multicultural Bill 2018. What a...
  • Australian Multicultural Bill 2018; 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...
• Business (0 speeches)
  • Consideration of Legislation (1 speech)
    I move: That the second reading of the A New Tax System (Goods and Services Tax) Amendment (Make Electricity GST Free) Bill 2017 be restored to the Notice Paper. Question agreed to.
• Motions (0 speeches)
  • Cosmetic Testing on Animals (4 speeches)
    I, and also on behalf of senators Polley, Hinch, Storer and Faruqi, move: That the Senate: (a) notes that:   (i) a Nexus Research poll on behalf of Humane Research Australia found that...
  • English Language (2 speeches)
    I move: That the Senate: (a) acknowledges that:   (i) a common language is the cornerstone of culture, sense of community and identity as a nation,   (ii) English has been,...
  • Australian Consumer Law (8 speeches)
    I move: That the Senate: (a) notes that:   (i) during the 2017-18 financial year, over 4 million items were recalled in Australia due to safety concerns, including Takata airbags,...
• Documents (0 speeches)
  • National Radioactive Waste Management Facility Site Selection; Order for the Production of Documents (2 speeches)
    I ask that general business notice of motion No. 1011 standing in my name for today, which concerns an order for the production of documents relating to a nuclear waste dump in South Australia,...
  • Suspension of Standing Orders (28 speeches)
    Pursuant to contingent notice, I move: That so much of the standing orders be suspended as would prevent me from moving a motion relating to the conduct of the business of this Senate, namely a...
• Bills (0 speeches)
  • Farm Household Support Amendment (Temporary Measures) Bill 2018; Second Reading (3 speeches)
    Labor is supporting the Farm Household Support Amendment (Temporary Measures) Bill 2018 and the government amendment to its own bill. The bill will allow eligible farm household allowance...
  • Farm Household Support Amendment (Temporary Measures) Bill 2018; 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.
  • Primary Industries Levies and Charges Collection Amendment Bill 2018; Second Reading (2 speeches)
    Labor supports the Primary Industries Levies and Charges Collection Amendment Bill 2018.
  • Primary Industries Levies and Charges Collection Amendment Bill 2018; 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.
  • Migration and Other Legislation Amendment (Enhanced Integrity) Bill 2017; Second Reading (2 speeches)
    Labor supports the Migration and Other Legislation Amendment (Enhanced Integrity) Bill 2017.
  • Migration and Other Legislation Amendment (Enhanced Integrity) Bill 2017; Third Reading (2 speeches)
    No amendments to the bill have been circulated. Does any senator require a committee stage? If not, I shall call the minister to move the third reading.
  • Space Activities Amendment (Launches and Returns) Bill 2018; Second Reading (4 speeches)
    Labor supports the Space Activities Amendment (Launches and Returns) Bill 2018.
  • Biosecurity Legislation Amendment (Miscellaneous Measures) Bill 2018; Second Reading (2 speeches)
    Labor supports the Biosecurity Legislation Amendment (Miscellaneous Measures) Bill 2018.
  • Biosecurity Legislation Amendment (Miscellaneous Measures) Bill 2018; Third Reading (2 speeches)
    No amendments to the bill have been circulated. Does any senator require a committee stage? If not, I shall call the minister to move the third reading.
  • Customs Amendment (Illicit Tobacco Offences) Bill 2018; Second Reading (2 speeches)
    Labor supports the Customs Amendment (Illicit Tobacco Offences) Bill 2018.
  • Customs Amendment (Illicit Tobacco Offences) Bill 2018; Third Reading (2 speeches)
    No amendments to the bill have been circulated. Does any senator require a committee stage? If not, I shall call the minister to move the third reading.
  • Treasury Laws Amendment (2018 Measures No. 3) Bill 2018; Second Reading (2 speeches)
    Labor supports the Treasury Laws Amendment (2018 Measures No. 3) Bill of 2018.
