Senate debates

Thursday, 25 February 2021

• Bills (0 speeches)
  • Treasury Laws Amendment (Reuniting More Superannuation) Bill 2020; Second Reading (16 speeches)
    It's a great pleasure to get a chance to speak again on the Treasury Laws Amendment (Reuniting More Superannuation) Bill 2020.
  • Treasury Laws Amendment (Reuniting More Superannuation) Bill 2020; In Committee (6 speeches)
    I table a supplementary memorandum relating to the government amendments and a request for amendments to be moved to this bill.
  • Treasury Laws Amendment (Reuniting More Superannuation) Bill 2020; Third Reading (1 speech)
    I move: That this bill be now read a third time. Question agreed to. Bill read a third time.
  • Financial Sector Reform (Hayne Royal Commission Response No. 2) Bill 2020; Second Reading (8 speeches)
    I rise to speak on the Financial Sector Reform (Hayne Royal Commission Response No. 2) Bill 2020 on behalf of the opposition. This bill implements three provisions of the government's response to...
  • Financial Sector Reform (Hayne Royal Commission Response No. 2) Bill 2020; In Committee (3 speeches)
    Minister, you're aware that I have an amendment that has been circulated. My understanding, from your summing-up, is that you intend to look at the issues that would remedy the concern that I...
  • Financial Sector Reform (Hayne Royal Commission Response No. 2) Bill 2020; Third Reading (1 speech)
    I move: That this bill be now read a third time. Question agreed to. Bill read a third time.
  • Higher Education Support Amendment (Freedom of Speech) Bill 2020; Second Reading (1 speech)
    Labor will support the Higher Education Support Amendment (Freedom of Speech) Bill 2020. This bill adopts the recommendations from the French review and aligns the current legislation with the...
• Documents (0 speeches)
  • Members of Parliament: Staff; Order for the Production of Documents (1 speech)
    I table a response to the Senate order for production of documents No. 1034 on the matter of the reviews being undertaken by the Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet.
• Notices (0 speeches)
  • Withdrawal (2 speeches)
    Pursuant to notice given yesterday on behalf of the Standing Committee for the Scrutiny of Delegated Legislation, I withdraw business of the Senate notices of motion Nos 1 to 3 for the next day...
• Business (0 speeches)
  • Leave of Absence (2 speeches)
    by leave—I move: That leave of absence be granted to Senator Keneally for Thursday 25 February 2021, for personal reasons. Question agreed to.
• Committees (0 speeches)
  • Selection of Bills Committee; Report (1 speech)
    I present the third report of 2021 of the Selection of Bills Committee. I seek leave to have the report incorporated in Hansard. Leave granted. The report read as follows— SELECTION OF...
• Business (0 speeches)
  • 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; (b) government business be called on after consideration of the...
• Committees (0 speeches)
  • Autism Select Committee; Meeting (1 speech)
    by leave—On behalf of the Chair of the Select Committee on Autism, Senator Hughes, I move: That the Select Committee on Autism be authorised to hold a private meeting otherwise than in...
• Notices (0 speeches)
  • Withdrawal (1 speech)
    I withdraw general business notice of motion no. 1039 standing in the name of Senator Carr for today.
• Committees (0 speeches)
  • Environment and Communications References Committee; Reference (1 speech)
    I move: That the following matter be referred to the Environment and Communications References Committee for inquiry and report by 30 April 2021: The circumstances leading to the direction by the...
  • Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade References Committee; Reference (1 speech)
    At the request of Senator Kitching, I move: That the following matter be referred to the Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade References Committee for inquiry and report by 17 June 2021: The...
• Bills (0 speeches)
  • Special Recreational Vessels Amendment Bill 2021; First Reading (1 speech)
    I move: That the following bill be introduced: A Bill for an Act to allow special recreational vessels to apply for temporary licences under the Coastal Trading (Revitalising Australian Shipping)...
  • Special Recreational Vessels Amendment Bill 2021; Second Reading (1 speech)
    I present the explanatory memorandum 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. The speech read as...
• Motions (0 speeches)
  • Gas Industry (11 speeches)
    I, and also on behalf of Senator Roberts, move: That the Senate— (a) notes that:   (i) Australians own vast reserves of offshore natural gas and the Australian Government manages...
