Senate debates

Thursday, 27 August 2020

• Statements (0 speeches)
  • COVID-19: Aged Care (13 speeches)
    I want to thank the Senate for the chance to further outline the government's record and commitment to preventing and tackling COVID-19 in aged care and how that has evolved as we learn more...
• Bills (0 speeches)
  • Family Assistance Legislation Amendment (Improving Assistance for Vulnerable and Disadvantaged Families) Bill 2020; Second Reading (3 speeches)
    I'm pleased to continue my contribution to the Family Assistance Legislation Amendment (Improving Assistance for Vulnerable and Disadvantaged Families) Bill 2020. I mentioned in my earlier...
  • Family Assistance Legislation Amendment (Improving Assistance for Vulnerable and Disadvantaged Families) Bill 2020; 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.
  • Superannuation Amendment (PSSAP Membership) Bill 2020; Second Reading (37 speeches)
    Labor will be supporting this Superannuation Amendment (PSSAP Membership) Bill 2020. It builds upon a bill introduced in the last parliament, which Labor also supported, which allowed people who...
  • Superannuation Amendment (PSSAP Membership) Bill 2020; Third Reading (2 speeches)
    I understand no amendments to the bill have been circulated. If no senator requires a committee stage by indicating so, I'll call the minister to move the third reading.
• Notices (0 speeches)
  • Presentation (1 speech)
    On behalf of the Standing Committee for the Scrutiny of Delegated Legislation, I give notice of my intention, at the giving of notices on the next sitting day, to withdraw notices of motion...
• Committees (0 speeches)
  • Selection of Bills Committee; Report (13 speeches)
    I present the 7th report of 2020 of the Selection of Bills Committee and I seek leave to have the report incorporated in Hansard. Leave granted. The report read as follows— 1. The...
• Business (0 speeches)
  • Leave of Absence (1 speech)
    by leave—I move: That leave of absence be granted to Senator Canavan for today for personal reasons. 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...
  • Consideration of Legislation (1 speech)
    I move: That the provisions of paragraphs (5) to (8) of standing order 111 not apply to the Coronavirus Economic Response Package (Jobkeeper Payments) Amendment Bill 2020, allowing it to be...
• Motions (0 speeches)
  • Pensions and Benefits (7 speeches)
    At the request of Senator Bilyk I move: That the Senate— (a) notes that:   (i) economists, business groups and civil society organisations are calling for a permanent increase to...
  • Retail Industry (8 speeches)
    At the request of Senators Ciccone, Polley, Farrell, O'Neill and Marielle Smith, I move: That the Senate— (a) recognises that members of the Shop, Distributive and Allied Employees...
  • Griffith, Sir Samuel Walker, GCMG, PC, KC (1 speech)
    Before moving general business notice of motion No. 747, I ask that the name of Senator Ryan be added to the motion. I, and also on behalf of Senators Dean Smith, Stoker, Antic, Molan, Paterson...
  • COVID-19: Health Care (1 speech)
    I move: That the Senate— (a) acknowledges that:   (i) Medicare is a universal healthcare system, paid for by all Australians, from the Federal Government to healthcare providers...
  • Gas Industry (7 speeches)
    I move: That the Senate— (a) notes that:   (i) 25 leading Australian scientists have just unanimously stated that there is no new role for gas and that 'existing and planned...
  • Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (16 speeches)
    I, and also on behalf of Senator McAllister, move: That the Senate— (a) welcomes the release of the Auditor-General's report Referrals, Assessments and Approvals of Controlled Actions under...
  • Pensions and Benefits (4 speeches)
    I, and also on behalf of Senators McCarthy, Urquhart and Bilyk move: That the Senate— (a) notes that:   (i) the Government's unlawful 'Robodebt' scheme has:...
  • Oil Exploration (6 speeches)
    I, and also on behalf of Senator Whish-Wilson, move: That the Senate— (a) notes that:   (i) each year the Australian Government releases areas in Australian waters for oil and gas...
• Bills (0 speeches)
  • Coronavirus Economic Response Package (Jobkeeper Payments) Amendment Bill 2020; 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.
  • Coronavirus Economic Response Package (Jobkeeper Payments) Amendment Bill 2020; 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— Just over four months...
• Regulations and Determinations (0 speeches)
  • Industry Research and Development (Bankable Feasibility Study on High-Efficiency Low-Emissions Coal Plant in Collinsville Program) Instrument 2020; Disallowance (2 speeches)
    Make no mistake as to what this is about: this is about jobs for North Queensland. Any attempt to stop this feasibility study from going forward is another dagger in the heart of North...
