Senate debates

Wednesday, 8 March 2023

• Committees (0 speeches)
  • Meeting (1 speech)
    I remind senators that the question may be put on any proposal at the request of any senator.
• Business (0 speeches)
  • Consideration of Legislation (1 speech)
    I move: Question agreed to.
• Bills (0 speeches)
  • Migration Amendment (Evacuation to Safety) Bill 2023; Second Reading (13 speeches)
    On 19 July 2013 Australia's government—a Labor government—reintroduced a policy of offshore detention, making it clear that someone who arrived in Australia by boat to claim asylum...
• Documents (0 speeches)
  • Closing the Gap, National Apology to the Stolen Generations: 15th Anniversary (23 speeches)
    With the concurrence of the Senate, the clerks will set the clocks in line with informal arrangements reached by senators.
• Bills (0 speeches)
  • Therapeutic Goods Amendment (2022 Measures No. 1) Bill 2022; Second Reading (5 speeches)
    In continuing my remarks, I acknowledge the origin of this bill, that being the Senate Community Affairs References Committee's inquiry into the impact of transvaginal mesh on women in Australia....
• Statements by Senators (0 speeches)
  • Aboriginal And Torres Strait Islander Voice (1 speech)
    I rise to share the success of the National Week of Action for the Voice. This historic week was held from 18 to 24 February. Across the country Australians from all walks of life came together...
  • Education (1 speech)
    I am delighted to rise in this debate as the new shadow minister for education. In taking over from Alan Tudge, I have very big shoes to fill. I would like to start by acknowledging Alan's...
  • Housing (1 speech)
    Right now, as I speak today, there is a crisis unfolding in my home state of Western Australia and right around the country. Tonight, approximately 9,000 Western Australians will experience a...
  • Charitable Organisations (1 speech)
    I have spoken on a number of occasions about issues concerning Australian charities because I am a strong advocate for charities. Charities and not-for-profits deliver enormous social benefit for...
  • Cost of Living (3 speeches)
    I want to speak about the cost-of-living crisis that all Australians are enduring under this Labor government. Yesterday, as the Reserve Bank raised interest rates for the 10th consecutive time,...
  • Australian Society (1 speech)
    I rise to speak as a very concerned Australian who has been given the privilege and the opportunity to be a representative on the floor of parliament for the people of this nation, especially...
  • National Security (1 speech)
    Last week I had the pleasure of attending the Australian International Airshow in Avalon in my home state of Victoria along with many of my colleagues on the Joint Standing Committee on Foreign...
  • Artificial Intelligence (1 speech)
    Artificial intelligence, or AI, is a field of computer science that focuses on creating intelligent machines that can perform tasks typically requiring human intelligence such as problem-solving,...
  • Domestic and Family Violence (1 speech)
    The inquiry into concussion in sport is groundbreaking. There is a high calibre of witnesses, from brain banks and neurologists to former AFL and NRL players, speaking of the harrowing impacts of...
  • 15-Minute Cities (1 speech)
    I rise here today to speak on the dangers of the 15-minute city. The Victorian government has begun pitching the brand new but old idea, taken from the playbook of our best mates at the World...
  • Coleman, Ms Marie Yvonne, AO, PSM (1 speech)
    In the few seconds available to me, I feel the obligation firstly to apologise, really, to the people who had to listen to the conspiracy theory, creeping extremism dangerous stuff that was...
  • Western Australia: Floods (1 speech)
    A crisis is unfolding in the East Kimberley right now as the region is left struggling and stranded because of surrounding floods. In January, the main trade route through to Fitzroy Crossing was...
  • Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Voice (1 speech)
    The National Week of Action for the Voice to Parliament was from 18 to 24 February. During this week, I attended open days at Edith Cowan University in Joondalup and at the University of Western...
  • Lake Pedder (1 speech)
    Today, 8 March, is the anniversary of the 1955 declaration of the Lake Pedder National Park. That richly deserved protection for a jewel in the heart of Tasmania's magnificent wilderness was...
  • Hoogewerf, Mr Richard (1 speech)
    They say that it takes a village to raise a child, and, sadly, my village lost one of its greats recently. After a lengthy battle with dementia, Richard Hoogewerf, surrounded by his loving...
