Senate debates

Wednesday, 1 December 2021

• Documents (0 speeches)
  • Urban Congestion Fund; Order for the Production of Documents (1 speech)
    On Monday the Senate agreed to an order for the production of documents requiring the Minister representing the Prime Minister to provide to the Finance and Public Administration References...
• Bills (0 speeches)
  • Treasury Laws Amendment (2021 Measures No. 5) Bill 2021; Second Reading (6 speeches)
    I would like to begin my remarks by acknowledging the passing of Mr David Dalaithngu. Mr Dalaithngu was a remarkable storyteller, painter, dancer and actor. His powerful presence connected with...
  • Treasury Laws Amendment (2021 Measures No. 5) Bill 2021; In Committee (10 speeches)
    I move the government amendment on sheet ZA122: (1)—Schedule 1, item 14, page 6 (lines 7 to 11), omit subsection 376-150(3), substitute: (3) Expenditure incurred by the company to acquire...
  • Treasury Laws Amendment (2021 Measures No. 5) 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.
  • Agricultural and Veterinary Chemicals Legislation Amendment (Australian Pesticides and Veterinary Medicines Authority Board and Other Improvements) Bill 2019; Second Reading (5 speeches)
    As I was saying last night when I opened my contribution on the Agricultural and Veterinary Chemicals Legislation Amendment (Australian Pesticides and Veterinary Medicines Authority Board and...
  • Agricultural and Veterinary Chemicals Legislation Amendment (Australian Pesticides and Veterinary Medicines Authority Board and Other Improvements) Bill 2019; In Committee (23 speeches)
    I take this opportunity to table a supplementary explanatory memorandum, and I seek leave to move government amendments (1) to (4) on sheet TK188 together. Leave granted. I move: (1) Schedule 1,...
  • Agricultural and Veterinary Chemicals Legislation Amendment (Australian Pesticides and Veterinary Medicines Authority Board and Other Improvements) Bill 2019; Third Reading (2 speeches)
    ENZIE (—) (): I move: That this bill be now read a third time.
  • Telstra Corporation and Other Legislation Amendment Bill 2021; Second Reading (2 speeches)
    I rise to speak on the Telstra Corporation and Other Legislation Amendment Bill 2021 and indicate at the outset that Labor supports this bill. I'd like to begin with a quote: It is good to see...
• Statements by Senators (0 speeches)
  • Senate Committees (1 speech)
    I rise to make a statement about the Senate committee system and its engagement on a particular issue. I think it's a very troubling precedent that we've seen in this place over the last week,...
  • Macintyre, Professor Stuart, AO (1 speech)
    I'd like to speak about the passing of Emeritus laureate Professor Stuart Macintyre. Unfortunately, I was unable to attend his funeral, which was held in Melbourne yesterday. On 22 November...
  • Climate Change (1 speech)
    We're about to finish another year in the Senate. I became a senator 7½ years ago. Seven years in one job, one place or one relationship is often when you ask yourself whether it's time to...
  • Federal Election, Queensland: Floods (3 speeches)
    We are blessed that we live in one of the oldest and most successful democracies in the world. Our good fortune has come not through chance but rather off the back of over a century's worth of...
  • Covid-19 (1 speech)
    We're here today in the last sitting week of the year, and I want to take this opportunity to express my deep thanks and appreciation to Australians after what has been an incredibly tough year....
  • Voter Identification Laws (1 speech)
    From time to time, I will put a question to the public: 'How would you vote if you were me?' I asked that recently on the government's proposed voter identification laws. The laws would require...
  • Greef, Mrs Avril, Greef, Mr Colin, Australian Capital Territory: Drug Laws (1 speech)
    On 19 July 1970, Avril Briggs had just turned 17. Her mother and father were heading to the harbour to see a Royal Navy ship called HMS Ulster. Avril decided that she would go with them. Little...
  • Rural and Regional Services: Health, Morrison Government (2 speeches)
    I rise to respond in part to some of the comments that we've just heard from Senator Seselja, who is in here decrying everyone but this government. In this constant failure to attach to reality,...
• Statements (0 speeches)
  • NAIDOC Awards (1 speech)
    I'm proud and excited to share with the Senate the news of this year's national NAIDOC Award recipients. These annual awards recognise the outstanding contributions of Aboriginal and Torres...
  • COVID-19: Child Care (1 speech)
    [by video link] I rise to question why the Queensland Labor government puts so little value in early childhood education. The mark of a good government is how it treats people. The economy is...
