Senate debates

Thursday, 9 March 2023

• Bills (0 speeches)
  • Northern Territory Safe Measures Bill 2023; Second Reading (9 speeches)
    I have to begin my comments regarding the Northern Territory Safe Measures Bill 2023 by reflecting on the huge body of work that's been done by my colleague Senator Nampijinpa Price. The work she...
  • Therapeutic Goods Amendment (2022 Measures No. 1) Bill 2022; Second Reading (5 speeches)
    As a result of deferred votes, I'm going to put the question on second reading amendments. The question is that the second reading amendment moved by Senator Rice be agreed to. Is a division required?
  • Therapeutic Goods Amendment (2022 Measures No. 1) Bill 2022; In Committee (21 speeches)
    by leave—I move government amendments (1) to (3) on sheet UD159 together: (1) Schedule 10, item 1, page 29 (lines 6 to 8), omit subsection 61(13), substitute: (13) The Secretary is not...
• Committees (0 speeches)
  • Selection of Bills Committee; Report (7 speeches)
    I present the second report for 2023 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 general business notice of motion No. 175 be considered during general business today. Question agreed to.
• Committees (0 speeches)
  • Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade References Committee, Legal and Constitutional Affairs References Committee; Reporting Date (1 speech)
    I remind senators that the question may be put on any proposal at the request of any senator.
  • Finance and Public Administration References Committee; Reference (4 speeches)
    I move: That the following matter be referred to the Finance and Public Administration References Committee for inquiry and report by 26 September 2023: The management and assurance of integrity...
• Business (0 speeches)
  • Rearrangement (1 speech)
    At the request of Senator Wong, I move: That the government business order of the day relating to a motion concerning Afghanistan be called on immediately and the motion be determined without...
• Motions (0 speeches)
  • Afghanistan (1 speech)
    The question is that the motion be agreed to. Question agreed to.
• Business (0 speeches)
  • Withdrawal (5 speeches)
    I move: That the government business order of the day relating to the Financial Accountability Regime Bill 2022 and related bills be discharged from the Notice Paper.
• Bills (0 speeches)
  • Improving Access to Medicinal Cannabis Bill 2023; First Reading (1 speech)
    At the request of Senator Hanson, I move: That the following bill be introduced: A Bill for an Act to amend the law relating to the regulation of products made or that contain cannabis, and for...
  • Improving Access to Medicinal Cannabis Bill 2023; Second Reading (1 speech)
    I move: That this bill be now read a second time. I seek leave to table an explanatory memorandum relating to the bill. Leave granted. I table an explanatory memorandum and I seek leave to have...
  • Ending Native Forest Logging Bill 2023; First Reading (1 speech)
    I move: That the following bill be introduced: A Bill for an Act to repeal the Regional Forest Agreements Act 2002 and to amend the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999,...
  • Ending Native Forest Logging Bill 2023; Second Reading (1 speech)
    I move: That this bill now be read a second time. I seek leave to table an explanatory memorandum relating to the bill. Leave granted I table an explanatory memorandum and seek leave to have the...
  • Australia Council Amendment (Creative Australia) Bill 2023, Royal Commissions Amendment (Enhancing Engagement) Bill 2023; 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.
  • Australia Council Amendment (Creative Australia) Bill 2023, Royal Commissions Amendment (Enhancing Engagement) Bill 2023; Second Reading (1 speech)
    I move: That these bills be now read a second time. I seek leave to have the second reading speeches incorporated in Hansard. Leave granted. The speeches read as follows— AUSTRALIA COUNCIL...
  • Therapeutic Goods Amendment (2022 Measures No. 1) Bill 2022; In Committee (2 speeches)
    The committee is considering amendments (1) to (11) on sheet 1806 revised 2 moved by Senator Steele-John and amendments (1) and (2) on sheet 1849 moved by Senator Babet. The question is that...
  • Therapeutic Goods Amendment (2022 Measures No. 1) Bill 2022; Third Reading (1 speech)
    I move: That this bill be now read a third time. Question agreed to. Bill read a third time.
