Senate debates

Monday, 26 February 2024

• Committees (0 speeches)
  • Meeting (1 speech)
    I remind senators that the question may be put on any proposal at the request of any senator.
• Documents (0 speeches)
  • National Disability Insurance Scheme; Order for the Production of Documents (7 speeches)
    The government continues to reiterate our view that we cannot agree with the assertions that are made in this motion. We do, however, acknowledge the interest in the chamber in reforming the NDIS...
• Business (0 speeches)
  • Rearrangement (8 speeches)
    I seek leave to move a motion to give precedence to general business notice of motion No. 451 relating to Gaza. The motion has been circulated. Leave not granted. At the request of Senator...
• Bills (0 speeches)
  • Treasury Laws Amendment (Cost of Living Tax Cuts) Bill 2024, Treasury Laws Amendment (Cost of Living — Medicare Levy) Bill 2024; 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. by leave—I move: That the...
  • Treasury Laws Amendment (Cost of Living Tax Cuts) Bill 2024, Treasury Laws Amendment (Cost of Living — Medicare Levy) Bill 2024; Second Reading (29 speeches)
    I move: That these bills be now read a second time. I seek leave to have the second reading speeches incorporated into Hansard. Leave granted. The speeches read as follows— TREASURY LAWS...
• Statements by Senators (0 speeches)
  • Albanese Government (1 speech)
    Before Prime Minister Anthony Albanese joined thousands of his New South Wales electors at the Taylor Swift concert, he had a moment to drop in on Western Australia. In the 48 hours that he spent...
  • Public Sector Governance (1 speech)
    On Thursday of last week, I had the privilege of speaking at theMandarin conference on rebuilding trust in the Public Service. The Public Service is important to me and to the Australian people...
  • Pensions and Benefits (1 speech)
    At the recent estimates hearings, Services Australia had to—shockingly—admit that there are more than 1.1 million outstanding income support payment claims. They also admitted that it...
  • Medicare (1 speech)
    Very disturbing research was released over the course of the weekend with respect to the falling number of GP medical clinics offering bulk-billing to everyday Australians. Over the past 12...
  • Community Television (1 speech)
    Community television in South Australia and Victoria plays a fundamental role in our media landscape. During the pandemic it was there for South Australians, providing content, particularly...
  • Prime Minister, Taxation (10 speeches)
    In a speech earlier this year, I made the point that one can judge a man by the company he keeps. I observed that one of Prime Minister Anthony Albanese's first orders of business was a private...
  • Bureau of Meteorology (1 speech)
    It wasn't that long ago I woke up on a Friday morning after a late night of estimates, only to have my wife text me to say that there would be some heavy weather coming into Brisbane because...
  • Taxation (1 speech)
    The Australian Labor Party, through the Albanese Labor government, is delivering tax cuts for hardworking Tasmanians. From Swansea to Smithton, Tasmanians will get to keep more of what they earn...
  • Tasmania State Election (3 speeches)
    The Tasmanian people are about to go back to the polls on 23 March after three years of unstable majority Liberal government. I want to address the elephant in the room here today. He's back!...
  • Melbourne City Council (1 speech)
    One of my councils in Melbourne—the Melbourne City Council—took time away from their usual responsibilities last week to debate a ceasefire in Gaza. I recognise that peace in the...
  • Northern Territory Government (1 speech)
    More than a year ago, alcohol bans in the Northern Territory lapsed and brought crime and terror to the streets of towns like my hometown of Alice Springs. The footage has been seen far and wide...
  • Tasmania: Launceston City Deal (1 speech)
    Launceston might be about to lose a $20 million cadet facility project, a project that has been in the pipeline for the past seven years. We will lose it because of bureaucracy and red tape. The...
  • Uluru Statement from the Heart: Treaty (1 speech)
    Treaty is off the table yet again and very few people have realised it, as this government is doing its best to cover up what is quickly becoming one of the biggest broken promises to First...
  • Ukraine (1 speech)
    Over the last couple of days, we've marked the second anniversary of the Ukraine war. Two years ago, war returned to Europe—a brutal, bloody type of war, the likes of which we had thought...
  • National Road Freighters Association (1 speech)
    On a brighter note, I want to share with the chamber a magnificent weekend I had two weekends ago. I was invited to the National Road Freighters Association annual conference down in Shepparton....
• Ministry (0 speeches)
  • Temporary Arrangements (1 speech)
    by leave—I inform the Senate that Senator Wong, the Minister for Foreign Affairs, will be absent from question time this week for personal reasons, and Senator Farrell, the Minister for...