  • Sydney WorldPride 2023 (1 speech)
    nator PRATT (—) (): Gather, dream, amplify—the WorldPride motto was certainly upheld last week at the Sydney WorldPride Human Rights Conference in Sydney. The conference upheld a wide...
  • Health Care (1 speech)
    I just want to raise that we have a huge problem with our medical institutions in this country. We cannot provide the services that Australians truly need through lack of funding, poor policy...
  • National Disability Insurance Scheme (1 speech)
    Over the last couple of days there have been a number of stories with regard to autism in the NDIS. I thought it was time we step forward to some of the stuff that's misleading and some of the...
  • Climate Change (1 speech)
    In the last nine months, with strong support from business, industry organisations, investor groups, unions, civil society and state and territory governments, we have increased the ambition to...
  • Narrabri Gas Project (1 speech)
    Two weeks ago I visited the town of Narrabri, where the traditional owners, environmental groups and others are fighting the Narrabri Gas Project. I was honoured to spend two days with the...
  • Energy (1 speech)
    Australia is an energy-rich nation. We are blessed with natural resources, such as an abundance of coal. This is what other countries can only dream of. As a result, we should always have...
  • International Women's Day (1 speech)
    I want to briefly speak about some amazing women, today, on International Women's Day. The first person I would like to acknowledge is Nicole Millis, who is the CEO of Rare Voices Australia....
  • Manufacturing Industry (1 speech)
    The Labor government says they have a commitment to Australian manufacturing and making things here. The former Liberal government said the same thing. I have to ask how that's going, after a...
  • International Women's Day (1 speech)
    For International Women's Day, I'm going to talk about my great-grandmother, Nan Edna Brown, a beloved elder who gave dignity to others, a Gunditjmara elder born in Hamilton, Victoria, in 1916....
  • Australian Securities And Investments Commission (1 speech)
    It's very important that our corporate regulator is respected and feared. I regret to say that in recent weeks the Australian Securities and Investments Commission has not performed particularly...
  • Coleman, Ms Marie AO, PSM (2 speeches)
    As we mark International Women's Day, we also commemorate 50 years since a woman was first appointed to lead an Australian government agency and we celebrate her 90th birthday. I welcome Marie...
• Questions without Notice (0 speeches)
  • Superannuation: Taxation (15 speeches)
    My question is to the Minister representing the Treasurer, Senator Gallagher. Minister, how many funds subject to Labor's doubling of the super tax are self-managed super funds?
• Ministry (0 speeches)
  • Temporary Arrangements (1 speech)
    I was so carried away with saying happy birthday to Marie Coleman that I forgot to give the statement by leave concerning ministerial arrangements! I seek leave to make a statement concerning the...
• Distinguished Visitors (0 speeches)
  • Mongolia: Parliamentary Delegation (1 speech)
    I draw to the attention of honourable senators the presence in the gallery of a parliamentary delegation from Mongolia, led by Mongolia's Minister of Education and Science, His Excellency...
• Questions without Notice (0 speeches)
  • International Women's Day (8 speeches)
    My question is to the Minister for Women, Senator Gallagher. On International Women's Day we look at how far we've come and where we're heading. Can the minister outline what's next on the...
  • Taxation (22 speeches)
    My question is to the Minister representing the Treasurer, Senator Gallagher. How should Australian companies pay franked dividends during periods when they are raising capital under the...
  • Women (20 speeches)
    Can I first acknowledge that it's International Women's Day. Happy International Women's Day to all, and to Marie Coleman, who's no longer in the chamber but whose presence is felt, and will be...
  • International Women's Day (8 speeches)
    My question is to the Minister for Foreign Affairs, Senator Wong. Noting that today Is International Women's Day, could the minister update the Senate on the situation facing women and girls in...
  • Indigenous Australians (14 speeches)
    My question is to the Minister representing the Prime Minister, Senator Wong. Does the Albanese government support the establishment of a sovereign, independent Aboriginal and Torres Strait...