  • Work Health and Safety Amendment Bill 2022; Second Reading (3 speeches)
    The Work Health and Safety Amendment Bill 2022 is purportedly about safety and health, but what it's truly about is control and enabling injection mandates, vaccine mandates. This sets up the...
• Documents (0 speeches)
  • Budget; Order for the Production of Documents (5 speeches)
    I welcome the opportunity to explain to the Senate why the government is not able to release the Budget Process Operational Rules at this time. I also I acknowledge that we did release the last...
• Bills (0 speeches)
  • Work Health and Safety Amendment Bill 2022; Second Reading (3 speeches)
    When I was speaking before on the Work Health and Safety Amendment Bill 2022, I was talking about myocarditis. I've been speaking about this since I first stepped into this place. It is six to 28...
  • Work Health and Safety Amendment Bill 2022; In Committee (19 speeches)
    We have an amendment on sheet 1839 that's not on the run sheet?
  • Work Health and Safety Amendment Bill 2022; Third Reading (1 speech)
    I move: That this bill be now read a third time. Question agreed to. Bill read a third time.
• Statements by Senators (0 speeches)
  • Craig, Dr Theresa, Wray, Ms Dalene (1 speech)
    McDONALD () (): Australian agriculture needs champions, and I'm very proud to acknowledge two such champions here today: Dr Theresa Craig and Dalene Wray. Both were named members in the general...
  • International Relations: India (1 speech)
    Last week I had the pleasure of meeting with the Indian consul general to Victoria and Tasmania in Melbourne, Dr Sushil Kumar. We had a good discussion, and I learnt more about the important...
  • Workplace Relations (1 speech)
    ARBARA POCOCK () (): As Chair of the Select Committee on Work and Care, one issue that has come up repeatedly in our recent hearings around Australia is the way our workplace relations laws are...
  • LYONS, Dame Enid AD GBE, TANGNEY, Dame Dorothy Margaret (1 speech)
    Yesterday was International Women's Day, and so many wonderfully diverse events were held here in Canberra. The first one I attended was a very special event at Old Parliament House yesterday...
  • Australian Reading Hour (1 speech)
    I rise today to speak about Australian Reading Hour and the importance of licorice—literacy—in our daily lives. Literacy is so important to our development, and this begins with our...
  • South32 Rottnest Channel Swim (2 speeches)
    I love licorice! I want to talk about the South32 Rottnest Channel Swim. It's a 19.7-kilometre open-water swim from Cottesloe Beach in WA to Rottnest Island, held this year on 24 February. I have...
  • Taxation (1 speech)
    It's always a pleasure to follow Senator Glenn Sterle, at least in the speaking order as opposed to the ideology. What is it about the Labor Party and franking credits? They are obsessed. They...
  • Local Content Broadcasting (1 speech)
    It's always a pleasure to follow Senator Scarr, who always enjoys the pleasure of following Senator Sterle, but can I say that I am not as theatrical as Senator Scarr. Australia's new national...
  • Defence (1 speech)
    Right now, the most powerful forces in the media—the weapons industry and the political class—are baying for war, and we should all be alarmed. Twenty years ago the world went to war...
  • Assange, Mr Julian Paul (1 speech)
    My colleague Senator Shoebridge and I and the other parliamentary friends of Assange group met today with Julian Assange's father, John Shipton, and his lawyer, Stephen Kenny. We also heard from...
  • St Marys Camel Farm, Tasmania (1 speech)
    Sometimes words like 'passion' and 'entrepreneurship' can be overused, but I can't think of any better words to describe Ros and Jeff Wallace. The pair are the brains behind the St Marys Camel...
  • World Health Organization (1 speech)
    Last year the Albanese government continued the Morrison government's campaign to sign away Australian sovereignty to the United Nations World Health Organization, the WHO. Despite the attempt...
  • National Reconstruction Fund (1 speech)
    Today we celebrate a huge win for manufacturing, for the regions and for the climate. The Greens have ensured that the National Reconstruction Fund will not be used to fund coal and gas or native...