• Bills (0 speeches)
  • Competition and Consumer Amendment (Australian Consumer Law — Country of Origin Representations) Bill 2020; Second Reading (2 speeches)
    This afternoon we are debating a very important piece of legislation, the Competition and Consumer Amendment (Australian Consumer Law—Country of Origin Representations) Bill 2020. Labor...
  • Competition and Consumer Amendment (Australian Consumer Law — Country of Origin Representations) Bill 2020; 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.
  • Product Stewardship (Oil) Amendment Bill 2020, Excise Tariff Amendment Bill 2020; Second Reading (2 speeches)
    Labor are pleased to support both the Product Stewardship (Oil) Amendment Bill 2020 and the Excise Tariff Amendment Bill 2020. As we have seen emerge in Australia and around the world, product...
  • Product Stewardship (Oil) Amendment Bill 2020, Excise Tariff Amendment Bill 2020; 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.
  • Norfolk Island Amendment (Supreme Court) Bill 2020; Second Reading (2 speeches)
    Labor supports the Norfolk Island Amendment (Supreme Court) Bill 2020, which amends the Norfolk Island Act 1979. It's always a pleasure to take an interest in the affairs of Norfolk Island, which...
  • Norfolk Island Amendment (Supreme Court) Bill 2020; 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 (Customs) Charges Amendment (Dairy Cattle Export Charge) Bill 2020; Second Reading (6 speeches)
    Labor will be supporting the Primary Industries (Customs) Charges Amendment (Dairy Cattle Export Charge) Bill 2020. The purpose of the bill is to make the current voluntary $6 live dairy cattle...
• Questions without Notice (0 speeches)
  • COVID-19: Aged Care (19 speeches)
    My question is to the Minister for Aged Care and Senior Australians, Senator Colbeck. Today, before walking out of the chamber and turning his back on the scrutiny of the Senate, the minister...
  • Foreign Affairs (8 speeches)
    My question is for the Minister for Foreign Affairs, Senator Payne. Can the minister advise the Senate how the Morrison government is protecting and advancing Australia's interests by ensuring a...
  • COVID-19: Aged Care (8 speeches)
    My question is to the Minister for Aged Care and Senior Australians, Senator Colbeck. How is it that the minister's strongest defence of the failure to listen to the warning of Dorothy Henderson...
  • Royal Commission into Violence, Abuse, Neglect and Exploitation of People with Disability (8 speeches)
    My question is to the Minister representing the Attorney-General. Minister, the disability royal commission has been running since September of 2019 and many people and organisations have made...
  • COVID-19: Aged Care (10 speeches)
    My question is to the Minister for Aged Care and Senior Australians, Senator Colbeck. According to Mr Morrison, Kalyna Care notified the Department of Health it had a positive COVID-19 outbreak...
  • International Agreements (8 speeches)
    My question is to the Minister representing the Treasurer, Senator Cormann. Today's paper announced the government's intention to introduce legislation to unwind new and existing agreements...
  • Defence (8 speeches)
    My question is for the Minister for Defence, Senator Reynolds. Can the minister outline how the Morrison government is updating Defence's strategic policy and sharpening its capability to protect...
  • Environment (13 speeches)
    My question is to Senator Birmingham, the Minister representing the Minister for the Environment. Last week the Federal Court gave final orders in its judgement of illegal logging by VicForests...
  • COVID-19: Aged Care (27 speeches)
    My question is to the Minister for Aged Care and Senior Australians, Senator Colbeck. On 11 March the minister said in a media release that the Morrison government would: … support aged...
  • Vocational Education and Training (8 speeches)
    My question is to the Minister for Employment, Skills, Small and Family Business, Senator Cash. Minister, this week is the 10th National Skills Week, a week dedicated to raising the profile and...
  • COVID-19: Aged Care (13 speeches)
    My question is to the Minister for Aged Care and Senior Australians, Senator Colbeck. Given the multiple warnings, including the interim report of the royal commission entitled 'Neglect',...
  • COVID-19: Economic Support and Recovery, COVID-19: International Cooperation (9 speeches)
    My question is to the Minister for Families and Social Services, Senator Ruston. Can the minister update the Senate on her recent meeting with international counterparts and how Australia's...
• Questions without Notice: Additional Answers (0 speeches)
  • Royal Commission into Violence, Abuse, Neglect and Exploitation of People with Disability (1 speech)
    I have some further information to add in response to Senator Steele-John's question earlier, in question time. I can advise that, as I think I adverted to in my response, the government is...
