Senate debates
Wednesday, 5 December 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. There being none, we will move on.
- Documents (0 speeches)
- Trade; Order for the Production of Documents (15 speeches)
I dealt, at the conclusion of question time yesterday, with the substantive matters in relation to the order passed by the Senate in the motion moved by Senator Hanson. I suspect the bringing...
- Business (0 speeches)
- Bills (0 speeches)
- Intelligence Services Amendment 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.
- Intelligence Services Amendment Bill 2018; Second Reading (6 speeches)
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— The work of the...
- Intelligence Services 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.
- Foreign Influence Transparency Scheme Legislation Amendment 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.
- Foreign Influence Transparency Scheme Legislation Amendment Bill 2018; Second Reading (4 speeches)
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— The Foreign Influence...
- Foreign Influence Transparency Scheme Legislation Amendment Bill 2018; Third Reading (2 speeches)
I understand no amendments have been circulated. Does any senator require a committee stage? If not, I shall call the minister to move the third reading.
- Family Law Amendment (Family Violence and Cross-examination of Parties) Bill 2018; Second Reading (6 speeches)
This bill, the Family Law Amendment (Family Violence and Cross-examination of Parties) Bill, reflects a change to the Family Law Act which Labor has been calling on the government to make for...
- Family Law Amendment (Family Violence and Cross-examination of Parties) Bill 2018; Third Reading (2 speeches)
No amendments 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 (2017 Enterprise Incentives No. 1) Bill 2017; Second Reading (3 speeches)
As we have conveyed publicly and to the government, we support the first schedule of the Treasury Laws Amendment (2017 Enterprise Incentives No. 1) Bill 2017, a bill that has sat in the Senate...
- Treasury Laws Amendment (2017 Enterprise Incentives No. 1) Bill 2017; In Committee (2 speeches)
I table a supplementary explanatory memorandum relating to the government amendment to be moved to this bill. Schedule 2 is opposed in the following terms: (1) Schedule 2, page 27 (line 1) to...
- Treasury Laws Amendment (2017 Enterprise Incentives No. 1) 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.
- Treasury Laws Amendment (2018 Measures No. 4) Bill 2018; Second Reading (4 speeches)
The Treasury Laws Amendment (2018 Measures No. 4) Bill 2018 includes measures aimed at addressing the significant problem of unpaid superannuation in Australia. Labor has repeatedly expressed its...
- Treasury Laws Amendment (2018 Measures No. 4) Bill 2018; Third Reading (1 speech)
The question now is that the remaining stages of the bill be agreed to and the bill be now passed, with amendments. Question agreed to. Bill read a third time.
- Treasury Laws Amendment (Enhancing Whistleblower Protections) Bill 2017; Second Reading (2 speeches)
I rise to make a contribution on the Treasury Laws Amendment (Enhancing Whistleblower Protections) Bill 2017. At the outset, I indicate that Labor will be supporting this bill. We wish to...
- Statements by Senators (0 speeches)
- Northern Australia (1 speech)
On 11 September 1990, I said in my first speech to this chamber: The future of our nation lies in north Queensland and northern Australia—an area of enormous diversity … I also said...
- John Lennon Educational Tour Bus (3 speeches)
As we round off this year—and this could possibly be my last contribution for this year or, who knows, the last one for this parliament, I don't know; Senator Cash might have a fairer idea...
- United Australia Party (1 speech)
With an election now likely in May 2019, I want to highlight the policies and principles that the United Australia Party, UAP, will be bringing to the federal election. UAP have a zonal taxation...
- Tasmanian Craft Fair, Tasmania: Community Services (3 speeches)
I'm pleased to contribute to the senators' statements today and very pleased to be talking about the wonderful state of Tasmania. I'd like to touch on a couple of things today, starting with the...
- Apprenticeships (10 speeches)
I rise today to discuss some serious issues in relation to apprentices. Apprenticeships and traineeships in this country, under the coalition, are in decline. The government has an appalling...
- Climate Change, Tarkine Region (1 speech)
Now, now, children. I'm actually going to speak about children. Last week, thousands of schoolkids all around the country went on strike. In capital cities, in regional centres, right around the...
- Discrimination (1 speech)
I rise to speak about the amendments the government has proposed in this chamber to the Sex Discrimination Amendment (Removing Discrimination Against Students) Bill 2018, because in all of the...
- Road Safety (1 speech)
I'm disturbed by recent news that 37 people have died on Tasmanian roads in the 12 months to September 2018. This represents a 20 per cent increase over the previous 12-month period and, despite...
- Climate Change, Mining Industry (14 speeches)
Would anyone care to utilise the time prior to the commencement of question time? Senator Watt.
- Questions without Notice (0 speeches)
- Energy (8 speeches)
My question is to Senator Cormann, the Minister representing the Prime Minister. Yesterday, the Prime Minister was forced by his own backbench to retreat on his energy big stick, with the Prime...
- Defence Procurement (8 speeches)
My question is to the Minister representing the Minister for Defence, Senator Payne. Will the senator update the Senate on the important investments that this government is making to keep...