• Questions without Notice (0 speeches)
  • Asylum Seekers (16 speeches)
    My question is to the minister representing the Prime Minister, Senator Gallagher. On 16 February, the Australian Border Force issued a media release entitled 'ABF operation in Western Australia'...
  • Wages (2 speeches)
    My question is to the Minister representing the Treasurer, Senator Gallagher. A key platform of the Albanese Labor government was to get wages moving again. Minister, could you outline how the...
• Distinguished Visitors (0 speeches)
  • Williams, Mr John Reginald, AM (1 speech)
    Before I call Senator Sheldon, I acknowledge in the gallery former Senator Williams. Welcome! Honourable senators: Hear, hear!
• Questions without Notice (0 speeches)
  • Wages (6 speeches)
    Senator Sheldon, a first supplementary?
  • Immigration Detention (23 speeches)
    My question is to Minister representing the Prime Minister, Senator Gallagher. At Senate estimates earlier this month, the Department of Home Affairs gave evidence that at least 18 individuals...
  • Gas Exploration (14 speeches)
    My question is to the Minister representing the Minister for Resources, Minister Watt. Two weeks ago the Minister for Resources introduced a bill that would give the minister the power to bypass...
  • Wages (9 speeches)
    My question is to the Minister representing the Minister for Employment and Workplace Relations, Minister Watt. Strong and sustainable wages growth will deliver an economy that is more...
  • Waste Management and Recycling (12 speeches)
    My question is to the minister representing the Minister for the Environment and Water, Senator Gallagher. Last week the Minister for the Environment and Water, Tania Plibersek MP, stated that...
  • Infrastructure: Marinus Link (29 speeches)
    My question is to the Minister representing the Minister for Climate Change and Energy, Senator Gallagher, and I ask: does the Commonwealth remain committed to the Marinus project, in partnership...
  • Oil and Gas Exploration (12 speeches)
    My question is to the Minister representing the Minister for Resources, Minister Watt. In the lead-up to the last election, the Prime Minister, Anthony Albanese, made the strongest possible...
  • Workplace Gender Equality (8 speeches)
    My question is to the Minister for Women, Senator Gallagher. Last week the Australian Bureau of Statistics reported a further reduction in the gender pay gap, to 12 per cent, delivering the...
  • Department of Finance (12 speeches)
    My question is to the Minister for Finance, Senator Gallagher. I refer to a media report and a statement issued by the Department of Finance on 21 February 2024 regarding the department's...
• Questions without Notice: Take Note of Answers (0 speeches)
  • Answers to Questions (10 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 Opposition senators today. It would be a bad day to be...
  • Recycling (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 relating to the recycling of clothing. We are told...
  • Oil and Gas Exploration (2 speeches)
    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 asked by Senator Whish-Wilson today...
• Notices (0 speeches)
  • Presentation (1 speech)
    I give notice that, on the next sitting day, I shall move: That the provisions of paragraphs (5) to (8) of standing order 111 not apply to the following bills, allowing them to be considered...
• Business (0 speeches)
  • Consideration of Legislation (1 speech)
    I move: That general business order of the day no. 20, Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Amendment (Climate Trigger) Bill 2022 [No. 2], be considered on Wednesday, 28 February...
  • Leave of Absence (3 speeches)
    by leave—I move: That leave of absence be granted to the following senators from 26 to 29 February 2024: (a) Senators Wong and White, for personal reasons; and (b) Senators Farrell and...
• 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.
• Condolences (0 speeches)
  • Cross, Mr Manfred Douglas, AM, Wakelin, Mr Barry Hugh, OAM (1 speech)
    It is with deep regret that I inform the Senate of the death of two former members of the House of Representatives: on 19 December 2023, of Barry Hugh Wakelin OAM, a member for the Division of...
• Committees (0 speeches)
  • Commonwealth Bilateral Air Service Agreements Select Committee; Appointment (2 speeches)
    At the request of Senator McKenzie, I move: That— (a) the Select Committee on Commonwealth Bilateral Air Service Agreements, appointed by resolution of the Senate on 5 September 2023, as...
• Motions (0 speeches)
  • COVID-19: Mortality (1 speech)
    I remind senators that on Thursday 8 February 2024 a division was called on the closure motion moved by Senator Roberts relating to Senator Babet's general business notice of motion No. 462,...
• Matters of Urgency (0 speeches)
  • First Nations Australians (9 speeches)
    I inform the Senate that the President has received the following letter, dated 26 February, from Senator Thorpe: Pursuant to standing order 75, I give notice that today I propose to move "That,...