  • Wagin Woolorama (1 speech)
    I rise today to speak about the 50th anniversary of the Wagin Woolorama. Agricultural shows are the lifeblood of small regional communities, and I think—I might be a little bit...
  • Queensland: Storms (2 speeches)
    While parliament has been sitting this week, the top end of my home state, Queensland, has been experiencing heavy rain, showers and storms as a monsoon trough lingers over the tropics. Yesterday...
• Questions without Notice (0 speeches)
  • Kitching, Senator Kimberley Jane Elizabeth (10 speeches)
    My question is to the Minister representing the Prime Minister, Senator Wong. I refer the minister to the column written by former Labor state secretary and former Labor chief of staff Cameron...
  • Medicare (13 speeches)
    My question is to the Minister representing the Prime Minister, Senator Wong. Can the minister update the Senate on how the government is delivering on its commitment to establish 50 Medicare...
  • Superannuation: Taxation (22 speeches)
    My question is to the Minister representing the Treasurer, Senator Gallagher. Yesterday the Assistant Treasurer could not rule out that if a family farm is an asset in a self-managed super fund...
  • Workplace Relations: Silicosis (10 speeches)
    My question is for Minister Watt, representing the Minister for Employment and Workplace Relations. The federal government and Safe Work have been on notice about the deadly health impacts posed...
  • International Students (10 speeches)
    My question is to the Minister representing the Minister for Education, Senator Watt. Can the minister outline why international education is important to our economy and to building...
  • National Reconstruction Fund (8 speeches)
    My question is for the Minister representing the Minister for Industry and Science. I believe it's Senator Watt. The Albanese government has earmarked up to $3 billion from the National...
  • Superannuation: Taxation (19 speeches)
    ' SULLIVAN (—) (): My question is to the Minister representing the Treasurer, Senator Gallagher. On Monday this week, in response to a question from Senator Bragg, you said: Because of the...
  • COVID-19: Vaccination (12 speeches)
    My question is to the Minister representing the Minister for Health and Aged Care, Minister Gallagher. We meet again, Minister Gallagher. Last time we conversed in this chamber, you said in...
  • Climate Change (14 speeches)
    My question is to the Minister representing the Minister for Climate Change and Energy. Can the minister please update the Senate on how the government is ensuring Australia's biggest emitters...
  • Cybersecurity (18 speeches)
    My question is to the Minister representing the Minister for Home Affairs and Minister for Cyber Security, Senator Watt. The European Union, Canada, the United States and other jurisdictions have...
  • Natural Disasters (9 speeches)
    My question is to the Minister for Emergency Management, Senator Watt. Last year nearly 70 per cent of Australians lived in a natural disaster zone. Can the minister outline what steps the...
• Questions without Notice: Take Note of Answers (0 speeches)
  • Superannuation: Taxation (33 speeches)
    I move: That the Senate take note of the answers given by the Minister representing the Treasurer (Senator Gallagher) to questions without notice asked today. I rise to take note of answers by...
  • Workplace Relations: Silicosis (1 speech)
    I move: That the Senate take note of the answer given by the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry (Senator Watt) to a question without notice I asked today relating to silicosis. I...
• Committees (0 speeches)
  • Economics Legislation Committee; Government Response to Report (1 speech)
    I present the government's response to the report of the Economics Legislation Committee on its examination of annual reports tabled by 30 April 2010 and seek leave to have the document...
• Budget (0 speeches)
  • Consideration By Estimates Committees (1 speech)
    On behalf of the respective chairs, I present additional information received by committees relating to the following estimates: Budget estimates 2021-22— Finance and Public Administration...
• Committees (0 speeches)
  • Human Rights Joint Committee; Report (1 speech)
    On behalf of the Parliamentary Joint Committee on Human Rights, I present Human rights scrutiny report 2 of 2023.