  • Assange, Mr Julian Paul (1 speech)
    N () (): [by video link] Stella Morris, Julian Assange's partner, tweeted today that a decision is imminent on this Walkley Award winning Australian's trial in the UK in relation to him being...
  • Independent Review into Commonwealth Parliamentary Workplaces (1 speech)
    I want to talk about the Jenkins report, which was released yesterday. We all need to be shocked about what it said. It was truly a shocking revelation about this place as a workplace, leading...
  • COVID-19: Vaccination (1 speech)
    [by video link] Today I will table a petition calling on this parliament to pass our One Nation legislation stopping COVID-19 injection discrimination. This petition was launched only 22 days...
  • Centre for National Resilience (1 speech)
    I rise today to speak about the sad decay and decline of the Centre for National Resilience, the quarantine facility at Howard Springs in the Northern Territory, under the watch of the Gunner...
  • Defence Procurement (1 speech)
    Yesterday in question time I asked Senator Payne about the government's decision to acquire nuclear powered submarines. Given the subs won't be delivered until the 2040s and the strategic threat...
  • Workplace Safety (1 speech)
    I want to direct my remarks today to the families of Jack Brownlee and Charlie Howkins—that's Lana Cormie and Mr and Mrs Brownlee. I also want to draw attention to Kate Catanzariti. I'm...
  • Bob Brown Foundation Environment Awards (1 speech)
    [by video link] Here in WA, we have a long and proud history of our community mobilising and organising in the face of government decisions that put our community and our environment at risk,...
  • Commissioner of Taxation (2 speeches)
    Yesterday, Labor Senator O'Neill presented the Senate Standing Committee of Privileges report on whether the Commissioner of Taxation committed a contempt by refusing to comply with an order of...
  • Independent Review into Commonwealth Parliamentary Workplaces (1 speech)
    Yesterday Sex Discrimination Commissioner Kate Jenkins handed down her report into Commonwealth parliamentary workplaces, Set the standard. This report was born from the bravery of women who once...
  • Morrison Government (1 speech)
    When Donald Trump was US President, Prime Minister Scott Morrison was, rightly, criticised for his cosy friendship with this white nationalist leader who was impeached twice and tried to steal an...
  • Bingham, Sir Eardley Max, QC (1 speech)
    It's right and proper to honour those who have made a lifetime's contribution to their community. Sir Max Bingham was such a person, who recently passed at the age of 94. Tasmania has lost one of...
  • South Australia: Girls with Attitude (1 speech)
    The release yesterday of Kate Jenkins' review into workplace culture in this building had some shocking content, especially on the treatment of women in this place. What I want to talk about...
  • Social Media: Anti-Trolling Legislation (2 speeches)
    The Morrison government is tackling the problem of online trolling and ensuring administrators of social media pages aren't liable for the comments that other people make on their page. Our...
• Questions without Notice (0 speeches)
  • Economy (8 speeches)
    My question is to the Minister representing the Treasurer, Senator Birmingham. The national accounts released today show that the Australian economy contracted by 1.9 per cent in the September...
  • Workplace Relations: Maritime Industry (10 speeches)
    My question is to the Minister for Industrial Relations, Senator Cash. Can the minister update the Senate on the risks to Australia's vital maritime supply chains and our economic recovery from...
  • Workplace Relations: Mining Industry (26 speeches)
    My question is to the Minister representing the Deputy Prime Minister and the Minister for Infrastructure, Transport and Regional Development, Senator McKenzie. The Minerals Council of Australia...
  • Commonwealth Integrity Commission (19 speeches)
    My question is to the Attorney-General. There has been extensive criticism of the government's Integrity Commission model—judged to be the weakest in Australia. We've been told repeatedly...
  • Independent Review into Commonwealth Parliamentary Workplaces (8 speeches)
    My question is to the Minister for Women, Senator Payne. Will the minister update the Senate on the steps the Liberals and Nationals government has taken this year in relation to supporting...
  • Commonwealth Integrity Commission (19 speeches)
    My question is to the Minister representing the Prime Minister, Senator Birmingham. Senator Fierravanti-Wells has described the draft Commonwealth Integrity Commission model put up by the...
  • Cybersafety (8 speeches)
    My question is to the Minister representing the Minister for Communications, Urban Infrastructure, Cities and the Arts, Senator Hume. Can the minister update the Senate on how the Liberal and...
  • COVID-19: Arts and Entertainment Industry (12 speeches)
    My question is to the Minister for Finance, Senator Birmingham. With the WHO declaring omicron a COVID variant of concern, which could lead to further restrictions and has already led to border...
