Senate debates

Wednesday, 6 September 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.
• Bills (0 speeches)
  • Digital Assets (Market Regulation) Bill 2023; Second Reading (5 speeches)
    I rise to make some comments as a second reading debate speech in relation to this bill on digital assets. The reason that this bill has been introduced is that the government have put regulation...
  • Inspector-General of Intelligence and Security and Other Legislation Amendment (Modernisation) 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.
  • Statute Law Amendment (Prescribed Forms and Other Updates) Bill 2023; Second Reading (3 speeches)
    I rise to state that the coalition will be supporting this bill. The bill makes minor amendments across 85 Commonwealth acts. These types of bills come before parliament from time to time....
  • Statute Law Amendment (Prescribed Forms and Other Updates) Bill 2023; Third Reading (2 speeches)
    As no amendments to the bill have been circulated, I shall call the minister to move the third reading unless any senator requires that the bill be considered in Committee of the Whole.
  • Treasury Laws Amendment (2023 Measures No. 3) Bill 2023; Second Reading (13 speeches)
    The coalition will be supporting the Treasury Laws Amendment (2023 Measures No. 3) Bill 2023. This is a four-schedule Treasury omnibus bill, and many of the changes in this bill continue the work...
  • Treasury Laws Amendment (2023 Measures No. 3) Bill 2023; Third Reading (2 speeches)
    No amendments have been circulated, but does any senator require a committee stage? If not, I'll call the minister.
  • Treasury Laws Amendment (2023 Law Improvement Package No. 1) Bill 2023; Second Reading (12 speeches)
    The Treasury Laws Amendment (2023 Law Improvement Package No. 1) Bill 2023 is a six-schedule Treasury omnibus bill, and the coalition will be supporting this bill. The compliance burden and...
• Statements by Senators (0 speeches)
  • International Relations (1 speech)
    On Monday of this week, I spoke in the chamber about my recent travel to Lithuania and the deeply enriching experience of meeting with diplomats, parliamentarians and stakeholders from a wide...
  • Pacific Australia Labour Mobility Scheme (1 speech)
    I rise to make a contribution in relation to the PALM scheme, which is so important to so many regional communities around our country. I also want to express the significant nervousness that...
  • Australian Constitution: Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Voice (1 speech)
    We all know that that there's a referendum coming up, and last week we finally received the date of 14 October. This is a very exciting time for our nation and an important opportunity to refresh...
  • Qantas (1 speech)
    Today marks a very special day. I've never been so excited to see a CEO leave an entity as I am today. I shouldn't be getting up here boasting about this; this is a very sorry stain on our...
  • Vietnam War, Cost of Living, Myanmar (2 speeches)
    I rise to acknowledge that our nation recently marked an important and sombre milestone, the 50th anniversary of Australia's withdrawal from the Vietnam War. The war and its aftermath were a...
  • Australian Constitution: Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Voice, Lawler, Mr Geoffrey Grahame, Morgan, Ms Margaret, Navarro, Mr Alfredo (1 speech)
    I have a broader contribution to make, but that contribution causes me to reflect on a few other things. There is, of course, a conservative case for yes, and it's articulated by people like the...
  • Road Infrastructure (1 speech)
    I rise to talk about something that I hear constantly in the emergency management space as I travel around the state and, indeed, the nation. I point to a joint media release from February this...
  • Mental Health (1 speech)
    I rise today to talk about a challenge in Australia that we aren't speaking about enough: the declining state of mental health among young people. If you talk to primary school teachers, you'll...
  • Financial Transactions (1 speech)
    I have some great news to share with the Australian people. Your actions are making an impact; cash is coming back. New figures from the RBA show that withdrawals from ATMs have been rising. They...
  • Workplace Relations (2 speeches)
    The Labor Party are out of touch with modern Australia. While Australians are suffering with high electricity prices thanks to 'Blackout' Bowen, higher mortgage and rental repayments, higher...
  • Myanmar (1 speech)
    OHN () (): I'm proud to share with the Senate that the Australian Greens have updated our position in response to the ongoing humanitarian and political crisis that continues to occur in Myanmar....
  • National Child Protection Week (1 speech)
    'Where we start matters.' This is an important message, and it's the theme of this year's National Child Protection Week. Not for one week or year but each and every single day we must all play a...
  • Indigenous Leaders Internet Governance and Policy Fellowship, Australian Constitution: Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Voice (1 speech)
    Last week I launched the Indigenous Leaders Internet Governance and Policy Fellowship at Australia's Internet Governance Community Forum, NetThing. The fellowship encourages First Nations...
  • Native Title (1 speech)
    I rise to speak about the inequality imposed by the Labor government on respondents to native title claims. Redland City Council in Queensland is dealing with a massive native title claim...
  • Streetwork Australia (1 speech)
    I'd like to take this time to quickly acknowledge the wonderful contributions that Streetwork Australia have made over the past two years in helping young Australians reclaim their lives from the...
  • Workplace Relations (1 speech)
    In the last parliament, the Senate Select Committee on Job Security, chaired by Senator Sheldon, heard from workers in Central Queensland about the impact of labour hire in the mining industry....