  • Education and Employment Legislation Committee; Additional Information (1 speech)
    URQUHART (—) (): On behalf of the Chair of the Education and Employment Legislation Committee, Senator Sheldon, I present additional information received by the committee in relation to its...
  • Finance and Public Administration Legislation Committee; Report (2 speeches)
    On behalf of the Chair of the Finance and Public Administration Legislation Committee, Senator Pratt, I present the report of the committee on its examination of annual reports tabled by 31...
  • Work and Care Select Committee; Report (4 speeches)
    It is my pleasure to present the final report of the Select Committee on Work and Care, together with the Hansard record of proceedings and accompanying documents presented to the committee. I...
• Documents (0 speeches)
  • Royal Commission into Defence and Veteran Suicide (1 speech)
    I rise to speak to the motion to take note of the documents at No. 2 on page 6, on the defence and veteran suicide royal commission interim report. In relation to this, I just want to make a few...
• Petitions (0 speeches)
  • Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (1 speech)
    by leave—I table a nonconforming petition, previously circulated to whips, relating to the listing of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps as a terrorist organisation.
• Committees (0 speeches)
  • National Disability Insurance Scheme Joint Committee; Government Response to Report (1 speech)
    I take note of the government's response to the National Disability Insurance Scheme Joint Committee report into independent assessments. In case there's anybody who hasn't heard of the term...
  • Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade References Committee; Report (1 speech)
    I'd like to make some brief remarks about the Senate Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade References Committee report on the human rights implications of recent violence in Iran, which was tabled...
  • Intelligence and Security Joint Committee; Government Response to Report (1 speech)
    In the remaining time we have, I rise to briefly remark on the Australian government response to the Parliamentary Joint Committee on Intelligence and Security's report into the national security...
• Documents (0 speeches)
  • Deputy Chair of ASIC, Australian Carbon Credit Units, Commonwealth of Australia Credit Rating, Days and Hours of Meeting; Order for the Production of Documents (1 speech)
    by leave—I have four responses to returns to order to table.
• Committees (0 speeches)
  • Select Committee into the Provision and Access of Dental Services in Australia, Finance and Public Administration Legislation Committee, Legal and Constitutional Affairs Legislation Committee; Membership (2 speeches)
    Order! The President has received letters requesting changes in the membership of committees.
• Bills (0 speeches)
  • Treasury Laws Amendment (2023 Measures No. 1) Bill 2023; 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.
  • Treasury Laws Amendment (2023 Measures No. 1) Bill 2023; Second Reading (2 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— This Bill contains a...
  • Migration Amendment (Australia's Engagement in the Pacific and Other Measures) Bill 2023, Migration (Visa Pre-application Process) Charge Bill 2023; 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.
  • Migration Amendment (Australia's Engagement in the Pacific and Other Measures) Bill 2023, Migration (Visa Pre-application Process) Charge Bill 2023; Second Reading (2 speeches)
    I move: That these bills be now read a second time. I seek leave to have the second reading speeches incorporated in Hansard. Leave granted. The speeches read as follows— MIGRATION...
• Motions (0 speeches)
  • Albanese Government (19 speeches)
    I move: That the Senate notes the Albanese Government's broken promises to deliver cheaper power prices, cheaper mortgages, to not make any changes to super, as well as broken promises on...
• Adjournment (0 speeches)
  • Education (1 speech)
    I'm honoured to have spoken recently at the Australian Education Union conference down in Melbourne, where I was able to hear from union delegates and teachers. As a state school teacher of 25...
  • Road Safety (1 speech)
    I rise to bring the house's attention to some statistics that should ring alarm bells among those opposite who have the power to act. I'm joining the Australian Automobile Association in asking...
  • New South Wales State Election (1 speech)
    I rise in the chamber today to speak about the upcoming state election in New South Wales. I am proud as a Labor senator for New South Wales to also be the Labor duty senator for Parkes, Calare,...
  • Northern Rivers: Floods (1 speech)
    I rise today to talk about the extraordinary courage of the people of the Northern Rivers region of New South Wales. One year ago they were hit by the most unimaginable challenge, in the form of...