Senate debates
Thursday, 11 June 2020
- Statement by the President (0 speeches)
- Senate Committees: 50th Anniversary (3 speeches)
Fifty years ago today the Senate established a committee system that forever changed the role and work of senators and the Senate and the parliament itself. On 11 June 1970, after five hours of...
- Bills (0 speeches)
- Statements by Senators (0 speeches)
- COVID-19, Infrastructure, Taxation (1 speech)
In the last few months, I've been inundated with calls from concerned constituents as to how Australia will move forward after the coronavirus lockdown. As the saying goes, no wind blows in...
- Road Safety (1 speech)
My contribution will not come as a shock to you or me, but I want to bring this to the attention of the chamber. I'm going to quote from a Channel Nine news article. A truck driver by the name of...
- Black Lives Matter (1 speech)
I rise to make a statement on Black Lives Matter and our work for justice. Over the last couple of weeks, a global antiracist movement has re-emerged to fight for racial justice and against...
- Women in Parliament (3 speeches)
'This is a time of crisis, unprecedented in the history of the nation and under conditions never before paralleled in this country.' Now, I would like to take credit for those words and that...
- Pensions and Benefits (1 speech)
I'm very mindful in this time in making my first substantive contribution about matters topical that's provided in this forum to acknowledge the COVID crisis and how that's changed how business...
- Springbank Secondary College, Smith, Ms Ann Marie (1 speech)
I rise today to speak about the potential closure of Springbank Secondary College, a unique school located in the federal seat of Boothby in South Australia. A review commissioned by South...
- Tasmania: COVID-19 (1 speech)
Before I start, I want to acknowledge the heartfelt words from Senator Griff on a matter which is very distressing. When I heard the news of Ms Smith's death I must say that I was particularly...
- JobKeeper Payment (6 speeches)
We know that some of the biggest decisions that will determine the long-term economic recovery of the Cairns region and other tourism towns in regional Queensland will be the decisions of this...
- Questions without Notice (0 speeches)
- Pensions and Benefits (8 speeches)
My question is to the Minister representing the Prime Minister, Senator Cormann. Yesterday the minister refused to accept that it was wrong to hound Nadia Sievewright over an illegal robodebt...
- COVID-19: Economy (8 speeches)
My question is to the Minister for Finance, Senator Cormann. Can the minister inform the Senate how Australia's economy is leading the developed world in its recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic...
- Pensions and Benefits (8 speeches)
My question is to the Minister representing the Minister for Government Services, Senator Ruston. Internal Centrelink documents show that the government ignored warnings to Services Australia as...
- COVID-19: Australia (7 speeches)
My question is to the Minister representing the Minister for Health, Senator Cash. Can the Minister update the Senate on the state of the government's health response to the COVID-19 pandemic and...
- Gambling (8 speeches)
My question is to the Minister for Families and Social Services, Senator Ruston. New South Wales and the Northern Territory have become the first jurisdictions to restart pokies. Prime Minister...
- JobKeeper Payment (13 speeches)
My question is to the Minister representing the Treasurer, Senator Cormann. Today, the member for Leichhardt called for Mr Morrison to extend JobKeeper, saying, 'There is a very strong argument,...
- Arts (7 speeches)
My question is to the Minister representing the Prime Minister, Senator Cormann. Senator, does art matter?
- COVID-19: Economy (8 speeches)
My question is to the Minister representing the Prime Minister, Senator Cormann. South-East Asian nations like Taiwan quickly learned with regard to COVID that they just had to isolate the sick...
- JobKeeper Payment (15 speeches)
My question is to Senator Cormann, the Minister representing the Prime Minister. Yesterday the minister said: I won't rule out adjustments at the end of the review. This morning Mr Morrison...
- Australia-India Relationship (8 speeches)
My question is to the Minister for Foreign Affairs. Can the minister update the Senate on the importance of Australia's relationship with India? How is the government strengthening our bilateral ties?
- Bushfire Recovery (20 speeches)
My question is to the Minister representing the Minister for Agriculture, Drought and Emergency Management, Senator Ruston. Last week it was reported that only four per cent of Australians living...
- Trade with India (8 speeches)
My question is to the Minister for Trade, Tourism and Investment, Senator Birmingham. Can the minister outline how the Australia-India comprehensive strategic partnership will benefit Australia...
- Pensions and Benefits (8 speeches)
My question is to the Minister representing the Prime Minister, Senator Cormann. Senator Cormann has on I think six occasions, in answers to a number of questions over the past two days, declined...
- Questions without Notice: Take Note of Answers (0 speeches)
- Pensions and Benefits (10 speeches)
I move: That the Senate take note of the answers given by the Minister representing the Prime Minister (Senator Cormann) and the Minister representing the Minister for Government Services...
- Arts (1 speech)
I move: That the Senate take note of the answer given by the Minister representing the Prime Minister (Senator Cormann) to a question without notice asked by Senator Hanson-Young today relating...