  • Glen Eira City Council (20 speeches)
    My question is for the Minister representing the Minister for Communications, Urban Infrastructure, Cities and the Arts, Senator Hume. Glen Eira council revealed that their future funding was...
  • International Day of People with Disability (13 speeches)
    My question is to a fellow Western Australian, the Minister for the National Disability Insurance Scheme, Senator Reynolds. It's a question I'm sure we'll all be united on. Can the minister...
• Business (0 speeches)
  • Consideration of Legislation (15 speeches)
    I seek leave to move a motion relating to the consideration of legislation.
• Bills (0 speeches)
  • Telstra Corporation and Other Legislation Amendment Bill 2021; Second Reading (2 speeches)
    It is terrific to be able to continue my remarks about this bill, the Telstra Corporation and Other Legislation Amendment Bill 2021. I note that the changes proposed in this bill still maintain a...
  • Telstra Corporation and Other Legislation Amendment Bill 2021; Third Reading (2 speeches)
    As no amendments to the bill have been circulated and no senator requires a committee stage, I shall call the minister to move the third reading.
  • Autonomous Sanctions Amendment (Thematic Sanctions) Bill 2021; Second Reading (11 speeches)
    I rise to speak on behalf of the Labor Party on the Autonomous Sanctions Amendment (Thematic Sanctions) Bill 2021, which seeks to amend the Autonomous Sanctions Act 2011 to enable the listing of...
  • Autonomous Sanctions Amendment (Thematic Sanctions) Bill 2021; In Committee (24 speeches)
    by leave—I move: (1)—Clause 1, page 1 (lines 5 and 6), omit "Autonomous Sanctions Amendment (Thematic Sanctions) Act 2021", substitute "Autonomous Sanctions Amendment (Magnitsky-style...
  • Autonomous Sanctions Amendment (Thematic Sanctions) 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.
• Notices (0 speeches)
  • Withdrawal (1 speech)
    I withdraw contingent notice of motion No. 5A on the Notice Paper.
• Bills (0 speeches)
  • Defence Legislation Amendment (Discipline Reform) Bill 2021; Second Reading (10 speeches)
    I'm pleased to speak on the Defence Legislation Amendment (Discipline Reform) Bill 2021, which was introduced into the parliament in August and passed the House of Representatives on 1 September....
  • Defence Legislation Amendment (Discipline Reform) Bill 2021; In Committee (22 speeches)
    I table a supplementary explanatory memorandum relating to the government amendment (1) to be moved to the Defence Legislation Amendment (Discipline Reform) Bill 2021. I move government amendment...
  • Defence Legislation Amendment (Discipline Reform) Bill 2021; Third Reading (1 speech)
    The question is that the remaining stages of the bill be agreed to and the bill be now passed.
  • Electoral Legislation Amendment (Political Campaigners) Bill 2021; Second Reading (11 speeches)
    The question is that the bill be now read a second time.
  • Electoral Legislation Amendment (Political Campaigners) Bill 2021; Third Reading (1 speech)
    The question is that the remaining stages of the bill be agreed to and that the bill be now passed.
• Notices (0 speeches)
  • Presentation (2 speeches)
    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 business of the Senate...
• Committees (0 speeches)
  • Reporting Date (1 speech)
    I remind senators that the question may be put on any proposal at the request of any senator. There being none, I will proceed to the discovery of formal business.
• Budget (0 speeches)
  • Consideration by Estimates Committees (1 speech)
    I move: (1) That estimates hearings by legislation committees for 2022 be scheduled as follows: 2021-22 additional estimates: Monday, 14 February and Tuesday, 15 February and if required, Friday,...
• Business (0 speeches)
  • Consideration of Legislation (3 speeches)
    I move: That the provisions of paragraphs (5) to (8) of standing order 111 not apply to the following bills, allowing them to be considered during this period of sittings: Electoral Legislation...
• Notices (0 speeches)
  • Postponement (1 speech)
    I seek leave to postpone business of the Senate notice of motion No. 1, standing in my name for today, relating to a referral to the Environment and Communications References Committee...
• Committees (0 speeches)
  • Legal and Constitutional Affairs Legislation Committee; Reference (2 speeches)
    by leave—because remote participation doesn't allow Senator Hanson to move business of the Senate notice of motion No. 2 herself, at the request of Senator Hanson, I move: That the COVID-19...