  • Treasury Laws Amendment (2018 Measures No. 3) Bill 2018; Third Reading (2 speeches)
    No amendments to the bill have been circulated. Does any senator require a committee stage? If not, I shall call the minister to move the third reading.
• Business (0 speeches)
  • Rearrangement (5 speeches)
    I move: That government business order of the day no. 1 (Social Services Legislation Amendment (Cashless Debit Card Trial Expansion) Bill 2018) be postponed till the next day of sitting.
• Bills (0 speeches)
  • Treasury Laws Amendment (Enterprise Tax Plan Base Rate Entities) Bill 2018; Second Reading (2 speeches)
    Labor will support the Treasury Laws Amendment (Enterprise Tax Plan Base Rate Entities) Bill 2017. This bill clarifies eligibility for the lower corporate tax rate for small and medium...
  • Treasury Laws Amendment (Enterprise Tax Plan Base Rate Entities) Bill 2018; 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.
  • Enhancing Online Safety (Non-consensual Sharing of Intimate Images) Bill 2018; Consideration of House of Representatives Message (4 speeches)
    I move: That the committee agrees to the amendment made by the House of Representatives.
  • Telecommunications Legislation Amendment (Competition and Consumer) Bill 2018, Telecommunications (Regional Broadband Scheme) Charge Bill 2018; Second Reading (10 speeches)
    I'll continue my remarks on the Telecommunications Legislation Amendment (Competition and Consumer) Bill 2018 and the Telecommunications (Regional Broadband Scheme) Charge Bill 2018, after...
• Ministerial Arrangements (0 speeches)
  • (3 speeches)
    by leave—I advise the Senate that Senator Canavan will be absent from question time today due to overseas ministerial business. In Senator Canavan's absence, Senator Scullion will represent...
• Questions without Notice (0 speeches)
  • Liberal Party Leadership (8 speeches)
    ) ( ): My question is to the Minister representing the Prime Minister, whoever that may be. Who is the Prime Minister of Australia?
  • Economy (19 speeches)
    My question is to the Minister for Education and Training, Senator Birmingham, representing the Treasurer. Can the minister update the Senate on the release of recent economic data on the...
  • Turnbull Government (14 speeches)
    My question is to the minister representing the Prime Minister, whoever that may be. How many ministers currently serve in the Liberal-National government? Who are they, and what are their portfolios?
  • Climate Change (8 speeches)
    My question is to the Leader of the Government in the Senate and Minister representing the Prime Minister, Senator Birmingham. Minister, isn't it time to be honest with the Australian people? The...
• Distinguished Visitors (0 speeches)
  • (1 speech)
    Order! We are joined by the Hon. Nick Sherry, who is visiting in the gallery above the government benches. Welcome back to the Senate, Senator Sherry. Honourable senators: Hear, hear!
• Questions without Notice (0 speeches)
  • Liberal Party Leadership (31 speeches)
    My question is to the Minister representing the Deputy Prime Minister, Senator Scullion. Does the National Party maintain confidence in the Liberal-National coalition government?
  • Goods and Services Tax (12 speeches)
    My question is directed to Senator Birmingham, who I understand represents finance matters for the government at the moment. Minister, can you please clarify whether Western Australia's $4.7...
• Motions (0 speeches)
  • Coalition Government (45 speeches)
    I seek leave to move a motion relating to the administration of the Commonwealth—namely: That the Senate: (a) has no confidence in the Government; (b) notes that the Government can change...
• Questions without Notice: Take Note of Answers (0 speeches)
  • Liberal Party Leadership, Turnbull Government (5 speeches)
    I move: That the Senate take note of the answers given by the Minister for Education and Training (Senator Birmingham) and the Minister for Indigenous Affairs (Senator Scullion) to questions...
• Statements (0 speeches)
  • (3 speeches)
    I seek leave to make a statement. Leave granted. Earlier today I made a mistake by voting in favour of motion 1007 moved by Senator Anning. I request that the record be corrected and apologise to...