  • Climate Change (1 speech)
    Fearmongering about climate change in schools and in the media is nothing short of child abuse. A study published in the Lancet about climate anxiety in children and young people surveyed 10,000...
  • Australian Manuka Honey (1 speech)
    I rise to speak in support of one of Australia's and Tasmania's fantastic premium produce industries, the Australian manuka honey industry. Australian manuka honey is an amazing product. Not only...
  • Huon She Shed (1 speech)
    Men's sheds are important to our communities. They're a place for men to build friendships and find a shoulder to lean on. I've visited many of the ones across Tassie, and I'd like to give a...
  • Glenorchy War Memorial Pool (1 speech)
    In the late 1950s, local leaders, veterans and the community of Glenorchy in Hobart came together to fight for a local pool. The northern suburbs of Hobart were growing, filling fast with hydro...
  • Human Trafficking (1 speech)
    Last week, in London, I had the honour of speaking at the Parliamentary Intelligence-Security Forum and I participated in a panel on human trafficking. Firstly, I congratulate Congressman Robert...
  • Biosecurity (1 speech)
    A few weeks ago I had the pleasure of visiting the Centre of Excellence for Biosecurity Risk Analysis, located at the University of Melbourne. I met with CEBRA's CEO, Andrew Robinson, and his...
  • Forestry Industry (2 speeches)
    I'm speaking today, devastated by the recent news that an endangered greater glider was found dead only 70 kilometres south of parliament, in the Tallaganda State Forest in south-east New South...
• Ministry (0 speeches)
  • Temporary Arrangements (1 speech)
    I advise the Senate of changes to ministerial arrangements. Senator Wong will be absent from question time today and tomorrow on account of ministerial business overseas. In Senator Wong's...
• Questions without Notice (0 speeches)
  • Aboriginal And Torres Strait Islander Voice (23 speeches)
    My question is to the Minister representing the Minister for Indigenous Australians, Senator Gallagher. I refer article in the Australian headlined 'Warring Indigenous groups unite against...
  • Economy (15 speeches)
    My question is to the Minister for Finance, Senator Gallaher. Today, the Australia Bureau of Statistics released the national accounts for the June quarter. These accounts provide the most...
• Distinguished Visitors (0 speeches)
  • National Parliament of Papua New Guinea (1 speech)
    I draw to the attention of honourable senators the presence in the gallery of a delegation from PNG. It is the special parliamentary committee on the 2022 election led by the Hon. Allan Bird MP,...
• Questions without Notice (0 speeches)
  • Economy (43 speeches)
    My question is also to the Minister representing the Treasurer, Senator Gallagher. In how many consecutive quarters has Australia's GDP per capita declined?
  • Women's Economic Security (8 speeches)
    My question is to the Minister for Finance and Minister for Women, Senator Gallagher. Australian women are retiring with significantly less superannuation savings than men. Paying superannuation...
  • International Relations: Australia and South-East Asia (10 speeches)
    My question is to the acting leader and the Minister for Trade and Tourism, Senator Farrell. Today the Prime Minister launched Invested: Australia's Southeast Asia Economic Strategy to 2040 in...
  • Native Title (8 speeches)
    My question is to the Minister representing the Minister for Indigenous Australians, Minister Gallaher. Redland City Council, situated in the northern suburbs of Brisbane, is facing native title...
  • Sheep Meat Exports (19 speeches)
    My question is to the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry, Senator Watt. Your government has a policy position to ban the live export in sheep. In June 2022 you said: … there...
  • Murray-Darling Basin (29 speeches)
    My question is to the Minister representing the Prime Minister, Senator Farrell, a fellow South Australian. After a decade of broken promises, the Murray-Darling Basin Plan has left the river,...
  • Workplace Relations (32 speeches)
    My question is to the Minister representing the Minister for Employment and Workplace Relations, Senator Watt. There have been public reports of some employers negotiating enterprise agreements...
• Budget (0 speeches)
  • Consideration by Estimates Committees (45 speeches)
    Pursuant to standing order 74(5), I seek an explanation from the acting Leader of the Government in the Senate, Senator Farrell, as to why answers to overdue questions on notice asked by me of...
• Questions without Notice: Take Note of Answers (0 speeches)
  • Answers to Questions (8 speeches)
    I move: That the Senate take note of the answers given by ministers to questions without notice asked by opposition senators today. I will traverse a number of answers that were provided during...
  • Native Title (2 speeches)
    I move: That the Senate take note of the answer given by the Minister for Finance (Senator Gallagher) to a question without notice she asked today relating to native title. Australians be aware,...
  • Women's Economic Security (1 speech)
    I move: That the Senate take note of the answer given by the Minister for Finance (Senator Gallagher) to a question without notice I asked today regarding superannuation on paid parental leave....
• Documents (0 speeches)
  • National Disability Insurance Scheme; Order for the Production of Documents (10 speeches)
    The government rejects the assertions in the motion. The government has outlined that we've claimed public interest immunity over the document, as disclosure would prejudice relations between the...
