Senate debates

Wednesday, 24 November 2021

• Committees (0 speeches)
  • Environment and Communications Legislation Committee (11 speeches)
    by leave—I ask the Leader of the Government in the Senate to clarify whether the government intends again to seek leave to recommit the vote on general business notice of motion 1270,...
  • National Capital and External Territories Joint Committee, Road Safety Joint Select Committee; Meeting (1 speech)
    I remind senators that the question may be put on any proposal at the request of any senator.
• Business (0 speeches)
  • Rearrangement (16 speeches)
    I seek leave to move a motion relating to the consideration of general business notice of motion No. 1269 as circulated in the chamber. Leave not granted. Pursuant to contingent notice standing...
• Bills (0 speeches)
  • Independent National Security Legislation Monitor Amendment Bill 2021; In Committee (8 speeches)
    The committee is considering the Independent National Security Legislation Monitor Amendment Bill 2021 and amendments on sheet 1424 moved by Senator Patrick by leave.
  • Independent National Security Legislation Monitor Amendment Bill 2021; Third Reading (1 speech)
    I move: That this bill be now read a third time. Question agreed to. Bill read a third time.
  • Dental Benefits Amendment Bill 2021; Second Reading (6 speeches)
    In August 2012 the Gillard Labor government introduced the Dental Health Reform Package to the Australian people. A key part of this package was the Child Dental Benefits Schedule, delivering...
  • Dental Benefits Amendment Bill 2021; In Committee (4 speeches)
    [by video link] I move: That the House of Representatives be requested to make the following amendment: (1) Schedule 1, items 1 and 2, page 3 (lines 4 to 11), omit the items, substitute: 1...
  • Dental Benefits Amendment Bill 2021; Third Reading (1 speech)
    I move: That these bills be now read a third time. Question agreed to. Bill read a third time.
  • Crimes Amendment (Remissions of Sentences) Bill 2021 (8 speeches)
    Labor supports the Crimes Amendment (Remissions of Sentences) Bill 2021. It would amend the Commonwealth's Crimes Act. For starters, it would repeal section 19AA of the Crimes Act, which applies...
• Statements by Senators (0 speeches)
  • Autism: What Next (1 speech)
    Today I want to talk about Autism: What Next? It's a website that's recently been launched to assist families who are going through an autism diagnosis or have received an autism diagnosis and...
  • South Australia: Families (1 speech)
    I rise today to speak on one of the motivations which drives me most to be here in this position representing South Australians: the importance of supporting, uplifting and standing side by side...
  • Waste Management and Recycling (2 speeches)
    [by video link] It has been nearly 10 years since I gave my first senator's statement in this chamber. The most important thing I talked about that day was one of the key reasons I came into...
  • COVID-19: Airline Staff, Medicare (1 speech)
    [by video link] Recently I met with Hobart based flight attendants who have been stood down without pay, and I'd like to really thank those workers for coming to speak with me. We all know that...
  • Lambie, Senator Jacqui (1 speech)
    HANSON (—) (): [by video link] I want to talk today about a few facts that need to be cleared up. Yesterday on the floor of parliament Senator Jacqui Lambie made comments in her speech with...
  • Rifle Company Butterworth, Australian Broadcasting Corporation (1 speech)
    In my maiden speech I called for the introduction of the Australian Defence Veterans Covenant, which I was extremely proud to see introduced by this government in 2019. I've spoken in the Senate...
  • COVID-19: Northern Territory (1 speech)
    McCARTHY (—) (): [by video link] I'd like to update the Senate on the developing COVID outbreak here in the Northern Territory. While other parts of Australia, hopefully, start to come out...
• Statements (0 speeches)
  • Broadband (1 speech)
    As the last two years of rolling lockdowns across Australia have shown, access to a reliable, high-quality internet connection is essential. It's not a luxury; it's a utility. It's important that...
  • University of Tasmania (1 speech)
    For some time now, the University of Tasmania, with its own funds and extra taxpayer funding and support from the three tiers of government—local, state and federal—has been...
  • Education: Australian Curriculum (1 speech)
    I am concerned about the recent attempts by the minister for education to incite a culture war over the draft national curriculum created by the Australian Curriculum Assessment and Reporting...