  • COVID-19: Aged Care (4 speeches)
    I have some further information with respect to Kalyna Care, which I said I'd bring back to the chamber. The department and the local PHU were notified of the outbreak at Kalyna Care on 27 July....
• Questions without Notice: Take Note of Answers (0 speeches)
  • COVID-19: Aged Care (7 speeches)
    I move: That the Senate take note of the answers given by the Minister for Aged Care and Senior Australians (Senator Colbeck)to questions without notice asked by Opposition senators today...
  • Royal Commission into Violence, Abuse, Neglect and Exploitation of People with Disability, Environment (3 speeches)
    I move: That the Senate take note of the answers given by the Minister for Foreign Affairs (Senator Payne) and the Minister for Trade, Tourism and Investment (Senator Birmingham) to questions...
• Committees (0 speeches)
  • Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade References Committee; Report (1 speech)
    Pursuant to order and at the request of the Chair of the Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade References committee, Senator Kitching, I present the report Opportunities for strengthening...
• Budget (0 speeches)
  • Consideration by Estimates Committees (1 speech)
    I present additional information received by committees relating to the following estimates: Budget estimates 2019-20—Education and Employment Legislation Committee—Additional...
• Committees (0 speeches)
  • Intelligence and Security Joint Committee; Report (2 speeches)
    On behalf of the Parliamentary Joint Committee on Intelligence and Security, I present the committee's report Inquiry into the impact of the exercise of law enforcement and intelligence powers on...
  • Senate Standing Committee for the Scrutiny of Delegated Legislation; Delegated Legislation Monitor (1 speech)
    I present Delegated Legislation Monitor No. 9 of 2020 of the Standing Committee for the Scrutiny of Delegated Legislation and move: That the Senate take note of the report. I rise to speak to the...
  • Intelligence and Security Joint Committee; Report (2 speeches)
    I rise to speak to the Parliamentary Joint Committee on Intelligence and Security's inquiry into the impact of the exercise of law enforcement and intelligence powers on the freedom of the press....
• Documents (0 speeches)
  • President's Report to the Senate; Consideration (1 speech)
    I move: That the Senate take note of the document. I rise to speak on the President's report to the Senate on the status of government responses to parliamentary committee reports. This report...
  • COVID-19; Consideration (1 speech)
    ) ( ): I move: That the Senate take note of the document. I'd like to use this opportunity on behalf of all of the senators in this place, I'm sure, to acknowledge our appreciation—indeed,...
• Committees (0 speeches)
  • Community Affairs References Committee; Government Response to Report (1 speech)
    I move: That the Senate take note of the document. This report was a very, very important report. It was important then, and it's even more important now. I'll remind people what this report is....
  • National Disability Insurance Scheme Joint Committee; Report (1 speech)
    I rise to take note of the Joint Standing committee on the NDIS's recently released report into supported independent living. It was quite an extensive inquiry and series of hearings that were...
  • Education and Employment References Committee; Government Response to Report (1 speech)
    This report is a really important topic and a topic that I'm very, very interested in. In fact, it's one of the things that inspired me to stand for parliament. I've got experience in the...
  • National Disability Insurance Scheme Joint Committee; Report (1 speech)
    I rise to take note of the Joint Standing Committee on the National Disability Insurance Scheme NDIS planning interim report. Whilst I note this is an interim report, I would like to acknowledge...
• Documents (0 speeches)
  • MV Al Kuwait; Order for the Production of Documents (4 speeches)
    I table a document relating to the order for the production of documents concerning the independent observer report on MV Al Kuwait.
• Motions (0 speeches)
  • COVID-19: Aged Care (6 speeches)
    At the request of Senator Keneally, I move: That the Senate notes that the Morrison government has neglected Australians in aged care by ignoring the warnings from COVID-19 outbreaks in the...
• Adjournment (0 speeches)
  • Queensland State Election (3 speeches)
    It's 64 days to the upcoming state election—
  • Stillbirth (1 speech)
    I rise to speak on a more serious matter. As someone who has suffered the devastation of a stillbirth, I understand that parents who experience this tragedy need support to recover. Thirty-seven...
  • COVID-19: State and Territory Border Closures (1 speech)
    In this difficult and challenging year, as my friends in Melbourne endure the hardest of winters and my friends in Sydney are advised daily of a list of places whose visitors must get tested and...
  • Youth Incarceration (1 speech)
    In all Australian states and territories, kids as young as 10 years old can be sent to prison. I don't know how many times I need to say it in this place, but I'll say it again: children do not...