  • National Security (14 speeches)
    I inform the Senate that the President has received the following letter, dated 26 February 2024, from Senator Scarr: Pursuant to standing order 75, I give notice that today I propose to move...
• Petitions (0 speeches)
  • Arulruban, Mr Dixtan (1 speech)
    by leave—I table a petition which is not in conformity with the standing orders as it is not in the correct form, signed by 24,174 people, calling on the Minister for Immigration,...
• Documents (0 speeches)
  • Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development, Communications and the Arts, Department of the Treasury, Department of Industry, Science and Resources, Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water; Order for the Production of Documents (3 speeches)
    I move: That the Senate take note of the document. I rise to take note of the response tabled earlier today on the new fuel or vehicle emissions standards. While the government has a lot to hide...
• Ministerial Statements (0 speeches)
  • Closing the Gap (1 speech)
    On behalf of the Prime Minister and the Minister for Indigenous Australians, I table the annual report on Closing the Gap together with accompanying ministerial statements and documents. For the...
• Documents (0 speeches)
  • Basin Officials Committee, Murray-Darling Basin Plan, Northern Basin Aboriginal Nations Funding Agreements, Department of Education, Schools; Order for the Production of Documents (2 speeches)
    I table documents relating to orders for the production of documents concerning the Murray-Darling Basin, students with disability loadings settings and school funding.
• Committees (0 speeches)
  • Australia's Disaster Resilience Select Committee, Economics Legislation Committee, Supermarket Prices Select Committee; Membership (2 speeches)
    The President has received letters requesting changes in the membership of committees.
• Bills (0 speeches)
  • Appropriation Bill (No. 3) 2023-2024, Appropriation Bill (No. 4) 2023-2024, Appropriation (Parliamentary Departments) Bill (No. 2) 2023-2024; 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.
  • Appropriation Bill (No. 3) 2023-2024, Appropriation Bill (No. 4) 2023-2024, Appropriation (Parliamentary Departments) Bill (No. 2) 2023-2024; 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— APPROPRIATION...
  • Foreign Acquisitions and Takeovers Fees Imposition Amendment Bill 2024, Treasury Laws Amendment (Foreign Investment) Bill 2024; 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.
  • Foreign Acquisitions and Takeovers Fees Imposition Amendment Bill 2024, Treasury Laws Amendment (Foreign Investment) Bill 2024; 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— FOREIGN...
  • Crimes Amendment (Strengthening the Criminal Justice Response to Sexual Violence) Bill 2024, National Vocational Education and Training Regulator Amendment (Strengthening Quality and Integrity in Vocational Education and Training No. 1) Bill 2024, Passenger Movement Charge Amendment Bill 2024; 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 Amendment (Strengthening the Criminal Justice Response to Sexual Violence) Bill 2024, National Vocational Education and Training Regulator Amendment (Strengthening Quality and Integrity in Vocational Education and Training No. 1) Bill 2024, Passenger Movement Charge Amendment Bill 2024; 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— CRIMES AMENDMENT...
  • Telecommunications Legislation Amendment (Enhancing Consumer Safeguards and Other Measures) 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.
  • Telecommunications Legislation Amendment (Enhancing Consumer Safeguards and Other Measures) 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— Access to...
• Committees (0 speeches)
  • Rural and Regional Affairs and Transport References Committee; Reference (12 speeches)
    I, and also on behalf of Senator Cadell, move: That the following matters be referred to the Rural and Regional Affairs and Transport References Committee for inquiry and report by 15 August...
• Bills (0 speeches)
  • Treasury Laws Amendment (Cost of Living Tax Cuts) Bill 2024, Treasury Laws Amendment (Cost of Living — Medicare Levy) Bill 2024; Second Reading (15 speeches)
    I like cutting taxes. I think cutting taxes should be the national pastime of Australia. I think cutting taxes should be in the Constitution. I welcome the Labor Party to that moral obligation...
• Adjournment (0 speeches)
  • Taxation (1 speech)
    I rise tonight to highlight an issue that affects many Australians directly or indirectly—that is, the burden of taxation on many Australian individuals. I'm not going to talk about income...
  • Climate Change (1 speech)
    Scientists have been sounding the alarm about the climate crisis for decades. Despite the evidence and the real-world experience of climate disaster after climate disaster, making the reality of...
  • Ukraine (1 speech)
    I rise to communicate to the people of Ukraine from the Parliament of Australia that we see you, we hear you and we are with you, our brothers and sisters, in the democratic struggle. And we...
  • Domestic And Family Violence (1 speech)
    Action and urgency, not announcements—that's what this Albanese government should have done in response to Australia's family violence epidemic. Instead, they spent 2023 distracted by their...