  • Fair Work Amendment (Same Job, Same Pay) Bill 2021, Queensland: Cost of Living (1 speech)
    [by video link] I'm very pleased to be joining the Senate today from Cairns and to talk about the wages of workers in Queensland. What we know is that real wages are going backwards under the...
  • Lambie, Senator Jacqui (1 speech)
    [by video link] Yesterday, Senator Lambie falsely claimed under parliamentary privilege that I had leaked her private personal phone number. Senators Birmingham and Wong falsely implied that I...
  • Queensland: COVID-19 (1 speech)
    After months of dealing with snap lockdowns and border restrictions, Queensland is finally set to reopen on 17 December. This will come as a huge relief to many, but it is a source of great...
  • Australian Leather (1 speech)
    RIFF () (): I was very pleased when the Australian government recently threw its weight behind protecting generic Australian names that could be registered by US corporations. Australian Leather...
  • FedEx (1 speech)
    I rise to speak in support of thousands of FedEx workers and their families. Their livelihoods are being put at risk by the ideological and callous actions of their employer at a time when...
  • Infrastructure, Snowy Hydro (1 speech)
    In September 2020, I asked the Minister for Finance and his department about infrastructure projects being scoped and packaged so their value meant that only tier 1 contractors could bid for the...
  • Illicit Drugs (1 speech)
    [by video link] Whether the major parties like it or not, people choose to use drugs. It is up to the people in decision-making spaces to decide how we manage that reality and to craft policy...
  • Yothu Yindi (1 speech)
    [by video link] I'd like to speak about a book launched recently called Writing in the Sand by Matt Garrick. It's the story of Yothu Yindi. It was a wonderful and significant moment when this...
  • Victoria: Forestry (1 speech)
    Let me take you on a journey to a tall, wet forest in far-eastern Victoria. Rain is falling, filtered through massive trees towering above us. Birdsong echoes around us. There's clear water in a...
  • Religious Discrimination Bill 2021 (1 speech)
    I rise to make some remarks about the discussion we're about to have about religious discrimination. I think it's important that we pursue this through the lens of seeking freedom for all...
  • Hume Electorate: Incinerator (1 speech)
    I rise today to speak on the proposed Veolia waste incinerator and in support of the locals who really don't want this toxic project approved in their community. Labor has firmly stated its...
  • Australian Broadcasting Corporation (1 speech)
    The ABC are a bunch of sanctimonious hypocrites who are protected by this mob over here, who are running a protection racket with the Greens to stop examination of them! I want to talk about the...
• Statement by the President (0 speeches)
  • Standing Orders (1 speech)
    Yesterday I undertook to review the Hansard in relation to a point of order raised by the Leader of the Opposition in the Senate, Senator Wong, and come back to the Senate. The point of order...
• Questions without Notice (0 speeches)
  • Violence (8 speeches)
    My question is to the Minister representing the Prime Minister, Senator Birmingham. Why did the Morrison-Joyce government this morning refuse to pass a motion in the Senate which noted with...
  • Domestic and Family Violence (8 speeches)
    My question is to the Minister for Women's Safety, Senator Ruston. How is the Liberal-National government boosting the capacity of frontline domestic violence services?
  • Member for Dawson (8 speeches)
    My question is to the Minister representing the Prime Minister, Senator Birmingham. On Monday I asked the minister about a photo posted by LNP MP George Christensen of Victorian Premier Daniel...
  • National Security (8 speeches)
    My question is to the Attorney-General, Senator Cash. Can the Attorney-General inform the Senate of how the Liberal and National government is protecting the Australian way of life and ensuring...
  • Pet Food Safety (8 speeches)
    My question is to Senator McKenzie, representing the Minister for Agriculture and Northern Australia. In the first week of November, state and federal agriculture ministers met and considered the...
  • Rural and Regional Australia: Economy (8 speeches)
    My question is to the Minister representing the Deputy Prime Minister, Senator McKenzie. Can the minister outline how the Liberal and Nationals government's plan is contributing to the economic...
  • Domestic and Family Violence (10 speeches)
    My question is to the Minister for Women's Safety, Senator Ruston. The Women's Safety Summit's statement was clear: affordable and accessible short- and long-term housing is fundamental so that...
  • Rural and Regional Health Services (8 speeches)
    My question is to the Minister representing the Minister for Health and Aged Care. Earlier this month, the community of Wudinna in South Australia were advised by their local doctor, Dr Scott...