  • Northern Territory: Crime (8 speeches)
    I ask general business notice of motion No. 1036 relating to juvenile crime in the Northern Territory be taken as formal.
• Documents (0 speeches)
  • Department of Defence; Order for the Production of Documents (1 speech)
    I move: That the Senate— (a) notes that:   (i) a key role of the Senate is scrutiny of government expenditure,   (ii) in April 2020, Senator Patrick requested the...
• Motions (0 speeches)
  • NBN Co (5 speeches)
    I seek leave to move general business notice of motion No. 1040, and that it be determined without amendment or debate. Leave not granted. I move: That so much of the standing orders be suspended...
  • Tasmania: takayna Trail ultramarathon (5 speeches)
    Before moving general business notice of motion No. 1041, I inform the Senate that Senator Whish-Wilson will co-sponsor this motion. I, and Senator Whish-Wilson, move: That the Senate— (a)...
• Committees (0 speeches)
  • Economics Legislation Committee; Report (2 speeches)
    At the request of Senator McAllister, I move: That the time for the presentation of the Economics Legislation Committee into the provisions of the Treasury Laws Amendment (2021 Measures No.1)...
• Motions (0 speeches)
  • NBN Co (1 speech)
    by leave—I ask that Senator Hanson's name be added to motion 1040.
• Committees (0 speeches)
  • Northern Australia Committee; Membership (2 speeches)
    The President has received a letter requesting changes in the membership of the Northern Australia Committee.
• Bills (0 speeches)
  • Fair Work Amendment (Supporting Australia's Jobs and Economic Recovery) Bill 2021, Regulatory Powers (Standardisation Reform) Bill 2020; 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.
  • Fair Work Amendment (Supporting Australia's Jobs and Economic Recovery) Bill 2021, Regulatory Powers (Standardisation Reform) Bill 2020; Second Reading (1 speech)
    I table a revised explanatory memorandum relating to the Fair Work Amendment (Supporting Australia's Jobs and Economic Recovery) Bill 2021 and I move: That these bills be now read a second time....
  • Narcotic Drugs Amendment (Medicinal Cannabis) Bill 2021; 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.
  • Narcotic Drugs Amendment (Medicinal Cannabis) Bill 2021; 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— NARCOTIC DRUGS...
  • Higher Education Support Amendment (Freedom of Speech) Bill 2020; Second Reading (3 speeches)
    Earlier in my remarks I was reflecting on the reason that this bill is before us today, because former Chief Justice French has said: From the available evidence however, claims of a freedom of...
  • National Collecting Institutions Legislation 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. by leave—I move: That the provisions of paragraphs (5) to...
  • National Collecting Institutions Legislation Amendment Bill 2020; Second Reading (3 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 National Collecting...
  • National Collecting Institutions Legislation Amendment Bill 2020; Third Reading (2 speeches)
    I understand there will be no Committee of the Whole stage required on this bill, unless anyone in the chamber wishes to ask for it.
  • Education Services for Overseas Students Amendment (Refunds of Charges and Other Measures) Bill 2020; Second Reading (2 speeches)
    Labor will support the Education Services for Overseas Students Amendment (Refunds of Charges and Other Measures) Bill 2020. This bill enables the minister to provide regulatory fee relief...
  • Education Services for Overseas Students Amendment (Refunds of Charges and Other Measures) Bill 2020; Third Reading (2 speeches)
    No amendments have been circulated. As no senator requires a Committee of the Whole stage, I call the minister to move the third reading.
  • Higher Education Support Amendment (Freedom of Speech) Bill 2020; Second Reading (11 speeches)
    As I was saying earlier, academic freedom is essential to our universities. University staff must be free to conduct their teaching and research and must feel comfortable testing and extending...
• Questions without Notice (0 speeches)
  • Aged Care (12 speeches)
    Sadly, my question is to the Minister for Senior Australians and Aged Care Services, Senator Colbeck. Two days before Christmas last year, Lea received a call from her 86-year-old father's...
  • COVID-19: Vaccination (8 speeches)
    My question is also to the Minister representing the Minister for Health and Aged Care, Senator Colbeck. Can the minister update the Senate on the national COVID-19 vaccine rollout and how this...