- Energy (8 speeches)
My question is to Senator Cormann, the Minister representing the Prime Minister. Chief executive of the Business Council of Australia, Jennifer Westacott, has warned: The principle that...
- Telecommunications (8 speeches)
My question is to the minister representing the Attorney-General, Senator Cash. Late yesterday evening it was reported that the Parliamentary Joint Committee on Intelligence and Security had...
- Trade (8 speeches)
My question is to the Minister for Trade, Tourism and Investment, Senator Birmingham. How is the Liberal-National government's proactive trade agenda helping to deliver a stronger economy, more...
- Health Care (8 speeches)
My question is to Minister Scullion, representing the Minister for Health. I have a follow-up to my question last week regarding the international investigation into medical devices and Australia...
- Broadband (8 speeches)
My question is to the Minister for Communications and the Arts, Senator Fifield. Can the minister update the Senate on recent news in relation to the benefits that NBN connectivity is bringing to...
- Administrative Appeals Tribunal (8 speeches)
My question is to the Minister for Small and Family Business, Skills and Vocational Education representing the Minister for Home Affairs, concerning the Callinan review of the Administrative...
- Morrison Government (28 speeches)
My question is to the Minister representing the Prime Minister, Senator Cormann. In an article in The Australian entitled 'Timing of federal poll a "disaster" for Berejiklian', a Liberal New...
- Drought (8 speeches)
My question is to the minister for local government, Senator McKenzie. How is the Liberal-National government's strong economy allowing you to deliver the essential services that regional...
- Bali Democracy Forum (10 speeches)
My question is to the Minister for Foreign Affairs, Senator Payne. I refer to breaking reports in the Fairfax media that Senator Payne will be meeting with the Indonesian foreign minister, Retno...
- Vocational Education and Training (25 speeches)
My question is to the Minister for Small and Family Business, Skills and Vocational Education, Senator Cash. Minister, how is the Liberal-National government strengthening the Australian economy...
- Statement by the President (0 speeches)
- Parliament House (1 speech)
I have a statement to make about events in the building this morning. Some senators will be aware that this morning a large number of protestors entered the building and proceeded to occupy the...
- Questions without Notice: Take Note of Answers (0 speeches)
- Energy (11 speeches)
I move: That the Senate take note of the answers given by the Minister for Finance and the Public Service (Senator Cormann) to questions without notice asked by Senators Singh and Brown today...
- Telecommunications (1 speech)
I move: That the Senate take note of the answer given by the Minister for Small and Family Business, Skills and Vocational Education (Senator Cash) to a question without notice asked by Senator...
- Petitions (0 speeches)
- Discrimination (3 speeches)
I seek leave to make a short statement.
- Tarkine Region (3 speeches)
by leave—I, and also on behalf of Senator Whish-Wilson, table a petition signed by 270,000 people calling for the takayna/Tarkine to be protected by World Heritage listing. I seek leave to...
- Discrimination (1 speech)
by leave—I table a non-conforming petition from hundreds of Queenslanders—not quite as many as there were for the petition that Senator McKim's just tabled—relating to...
- Notices (0 speeches)
- Withdrawal (1 speech)
Pursuant to notice given on 4 December 2018, I now withdraw business of the Senate notice of motion No. 1 standing in my name for today proposing the disallowance of the National Vocational...
- Presentation (3 speeches)
I give notice that, at the giving of notices on the next day of sitting, I shall withdraw business of the Senate notice of motion No. 3 standing in my name for 14 May 2019 proposing the...
- Withdrawal (2 speeches)
by leave—I withdraw general business notice of motion No. 1227, standing in my name for today, proposing a temporary order relating to formal business.
- Business (0 speeches)
- Leave of Absence (1 speech)
by leave—I move: That leave of absence be granted to Senator Dean Smith for 5 December and 6 December 2018, for personal reasons. Question agreed to.
- Committees (0 speeches)
- Statement by the President (0 speeches)
- Discovery of Formal Business (1 speech)
I notify the Senate that tomorrow, given that we are time constrained in dealing with formal business, I will be complying with the provisions of standing order 66(2), which require me to deal...
- Committees (0 speeches)
- Bills (0 speeches)
- Business (0 speeches)
- Rearrangement (1 speech)
At the request of Senator Fifield, I move: That on Wednesday, 13 February 2019 consideration of the business before the Senate shall be interrupted at 5 pm, but not so as to interrupt a senator...
- Motions (0 speeches)
- Bush, President George Herbert Walker (1 speech)
I move: That the Senate— (a) acknowledges that President Donald J Trump has declared 5 December 2018 to be a national day of mourning for the American people; and (b) expresses its...
- Bills (0 speeches)
- Motions (0 speeches)
- Dementia (4 speeches)
At the request of Senator Polley, I move: That the Senate— (a) notes that: (i) there are more than 436,000 Australians living with dementia, with around 244 diagnosed with...