  • Prime Minister (9 speeches)
    My question is to the Minister representing the Prime Minister, Senator Birmingham. Why did Mr Morrison tell the March 4 Justice protesters that they were lucky not to be met with bullets but...
  • Banking and Financial Services (14 speeches)
    My question is to the Minister for Superannuation, Financial Services and the Digital Economy, Senator Hume. Can the minister outline to the Senate how the government's director ID program is...
  • Member for Dawson (10 speeches)
    I rise to ask a question of the Minister representing the Prime Minister, Senator Birmingham. On what date did Mr Morrison first become aware of Mr Christensen's posts which incited threats of...
• Questions without Notice: Additional Answers (0 speeches)
  • National Security (1 speech)
    I just need to correct a figure that I gave to Senator Molan in relation to an answer I provided. I said nine deaths. I meant nine attacks.
• Documents (0 speeches)
  • Centrelink's Compliance Program; Order for the Production of Documents (28 speeches)
    I table a document relating to the order for production of documents concerning the income compliance—
• Answers to Questions on Notice (0 speeches)
  • Question No. 4291 (4 speeches)
    I rise to seek an explanation pursuant to standing order 74(5)(a). I know the representing minister isn't in here, but the duty minister was briefed. I ask the minister representing the Minister...
• Questions without Notice: Take Note of Answers (0 speeches)
  • Violence (7 speeches)
    I move: That the Senate take note of the answer given by the Minister for Finance (Senator Birmingham) to a question without notice asked by Senator Wong today relating to violence. I rise to...
  • Domestic and Family Violence (1 speech)
    I move: That the Senate take note of the answer given by the Minister for Women's Safety (Senator Ruston) to a question without notice asked by Senator Waters today relating to domestic and...
• Notices (0 speeches)
  • Withdrawal (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 day of sitting to withdraw notices of motion...
• Committees (0 speeches)
  • Reporting Date (1 speech)
    I remind senators the question may be put on any proposal at the request of any senator.
• Bills (0 speeches)
  • Autonomous Sanctions Amendment (Thematic Sanctions) Bill 2021; First Reading (1 speech)
    I move: That the following bill be introduced: A Bill for an Act to amend the Autonomous Sanctions Act 2011, and for related purposes. Question agreed to. I present the bill and move: That this...
  • Autonomous Sanctions Amendment (Thematic Sanctions) Bill 2021; Second Reading (1 speech)
    I table the 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....
• Business (0 speeches)
  • Rearrangement (1 speech)
    I move: That on Thursday, 25 November 2021, the notice of motion proposing the disallowance of the Australian Charities and Not-for-profits Commission Amendment (2021 Measures No. 2) Regulations...
• Documents (0 speeches)
  • Western Australia: Gas Industry; Order for the Production of Documents (1 speech)
    I move: That there be laid on the table by the Minister representing the Minister for the Environment, by no later than 9.30 am on 25 November 2021, any correspondence between Woodside and the...
• Bills (0 speeches)
  • Electoral Legislation Amendment (Political Campaigners) Bill 2021; Reference to Committee (5 speeches)
    WATERS (—) (): At the request of another senator, I seek leave to amend business of the Senate notice of motion No. 2 by bringing forward the reporting date to 3 February 2022. Leave...
• Documents (0 speeches)
  • Australian Antarctic Division; Order for the Production of Documents (2 speeches)
    At the request of Senator Whish-Wilson, I move: (1) That there be laid on the table by the Minister representing the Minister for the Environment, by no later than 22 December 2021, the following...
  • National Cabinet; Order for the Production of Documents (7 speeches)
    I move: That, noting the Senate resolution of 23 November 2021 relating to National Cabinet and public interest immunity claims, there be laid on the table by the relevant ministers, by no later...
  • Environment; Order for the Production of Documents (4 speeches)
    I, and also on behalf of Senator Whish-Wilson, move: That there be laid on the table by the Minister representing the Minister for the Environment, by no later than 30 November 2021, the...
  • Shark Mitigation and Deterrent Measures; Order for the Production of Documents (4 speeches)
    I, and also on behalf of Senator Whish-Wilson, move: That there be laid on the table by the Minister representing the Minister for the Environment, by no later than 1 December 2021, the full...