- Notices (0 speeches)
- Withdrawal (1 speech)
Pursuant to notice given yesterday on behalf of the Standing Committee for the Scrutiny of Delegated Legislation, I withdraw business of the Senate notice of motion No. 1 standing in my name for...
- Presentation (1 speech)
I give notice that shortly I will give notice of a motion to address the issue of no-one being left behind during the COVID-19 crisis. Senator McAllister to move on the next day of sitting: That...
- Postponement (1 speech)
I remind senators that the question may be put on any proposal at the request of any senator. There being none, and there being no other placing of business I shall now proceed to the discovery...
- Statements (0 speeches)
- Bills (0 speeches)
- Motions (0 speeches)
- Sheean, Ordinary Seaman Edward (Teddy) (6 speeches)
I, and also on behalf of Senator Lambie, move: That— (1) The Senate notes that: (a) on 23 July 2019 the Defence Honours and Awards Appeals Tribunal decided to recommend to the Minister for...
- COVID-19: Black Lives Matter Demonstrations (5 speeches)
I, and also on behalf of Senators Brockman and O'Sullivan, move: That the Senate— (a) notes: (i) the tremendous sacrifices made by all Australians during the COVID-19 pandemic,...
- Australian Broadcasting Corporation (8 speeches)
I move: That the Senate— (a) thanks the Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC) for its service in delivering vital emergency broadcasts and comprehensive coverage during national...
- Australia: Black Lives Matter (5 speeches)
I ask that general business notice of motion No. 604, standing in my name and the names of Senator Siewert and Senator Di Natale, related to Black Lives Matter and First Nation people be taken as...
- COVID-19: Queensland (5 speeches)
I, and also on behalf of Senators Rennick, McGrath, Canavan, McDonald and Stoker, move: That the Senate— (a) notes that: (i) the Queensland Palaszczuk Labor Government closed...
- Juukan Gorge (8 speeches)
I seek leave to amend general business notice of motion No. 608 standing in my name for today relating to the Juukan Gorge by amending paragraph f(i). Leave granted. I move the motion as amended:...
- Business (0 speeches)
- Withdrawal (1 speech)
I move: That the Government Business Order of the Day relating to the Fair Work (Registered Organisations) Amendment (Ensuring Integrity No. 2) Bill 2019 be discharged from the Notice Paper....
- Motions (0 speeches)
- COVID-19: Arts and Entertainment Industry (4 speeches)
At the request of Senators Sterle and Bilyk, I move: That the Senate— (a) recognises that: (i) arts and entertainment was one of the first Australian industries to be impacted...
- All Lives Matter (4 speeches)
I ask that general business notice of motion No. 612 standing in my name today relating to all lives matter be taken as a formal motion.
- Commonwealth Integrity Commission (4 speeches)
On behalf of Senator Watt and Senator Waters I move: That— (1) The Senate notes: (a) the Prime Minister's statement that the Government started working on its proposed Commonwealth...
- COVID-19: Aged-Care Workers (6 speeches)
On behalf of Senator Keneally and Senator Sheldon I move: That the Senate— (a) notes that: (i) the COVID-19 pandemic has had a significant impact on older Australians, their...
- Medically Supervised Injecting Rooms (5 speeches)
Before moving general business notice of motion No. 623, I wish to inform the chamber that Senator Keneally will also sponsor the motion. I, and also on behalf of Senator Keneally, move: That the...
- Australian Broadcasting Corporation (5 speeches)
I move: That the Senate— (a) notes that: (i) the ABC has asked staff to volunteer for redundancies as it prepares to axe more than 200 positions to meet the Federal Government's...
- Pensions and Benefits (5 speeches)
Before moving general business notice of motion No. 628, I ask that the names of Senators Siewert and Griff be added to the motion. I, and also on behalf of Senators O'Neill, Polley, Siewert and...
- Aboriginal Deaths in Custody (4 speeches)
I seek leave to amend general business notice of motion No. 620, standing in my name for today, relating to First Nations peoples. Leave granted. I move the motion as amended: That the Senate...
- Forestry (5 speeches, 1 comment)
I, and also on behalf of Senators Rice, McKim, Hanson-Young, Faruqi and Steele-John, move: That the Senate— (a) notes that: (i) Regional Forest Agreements are...
- Defence Procurement (4 speeches)
Before moving general business notice of motion No. 632, I ask that the name of Senator Gallacher be added to the motion, and I seek leave to amend general business notice of motion No. 632...
- World Tuberculosis Day (1 speech)
Before moving general business notice of motion No. 597, I ask that the name of Senator Faruqi be added to the motion. At the request of Senators Pratt, Scarr and Faruqi, I move: That the...
- Pensions and Benefits (4 speeches)
Before moving general business notice of motion No. 598, I ask that the name of Senators Siewert and McCarthy be added to the motion. I, and also on behalf of Senators Siewert and McCarthy, move:...