- Committees (0 speeches)
- Business (0 speeches)
- Consideration of Legislation (7 speeches)
I move: That— (a) the Home Affairs Legislation Amendment (Miscellaneous Measures) Bill 2018 be called on at 6 pm on Wednesday, 5 December 2018, and have precedence over all government...
- Committees (0 speeches)
- Motions (0 speeches)
- Mining Industry (8 speeches)
I move: That the Senate notes that the Adani Carmichael coal mine could be stopped by: (a) review of its environmental approval under section 145 of the...
- Queensland: Licensed Premises (8 speeches)
I move: That the Senate— (a) recognises the hardships faced by rural and remote towns in Queensland, which range from the physical threats of harsh droughts and bushfires, to the mental...
- Australia Day (5 speeches)
I move: That the Senate: (a) notes that: (i) on 26 January 1788, the First Fleet arrived at Port Jackson, and Arthur Phillip raised the Union Jack on the land of the Eora nation, (ii) this is now...
- Murray-Darling Basin Plan (7 speeches)
I move: That the Senate— (a) notes that: (i) the Murray-Darling Basin Plan (the Plan) has come under serious scrutiny from both the South Australian Royal Commission and the recent inquiry...
- Notices (0 speeches)
- Postponement (1 speech)
by leave—I, and also on behalf of Senator Pratt, postpone general business notice of motion No. 1208 until tomorrow.
- Motions (0 speeches)
- Migration (8 speeches)
I move: That the Senate— (a) congratulates the Scanlon Foundation on the release of the 2018 mapping social cohesion report; (b) recognises that: (i) the mapping social cohesion report is...
- Regional Broadband Scheme Levy (4 speeches)
I, and also on behalf of Senators O'Neill and Griff, move: That the Senate— (a) notes that: (i) the Minister for Communications and the Arts (the Minister) is seeking to legislate a $7.10...
- Disability Support Pension (1 speech)
At the request of Senator Brown, I move: That the Senate— (a) notes that: (i) people with disability make up 18% of the population, but 30% of people entering prison, (ii) the existing...
- Documents (0 speeches)
- Motions (0 speeches)
- Sea Shepherd Australia (7 speeches)
I move: That the Senate— (a) notes the service of the Sea Shepherd's MY Steve Irwin in defence of the world's oceans and marine life through a total of 18 campaigns over the past 10 years,...
- Queensland: Bushfires (7 speeches)
I move: That the Senate— (a) recognises: (i) the crucial role that all firefighting and emergency service personnel play as the front-line response to emergencies and disasters, (ii) the...
- Notices (0 speeches)
- Postponement (3 speeches)
I seek leave to amend general business notice of motion No. 1319 standing in my name relating to Halls Island on Lake Malbena in the Tasmanian Wilderness World Heritage Area in the terms...
- Motions (0 speeches)
- Climate Change (5 speeches)
I seek leave to amend general business notice of motion No. 1321 standing in my name. Leave granted. I move the motion as amended: That the Senate— (a) notes that: (i) national emissions...
- Documents (0 speeches)
- Taxation; Order for the Production of Documents (8 speeches)
I move: (1) That the Senate notes that— (a) on 16 October 2018, the Senate ordered the Commissioner of Taxation to provide information (company names) to the Economics Legislation Committee...
- Motions (0 speeches)
- China: Human Rights (8 speeches)
I ask that general business notice of motion No. 1317 standing in my name relating to Uygurs be taken as a formal motion.
- Matters of Urgency (0 speeches)
- Mining Industry (27 speeches)
I inform the Senate that at 8.30 am today 10 proposals were received in accordance with standing order 75. The question of which proposal would be submitted to the Senate was determined by lot....
- Committees (0 speeches)
- Bills (0 speeches)
- Committees (0 speeches)
- Documents (0 speeches)
- Answers to Questions on Notice (0 speeches)
- Members of Parliament: Conduct (1 speech)
I table a response to a question taken on notice during question time on 3 December 2018, asked by Senator Farrell, relating to the Prime Minister's zero tolerance of bullying policy in the...
- Committees (0 speeches)
- Bills (0 speeches)
- Adjournment (0 speeches)
- Energy (1 speech)
Paris, the 'City of Light', is ablaze. Ablaze not with shimmering Christmas lights strung along the ribs of the Eiffel Tower. No, Paris is ablaze not figuratively but literally. As we speak, the...
- Aged Care (1 speech)
In the five years of this government we have seen its failure to deal with the aged-care reform that was handed to them by Labor. We did the heavy lifting when we were in government, with the...
- Ridd, Professor Peter (1 speech)
In May this year, Professor Peter Ridd was sacked by James Cook University. His crime? To calmly and consistently call for the implementation of a quality assurance process to verify and...
- 50 Lives 50 Homes (1 speech)
I rise tonight to talk about a very important project in Western Australia, and the threats that it faces. In Western Australia there is a project running called 50 Lives 50 Homes. It's under...
- Climate Change (1 speech)
I rise to address the chamber on the matter of COP24, or the Conference of the Parties, taking place in Poland this week. The COP is an annual conference, but, as we draw towards 2030, when we...