• Matters of Urgency (0 speeches)
  • Climate Change (17 speeches)
    I inform the Senate that at 8.30 am today 18 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)
  • Intelligence and Security Joint Committee; Report (1 speech)
    I present a report of the Parliamentary Joint Committee on Intelligence and Security on Reviews of administration and expenditure no. 18 (2018-2019) and no. 19 (2019-2020): Australian...
  • Scrutiny of Bills Committee; Scrutiny Digest (1 speech)
    On behalf of the chair of the Standing Committee for the Scrutiny of Bills, Senator Polley, I present Scrutiny digest No. 17 of 2021.
  • Intelligence and Security Joint Committee, Law Enforcement Joint Committee; Government Response to Report (1 speech)
    I present government responses to committee reports as listed on today's Order of Business. In accordance with the usual practice, I seek leave to have the documents incorporated in Hansard....
• Ministerial Statements (0 speeches)
  • 2021 Annual Statement on Developing Northern Australia (3 speeches)
    On behalf of the Minister of Agriculture and Northern Australia, Minister Littleproud, I table a ministerial statement on developing Northern Australia.
• Documents (0 speeches)
  • Environment and Communications References Committee; Order for the Production of Documents (2 speeches)
    I table documents relating to the order for production of documents concerning questions asked by the Environment and Communications References Committee relating to oil and gas exploration and...
• Parliamentary Zone (0 speeches)
  • Proposed Works (1 speech)
    In accordance with the provisions of the Parliament Act 1974, I present a proposal for works within the Parliamentary Zone relating to the Dame Enid Lyons and Dame Dorothy Tangney commemorative...
• Bills (0 speeches)
  • Electoral Legislation Amendment (Political Campaigners) 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.   
  • Electoral Legislation Amendment (Political Campaigners) Bill 2021; Second Reading (1 speech)
    I table a revised explanatory memorandum relating to the bill and I move: That this bill be now read a second time. I seek leave to have the second reading speech incorporated in Hansard. Leave...
  • National Redress Scheme for Institutional Child Sexual Abuse Amendment (Funders of Last Resort and Other Measures) 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.
  • National Redress Scheme for Institutional Child Sexual Abuse Amendment (Funders of Last Resort and Other Measures) 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— This Bill will amend...
• Regulations and Determinations (0 speeches)
  • Industry Research and Development (Beetaloo Cooperative Drilling Program) Instrument 2021; Disallowance (4 speeches)
    On behalf of the Australian Greens, I move: That the Industry Research and Development (Beetaloo Cooperative Drilling Program) Instrument 2021, made under the Industry Research and Development...
• Adjournment (0 speeches)
  • Queensland: Senators (1 speech)
    It has been nearly 2½ years since I joined this chamber, and what an incredible privilege it is to be a representative for my state: the great state of Queensland. But, as that time has gone...
  • Banking and Financial Services (1 speech)
    I rise to speak on one of the forgotten casualties of the COVID-19 pandemic—that is, the rural bank branches. While many of you may not think that that is a major issue, it is actually a...
  • COVID-19: Vaccination (1 speech)
    [by video link] As a servant to the people of Queensland and Australia, I am ashamed to say that Australia is at war—at war with state and federal governments. I am appalled that Friday 17...
  • COVID-19: Western Sydney (1 speech)
    Tonight I'd like to focus on the impact of COVID in south-western Sydney. It was interesting to read today's front page of the Sydney Moring Herald about heavier lockdown measures being imposed...
  • Amazon.com (1 speech)
    This Friday is Black Friday, the biggest shopping holiday in the United States. It's also becoming increasingly popular in Australia. Ahead of Black Friday, I'm standing with the Transport...
  • Barossa Gas Project (1 speech)
    Given that gaslighting has been a clear theme of the day today, I rise tonight to speak on Santos's big, dirty Barossa gas project off the northern coast of Australia near the Tiwi Islands. The...
  • Regional Banking Taskforce, Employment (1 speech)
    Before I get on with what I wanted to speak on, I just want to refer to Senator O'Neill's contribution tonight. I want to thank her for raising the importance of the Regional Banking Taskforce,...
  • Economy (1 speech)
    After eight long years of Liberal-National government, Australians are finding it harder and harder to make ends meet. We're in the middle of a cost-of-living crisis. Eight years of wage...