- Pancreatic Cancer (1 speech)
Before asking that this motion be taken as formal, I wish to inform the chamber that Senator Bilyk will also sponsor the motion. I, and also on behalf of Senator Bilyk, move: That the...
- Documents (0 speeches)
- Motions (0 speeches)
- Brisbane Sikh temple (1 speech)
I, and also on behalf of Senators Rennick, Canavan, McDonald, Stoker and McGrath, move: That the Senate— (a) notes that: (i) the Brisbane Sikh Temple (Gurdwara) Inc ("Brisbane...
- World MS Day (1 speech)
Before asking that the motion be taken as formal, I wish to inform the chamber that Senators Sterle, Siewert, McCarthy, O'Neill and Askew will also sponsor the motion. I, and also on behalf of...
- Financial Sector (4 speeches)
I move: That the Senate— (a) notes that on 31 January 2020, the Treasurer issued a press release which made the following statement in respect of the Financial Services Royal Commission:...
- Documents (0 speeches)
- Motions (0 speeches)
- Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II (1 speech)
Before moving general business notice of motion No. 618, I ask that the names of Senators Antic and Stoker be added as co-sponsors. I, and also on behalf of Senators Griff, Antic and Stoker,...
- Road Safety (1 speech)
Before moving general business notice of motion No. 619, I inform the chamber that Senators Sheldon, Bilyk and McDonald will also sponsor the motion. At the request of Senators Gallacher, Sterle,...
- Smith, Ms Ann Marie (4 speeches)
I, and also on behalf of Senator Steele-John, move: That the Senate— (a) notes with deep concern that: (i) so many disabled Australians are subjected to violence, abuse,...
- Bills (0 speeches)
- Motions (0 speeches)
- COVID-19: Pensions and Benefits (1 speech)
I move: That the Senate— (a) notes that: (i) the Coronavirus crisis has increased costs for many people with disability and carers, for instance: higher energy bills, extra...
- Documents (0 speeches)
- Committees (0 speeches)
- Northern Australia Committee; Reference (4 speeches)
On behalf of Senators Chisholm and Dodson, I move: That the following matter be referred to the Joint Standing Committee on Northern Australia for inquiry and report by 30 September 2020: The...
- Bills (0 speeches)
- Motions (0 speeches)
- Domestic and Family Violence (4 speeches)
I move: That the Senate— (a) notes that: (i) 25 women have been killed by violence since the start of 2020, as reported by Counting Dead Women Australia from Destroy The Joint,...
- Pensions and Benefits (2 speeches)
At the request of Senator Pratt I move: That the Senate— (a) notes that: (i) since mid-March the number of people receiving unemployment benefits has doubled, up from 812,000 on...
- Matters of Public Importance (0 speeches)
- Child Care (15 speeches)
I inform the Senate that, at 8:30 am today, 15 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)
- Public Works Committee; Report (1 speech)
On behalf of the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Public Works, I present the report of the committee on referrals made during November 2019 and February 2020. I move: That the Senate take...
- Joint Standing Committee on Trade and Investment Growth; Report (1 speech)
On behalf of the chair of the Joint Standing Committee on Trade and Investment Growth, I present the committee's report on trade transformation, and I move: That the Senate take note of the...
- Bills (0 speeches)
- Adjournment (0 speeches)
- Covid-19 (1 speech)
During times of crisis Australians, of course, come together. I want to take the opportunity to pay tribute to some of the local heroes here in Canberra who have done great things during the...
- Arts Industry (1 speech)
One of the first Australian industries to be hit by the restrictions that came into place in response to the COVID-19 crisis was arts and entertainment. While the restrictions on public...
- Steel Industry (1 speech)
I rise to speak on a very important manufacturing opportunity that we cannot—I repeat, we cannot—let slip by. ElectroNet and TransGrid are in the process of seeking approvals to build...
- Indigenous Australians (1 speech)
I rise to address this chamber about very important Indigenous issues which have been profiled at large over the last week or so. I believe that one of the most important issues that faces our...
- Bushfire Relief (1 speech)
We all remember the horrific scenes last summer when bushfires tore through so much of our country. Thirty-three lives were lost. Thousands of homes were destroyed. Millions of hectares were...
- Juukan Gorge (1 speech)
I rise tonight to speak on the irreplaceable loss of Juukan Gorge rock shelters in the Pilbara of Western Australia. These were wilfully destroyed. On Sunday 24 May, at the beginning of...
- Victorian Government (1 speech)
I rise in this adjournment debate to place on the record in the Australian Senate my profound concern about the Victorian Labor government's treacherous decision to enter into a belt-and-road...
- Superannuation (1 speech)
The government's scheme to allow emergency access to superannuation is perhaps one of the worst public policy decisions in their sordid history. The emergency access scheme has been a disaster....