• Business (0 speeches)
  • Leave of Absence (1 speech)
    by leave—I move: That leave of absence be granted to the following senators: (a) Senators Dodson and Bilyk from 4 to 7 September 2023, for personal reasons; and (b) Senator Dodson for 6 and...
• Notices (0 speeches)
  • Postponement (1 speech)
    I remind all senators that the question may be put on any proposal at the request of any senator.
• Documents (0 speeches)
  • Defence Export Permits; Order for the Production of Documents (2 speeches)
    I move: That there be laid on the table by the Minister representing the Minister for Defence, by no later than 4.30 pm on 7 September 2023, all documents relating to category 1 and 2 defence...
  • National Disability Insurance Scheme; Order for the Production of Documents (1 speech)
    STEELE-JOHN () (): I move: That there be laid on the table by the Minister representing the Treasurer, by no later than 4.30 pm on 7 September 2023: (a) all written correspondence between the...
  • Murray-Darling Basin Plan; Order for the Production of Documents (1 speech)
    I seek leave to amend general business notice of motion No. 318, standing in the name of Senator Davey, before asking that it be taken as a formal motion. The amendment changes the reporting date...
  • Northern Basin Aboriginal Nations Funding Agreement; Order for the Production of Documents (1 speech)
    At the request of Senator Davey, I seek leave to amend general business notice of motion No. 319, standing in the name of Senator Davey, before asking that it be taken as a formal motion. The...
• Matters of Public Importance (0 speeches)
  • Schools (8 speeches)
    A proposal has been received from Senator McKim: Pursuant to standing order 75, I propose that the following matter of public importance be submitted to the Senate for discussion: Labor must...
• Matters of Urgency (0 speeches)
  • Aviation Industry (12 speeches)
    I inform the Senate that the President has received the following letter, dated 6 September, from Senator Dean Smith: Pursuant to standing order 75, I give notice that today I propose to move...
• Committees (0 speeches)
  • Scrutiny of Bills Committee; Scrutiny Digest (1 speech)
    On behalf of Senator Dean Smith, I present Scrutiny digest No. 10 of 2023 of the Standing Committee for the Scrutiny of Bills, dated 6 September 2023, together with ministerial correspondence. I...
  • Legal and Constitutional Affairs Legislation Committee; Report (1 speech)
    On behalf of the Legal and Constitutional Affairs Legislation Committee, I present the report of the committee on the provisions of the Australian Capital Territory (Self-Government Amendment)...
  • Scrutiny of Delegated Legislation Committee; Delegated Legislation Monitor (1 speech)
    On behalf of the Chair of the Senate Standing Committee for the Scrutiny of Delegated Legislation, I present Delegated legislation monitor No. 9 of 2023.
  • Select Committee on Commonwealth Bilateral Air Service Agreements; Membership (2 speeches)
    The President has received letters from the Leader of the Government in the Senate and the Leader of the Opposition in the Senate nominating senators to be members of the Select Committee on...
• Bills (0 speeches)
  • Crimes Legislation Amendment (Combatting Foreign Bribery) Bill 2023, Social Services and Other Legislation Amendment (Australia's Engagement in the Pacific) Bill 2023, Social Security and Other Legislation Amendment (Miscellaneous Measures) 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.
  • Crimes Legislation Amendment (Combatting Foreign Bribery) Bill 2023, Social Services and Other Legislation Amendment (Australia's Engagement in the Pacific) Bill 2023, Social Security and Other Legislation Amendment (Miscellaneous Measures) 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 speech es read as follows CRIMES LEGISLATION...
  • Higher Education Support Amendment (Response to the Australian Universities Accord Interim Report) 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.
  • Higher Education Support Amendment (Response to the Australian Universities Accord Interim Report) 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— In November last year,...
• Committees (0 speeches)
  • Finance and Public Administration References Committee; Reference (32 speeches)
    HANSON (—) (): I move: That the following matter be referred to the Finance and Public Administration References Committee for inquiry and report by 3 October 2023: The activities of...
  • Rural and Regional Affairs and Transport References Committee; Reference (3 speeches)
    I rise in continuation, but, as I now have more time, I can start at the beginning of my speech instead of trying to race through the key points, as I was yesterday. I rise yet again to implore...
• Adjournment (0 speeches)
  • Albanese Government (1 speech)
    I rise to speak about the continual reform agenda of the Albanese Labor government, which is making our country fairer and stronger in the energy space and in the healthcare portfolio. Unlike the...
  • Murray-Darling Basin Plan (1 speech)
    tor GROGAN () (): I rise to speak about the Murray-Darling Basin Plan. Last month, the Albanese government announced that we would deliver the plan in full. There are many here who may remember...
  • Regional Security (1 speech)
    The Prime Minister is in Indonesia this week for the ASEAN-Indo-Pacific Forum. We are told he will be launching his South-East Asia strategy, designed to turbocharge our economic ties with...
  • Human Rights (1 speech)
    Tonight I would like to talk about the ongoing persecution of members of the Baha'i faith in Iran. I recently caught up with some members of the Baha'i faith from Rockhampton, and I want to thank...