• Committees (0 speeches)
  • Membership (2 speeches)
    Order! The President has received a letter requesting changes in the membership of various committees.
• Bills (0 speeches)
  • Customs Amendment (Pacific Agreement on Closer Economic Relations Plus Implementation) Bill 2018, Customs Tariff Amendment (Pacific Agreement on Closer Economic Relations Plus Implementation) 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.
  • Customs Amendment (Pacific Agreement on Closer Economic Relations Plus Implementation) Bill 2018, Customs Tariff Amendment (Pacific Agreement on Closer Economic Relations Plus Implementation) 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— CUSTOMS AMENDMENT...
  • Social Services Legislation Amendment (Student Reform) Bill 2018; 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.
  • Social Services Legislation Amendment (Student Reform) Bill 2018; 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— SOCIAL SERVICES...
• Committees (0 speeches)
  • Education and Employment References Committee; Report (1 speech)
    I present the report of the Education and Employment References Committee on the work health and safety of workers in the offshore petroleum industry together with the Hansard record of...
• Budget (0 speeches)
  • Consideration by Estimates Committees (1 speech)
    On behalf of the chair of the Economics Legislation Committee, I present additional information received by the committee as listed at item 14 on today's order of business. Economics Legislation...
• Committees (0 speeches)
  • Community Affairs References Committee, Select Committee on the Future of Public Interest Journalism; Government Response to Report (1 speech)
    I present two government responses to committee reports as listed on today’s Order of Business. In accordance with the usual practice, I seek leave to incorporate the documents in Hansard....
• Documents (0 speeches)
  • Commonwealth Environmental Water Holder, National Broadband Network; Order for the Production of Documents (1 speech)
    I table documents relating to orders for the production of documents concerning the Commonwealth Environmental Water Holder and the NBN Co.
• Motions (0 speeches)
  • Energy (18 speeches)
    At the request of Senator Collins, I move: That the Senate: (a) notes Government policy inaction is driving up electricity prices, and abandoning the National Energy Guarantee, as the Government...
• Documents (0 speeches)
  • Clean Energy Regulator; Consideration (1 speech)
    Document No. 7 on the Notice Paper is a report from the Clean Energy Regulator assessing the progress over 2017 in terms of meeting Australia's Renewable Energy Target for 2020. It's a pretty apt...
  • Great Barrier Reef Foundation; Consideration (1 speech)
    Document No. 9 on the Notice Paper is a letter to the President of the Senate from the former Minister for Finance and former Leader of the Government in the Senate, Senator Cormann, responding...
• Committees (0 speeches)
  • Select Committee on Red Tape; Consideration (1 speech)
    I move: That the Senate take note of the document. I chair the Select Committee on Red Tape, which was established in 2016 to inquiry into and report on the effect of red tape on the economy and...
  • Constitutional Recognition of ATSIP; Report (1 speech)
    I refer to the interim report of the Joint Select Committee on Constitutional Recognition Relating to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples. This is an ongoing process which,...
  • Human Rights Committee; Report (1 speech)
    I rise to speak on document No. 8, which is Human rights scrutiny report: report 8 of 2018, a report of the Parliamentary Joint Committee on Human Rights, a committee that came into being during...
  • National Disability Insurance Scheme; Consideration (1 speech)
    I rise to speak on document No. 13, the government response to the joint standing committee's examination of the transitional arrangements for the National Disability Insurance Scheme, known as...
• Adjournment (0 speeches)
  • Fisher Schools Debating Competition (1 speech)
    On 11 June 2018, Mr Wallace, the member for Fisher, held the inaugural Fisher Schools Debating Competition at Kawana Waters State College in the fabulous electorate of Fisher, on Queensland's...
  • Australian Greens (2 speeches)
    This is my final speech to the Senate. I'm not calling it a valedictory as I'm not retiring from politics. I'm not leaving politics. I'll continue campaigning outside this place on the same...