  • Cost of Living (16 speeches)
    My question is to the Minister representing the Treasurer, Senator Gallagher. National Transport Commission data shows our truckies would pay an additional $2.6 billion in taxes and charges over...
  • Aboriginal Deaths in Custody (20 speeches)
    My question is to the Minister representing the Attorney-General, Senator Watt. This week Senator Dodson, a former commissioner of the Royal Commission into Aboriginal Deaths in Custody, has...
  • Manufacturing Industry (21 speeches)
    My question is to the Minister representing the Minister for Industry and Science, Senator Watt. What is the Australian government doing to transform Australian industry, and why is it important...
  • Health Care (13 speeches)
    My question is to the Minister representing the Minister for Health, Senator Gallagher. Your government went to the election with a promise to prioritise Australians' access to health care and...
• Budget (0 speeches)
  • Consideration By Estimates Committees (8 speeches)
    Pursuant to standing order 74(5), which requires that estimates questions on notice be answered within 30 days, I seek an explanation from the Minister representing the Minister for Health and...
• Questions without Notice: Take Note of Answers (0 speeches)
  • Superannuation: Taxation, Taxation, Cost of Living, Health Care (11 speeches)
    I move: That the Senate take note of the answers given by the Minister for Finance (Senator Gallagher) to questions without notice asked by Senators Payne, Chandler, Davey and Liddle today...
  • Aboriginal Deaths in Custody (1 speech)
    I move: That the Senate take note of the answer given by the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry and Minister for Emergency Management (Senator Watt) to a question without notice I...
• Notices (0 speeches)
  • Postponement (1 speech)
    I remind senators that the question may be put on any proposal at the request of any senator.
• Documents (0 speeches)
  • Environmental Biosecurity Risk Management; Order for the Production of Documents (1 speech)
    At the request of Senator Whish-Wilson, I move: That there be laid on the table, by the Minister for Agriculture, by no later than 5 pm on 6 April 2023, the following documents: (a) the final...
  • Clarion-Clipperton Zone; Order for the Production of Documents (1 speech)
    At the request of Senator Whish-Wilson, I move: That there be laid on the table by the Minister representing the Minister for Industry and Science, by no later than 5 pm on 6 April 2023, the...
  • Budget Process Operational Rules (1 speech)
    At the request of Senator Hume, I move: That the Senate— (a) notes that: (i) order for production of documents no. 123 was agreed by the Senate on 7 February 2023, requiring the Minister...
  • Otway Basin 2DMC Marine Seismic Survey; 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 Resources, by no later than 5 pm on 6 April 2023, the National...
  • Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry; Order for the Production of Documents (2 speeches)
    I, and also on behalf of Senators Brockman and Cadell, move: That there be laid on the table by the Minister for Foreign Affairs, by no later than 5 pm on Monday, 27 March 2023, the following...
• Notices (0 speeches)
  • Withdrawal (1 speech)
    I, and also on behalf of Senator Nampijinpa Price and Senator Brockman, seek to withdraw general business notice of motion No. 167.
• Documents (0 speeches)
  • Superannuation: Taxation; Order for the Production of Documents (2 speeches)
    At the request of Senator Birmingham, I move general business notices of motion No. 169 and No. 170: GENERAL BUSINESS NOTICE OF MOTION NO. 169 That there be laid on the table by the Minister...
  • Commonwealth of Australia Credit Rating; Order for the Production of Documents (2 speeches)
    At the request of Senator Hume, I move: That the Senate— (a) notes that: (i) order for production of documents no. 126 agreed by the Senate on 7 February 2023, requiring the Minister...
• Committees (0 speeches)
  • Select Committee into the Provision and Access of Dental Services in Australia; Appointment (1 speech)
    I proudly move: (1) That a select committee, to be known as the Select Committee into the Provision and Access of Dental Services in Australia, be established to inquire into and report on: (a)...
• Matters of Urgency (0 speeches)
  • Gender Equality (11 speeches)
    The President has received the following letter from Senator McKim: Pursuant to standing order 75, I give notice that today the Australian Greens propose to move "That, in the opinion of the...