• Notices (0 speeches)
  • Postponement (1 speech)
    I seek leave to postpone business of the Senate notice of motion No. 3, standing in my name for today, relating to a referral to the Legal and Constitutional Affairs Legislation Committee...
• Statements (0 speeches)
  • (5 speeches)
    I seek leave to make a personal statement. Leave granted. My apologies to the Senate for delaying the vote. I was actually at my desk. We've just had so many divisions, and it didn't register...
• Business (0 speeches)
  • Days And Hours Of Meeting (34 speeches)
    I move: That the days of meeting of the Senate for 2022 be as follows: Autumn sittings: Tuesday, 8 February to Thursday, 10 February Budget sittings: Tuesday, 29 March and Wednesday, 30 March...
• Documents (0 speeches)
  • Food Standards Australia New Zealand: Regulatory Impact Statement; Order for the Production of Documents (4 speeches)
    On behalf of Senator Whish-Wilson I move: That there be laid on the table by the Minister representing the Minister for Health and Aged Care, by no later than midday on 2 December 2021, the...
  • Food Standards Australia New Zealand: Submissions; Order for the Production of Documents (1 speech)
    IM (—) (): On behalf of Senator Whish-Wilson I move: (1) That there be laid on the table, by the Minister representing the Minister for Health and Aged Care, by no later than 8 December...
  • Offshore Petroleum Exploration Acreage Releases; Order for the Production of Documents (1 speech)
    At the request of Senator Whish-Wilson, I move: (1) That there be laid on the table by the Minister representing the Minister for Resources and Water, by no later than 8 December 2021, the...
• Bills (0 speeches)
  • Commonwealth Electoral Amendment (Ensuring Voter Choice Through Optional Preferential Voting and the Robson Rotation) Bill 2021; First Reading (1 speech)
    I move: That the following bill be introduced: A Bill for an Act to amend the law relating to elections in respect of ballot papers and to provide for optional preferential voting and ensure...
  • Commonwealth Electoral Amendment (Ensuring Voter Choice Through Optional Preferential Voting and the Robson Rotation) Bill 2021; Second Reading (1 speech)
    I table an explanatory memorandum 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. The...
• Statements (0 speeches)
  • Personal Explanations (1 speech)
    I seek leave to make a personal statement. Leave granted. I just want to unreservedly take back the comments that I made earlier when interjecting, and I apologise to that senator, Senator...
• Documents (0 speeches)
  • Beetaloo Cooperative Drilling Program; Order for the Production of Documents (4 speeches)
    ANSON-YOUNG () (): I seek leave to amend motion No. 1291 standing in my name, in the terms circulated to the chamber. It was simply a change to the minister's official title. Leave granted. I...
  • Community Development Grants: Grant Award GA1528; Order for the Production of Documents (4 speeches)
    At the request of Senator Whish-Wilson, I move: That there be laid on the table by the Minister representing the Minister for Infrastructure, Transport and Regional Development, by no later than...
  • Environment and Communications References Committee; Order for the Production of Documents (4 speeches)
    by leave—I, and on behalf of Senators Green and Patrick, move: That— (a) the Senate notes that: (i) in accordance with Senate resolution 44, government responses to committee reports...
• Committees (0 speeches)
  • Legal and Constitutional Affairs Legislation Committee; Reference (2 speeches)
    I seek leave to recommit business of the Senate No. 2 for a vote, based on the explanation provided by Senator O'Neill. Leave granted.
  • COVID-19 Select Committee; Report (1 speech)
    I present the third interim report of the Select Committee on COVID-19. I move: That the Senate adopt the recommendations contained in the report proposing orders for the production of documents....
  • 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 18 of 2021.
  • Scrutiny of Delegated Legislation Committee; Delegated Legislation Monitor (1 speech)
    On behalf of the Chair of the Standing Committee for the Scrutiny of Delegated Legislation, Senator Fierravanti-Wells, I present the Delegated legislation monitor 17 of 2021.
  • Treaties Joint Committee; Report (1 speech)
    On behalf of the Joint Standing Committee on Treaties, I present the 198th report of the committee relating to European tariff rate quotas following withdrawal of the United Kingdom.
  • National Disability Insurance Scheme Joint Committee; Report (1 speech)
    On behalf of the Joint Standing Committee on the National Disability Insurance Scheme, I present two reports as listed at item 17 of today's Order of Business, together with accompanying documents.
  • Human Rights Committee, Implementation of the National Redress Scheme Joint Select Committee, Australian Commission for Law Enforcement Integrity Joint Committee; Membership (2 speeches)
    I have received a letter requesting changes in the membership of committees.