  • Aged Care (32 speeches)
    My question today is to the Minister for Senior Australians and Aged Care Services, Senator Colbeck. Lisa's father, 94-year-old Dick Lee, was allegedly abused at Regis Nedlands. A report details...
  • Racism (12 speeches)
    My question is to the Minister representing the Prime Minister. In an extreme act of violence, an Aboriginal woman and her baby were attacked by a Nazi with a flamethrower this week. Why hasn't...
  • Sexual Harassment (16 speeches)
    My question is to the Minister for Women, Senator Payne. The Respect@Work report was delivered almost a year ago. In his speech at the International Women's Day breakfast this morning, Mr...
  • Western Australia: Energy (8 speeches)
    My question is to the Minister representing the Minister for Energy, Senator Seselja. Minister, the Western Australian Liberal-National opposition has committed to shutting down Western...
  • COVID-19: Economy (8 speeches)
    My question is to the Minister for Employment, Skills, Small and Family Business, Senator Cash. With the vaccine rollout underway and continuing signs of economic recovery across the country, can...
  • Assange, Mr Julian Paul (13 speeches)
    My question is to the Minister for Foreign Affairs, Minister Payne. Minister, the US government sought extradition of Australian citizen Julian Assange from the UK for espionage. Espionage is a...
  • Members of Parliament: Staff (8 speeches)
    My question is to the Minister representing the Minister for Home Affairs, Senator Cash. This morning the home affairs minister claimed he is not allowed to disclose information provided to him...
  • COVID-19: Asia-Pacific Region (8 speeches)
    My question is to the Minister for Foreign Affairs, Senator Payne. Will the minister outline what the government is doing to deliver on Australia's commitment to provide COVID-19 vaccines to our...
  • COVID-19: Vaccination (11 speeches)
    My question is to the Minister representing the Minister for Health and Aged Care, Senator Colbeck. Yesterday, following COVID vaccine overdoses by a doctor in Queensland, the Minister for Health...
• Questions without Notice: Additional Answers (0 speeches)
  • Racism (1 speech)
    I wish to add a little information to the answer I gave in relation to a question from Senator Thorpe. I am advised that earlier this week, the Minister for Home Affairs, Mr Dutton, re-posted a...
• Questions without Notice: Take Note of Answers (0 speeches)
  • Aged Care (5 speeches)
    I move: That the Senate take note of the answers given by the Minister for Sport and Minister for Senior Australians and Aged Care Services (Senator Colbeck) to questions without notice asked by...
  • Racism, Assange, Mr Julian Paul (2 speeches)
    I move: That the Senate take note of the answers given by the Minister for Finance (Senator Birmingham) and the Minister for Foreign Affairs (Senator Payne) to questions without notice asked by...
• Budget (0 speeches)
  • Consideration by Estimates Committees (1 speech)
    I present additional information received by committees relating to estimates: Budget estimates 2019-20 (Supplementary)—Education and Employment Legislation Committee—Hansard record...
• Committees (0 speeches)
  • Parliamentary Joint Committee on Human Rights; Report (1 speech)
    On behalf of the Parliamentary Joint Committee on Human Rights, I present the Human rights scrutiny report No. 2 of 2021.
• Petitions (0 speeches)
  • Immigration Detention (1 speech)
    by leave—I table a document, in the form of a non-conforming petition signed by 36,923 people, calling on the government to immediately release people seeking asylum and refugees from...
• Motions (0 speeches)
  • E-Cigarettes (28 speeches)
    I inform the chamber that Senators Siewert, Sheldon and Urquhart will also sponsor the motion. I, and also on behalf of Senators Siewert, Sheldon and Urquhart, move: That the Senate— a....
• Adjournment (0 speeches)
  • Liworaji Aboriginal Corporation (1 speech)
    On 10 February 2021, I was extraordinarily fortunate to visit with a wonderful group of Queenslanders at the Liworaji Aboriginal Corporation, based in Ipswich near my home office in Springfield....
  • Aerial Firefighting (1 speech)
    On 2 December last year Australian bushfires were discussed as a matter of public importance in this chamber, with sovereign aerial firefighting as a focal point. Last week a response from...