• Notices (0 speeches)
  • Presentation (1 speech)
    by leave—I give notice that on the next sitting day I shall move: That the Senate notes the Albanese government's broken promises to deliver power prices, cheaper mortgages, to not make any...
• Matters of Public Importance (0 speeches)
  • Albanese Government (3 speeches)
    A proposal has been received from Senator Hughes: Pursuant to standing order 75, I propose that the following matter of public importance be submitted to the Senate for discussion: The...
• Matters of Urgency (0 speeches)
  • Gender Equality (6 speeches)
    Just on a quick procedural matter. There was some confusion at the end of the urgency motion. I didn't hear, because of what I describe as a change-of-shift issue—the urgency motion that we...
• Matters of Public Importance (0 speeches)
  • Albanese Government (6 speeches)
    The Liberals used to pretend they were standing up for working people. Now we know they're only standing up for the 0.5 per cent, and not the fact that 0.5 per cent are paying an appropriate...
• Matters of Urgency (0 speeches)
  • Gender Equality (1 speech)
    I understand that we need to vote on Senator McKim's urgency motion and that that needs to occur for reasons that precede my presence in the chair. I will now put the question that the motion...
• Committees (0 speeches)
  • Treaties Joint Committee, Intelligence and Security Joint Committee; Report (1 speech)
    I will do a couple and get them out of the way. On behalf of the Joint Standing Committee on Treaties, I present the committee's 206th report. On behalf of the Parliamentary Joint Committee on...
  • Scrutiny of Bills Committee; Scrutiny Digest (1 speech)
    I present Scrutiny digest 2 of 2023 of the Standing Committee for the Scrutiny of Bills. I move: That the Senate take note of the report. As the Deputy Chair of the Standing Committee for the...
  • Scrutiny of Delegated Legislation Committee; Delegated Legislation Monitor (1 speech)
    I present Delegated legislation monitorNo. 3 of 2023, together with ministerial correspondence relating to the report. I move: That the Senate take note of the report. This monitor reports on the...
  • Intelligence and Security Joint Committee; Report (1 speech)
    I rise to take note of the Parliamentary Joint Committee on Intelligence and Security report Review of the 2022 relisting of four organisations as terrorist organisations under the Criminal Code....
• Ministerial Statements (0 speeches)
  • Environment Protection Authority, Environment, Western Australia: Environment (1 speech)
    I table documents relating to orders for the production of documents concerning the government's response to the Samuel review, budget funding for the Environmental Defenders Office and...
• Bills (0 speeches)
  • Referendum (Machinery Provisions) Amendment Bill 2022; 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.
  • Referendum (Machinery Provisions) Amendment Bill 2022; 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— Today I introduce the...
  • Telecommunications Legislation Amendment (Information Disclosure, National Interest and Other Measures) Bill 2022; Explanatory Memorandum (1 speech)
    I table a replacement explanatory memorandum relating to the Telecommunications Legislation Amendment (Information Disclosure, National Interest and Other Measures) Bill 2022.
  • Therapeutic Goods Amendment (2022 Measures No. 1) Bill 2022; Second Reading (13 speeches)
    As a servant to the many and varied people making up the amazing Queensland community and Australian nation, I speak to the Therapeutic Goods Amendment (2022 Measures No. 1) Bill 2022. It's...
  • Work Health and Safety Amendment Bill 2022; Second Reading (6 speeches)
    I rise to speak in support of the Work Health and Safety Amendment Bill 2022. Work health and safety laws in Australia are a shared responsibility. Each jurisdiction is responsible for...
• Adjournment (0 speeches)
  • Mental Health (1 speech)
    I rise this evening to speak about youth mental health and the impact of social media. Professor Patrick McGorry spoke with me recently about the concerning increase in the number of young people...
  • McKenzie, Mr Malcolm 'Tiger' (1 speech)
    I would like to speak tonight about Malcolm 'Tiger' McKenzie. Tiger is a 70-year-old proud Aboriginal man. Tiger lives on a property near the town of Hawker in the stunning Flinders Ranges area...
  • Indigenous Australians (1 speech)
    In 2005 Tom Calma, as the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Social Justice Commissioner, called for a deep commitment to achieve equality in health and in life expectancy for Aboriginal and...