Senate debates

Wednesday, 3 July 2024

• Committees (0 speeches)
  • Meeting (1 speech)
    If there is no objection, the meeting is authorised.
• Bills (0 speeches)
  • Commission of Inquiry into Antisemitism at Australian Universities Bill 2024; Second Reading (10 speeches)
    I want to begin by stating what I've already stated in the past: we have a problem with our Australian universities. It seems to me they're finding their own ideology these days. That's a matter...
  • Payment Times Reporting Amendment Bill 2024; Second Reading (2 speeches)
    I'm very pleased to rise in relation to this piece of legislation. For those in the gallery and those who are listening to this debate, what we're talking about here is the legislation Australia...
  • Payment Times Reporting Amendment Bill 2024; In Committee (2 speeches)
    by leave—I move opposition amendments (1) to (5) on sheet 2639 together: (1) Schedule 1, item 12, page 5 (after line 25), after the definition of exempt entity in section 5, insert: fast...
  • Payment Times Reporting Amendment Bill 2024; Third Reading (1 speech)
    I move: That this bill be now read a third time. Question agreed to. Bill read a third time.
  • Social Services and Other Legislation Amendment (More Support in the Safety Net) Bill 2024; Second Reading (9 speeches)
    The opposition will be supporting the Social Services and Other Legislation Amendment (More Support in the Safety Net) Bill 2024. But, sadly, two years in, Australians are paying the price for a...
• Statements by Senators (0 speeches)
  • James Boag Brewery, Future Made in Australia (1 speech)
    I rise this afternoon to speak about an iconic part of my duty constituency of Bass and an iconic part of my life in northern Tasmania, and that is Boag's brewery. It's the best one in...
  • Australian Society (2 speeches)
    Today I rise to pay tribute to the authors of the Declaration of Independence. Tomorrow it will be 248 years since that magnificent document was signed. I think it is something that all people of...
  • Northern Territory: Health and Housing (1 speech)
    Recently I spoke about my visit to Galiwin'ku in north-east Arnhem Land in the Northern Territory. I was in Galiwin'ku to attend the Yota Dokitji event to learn more about the Djakamirr project....
  • Live Animal Exports (1 speech)
    I thought we'd hit peak smugness and peak contempt for the agriculture industry from the Minister for Agriculture at 10 pm on Monday night. I thought we saw the peak level of contempt for the...
  • Australian Defence Force (1 speech)
    Defence is rotten the at its core, and the Inspector-General of the Australian Defence Force is part of that; it is defence's legal system. I know it, veterans know it and the Australian people...
  • Wages (1 speech)
    Well, I have great news: workers and unions around Australia are winning pay rises thanks to the same job, same pay laws that the Albanese government passed at the end of last year. Labor and...
  • Electric Vehicles (1 speech)
    Electric vehicles are well known and are lauded for environmental benefits, helping to reduce emissions and reliance on fossil fuels. Yet the true value of electric vehicles extends far beyond...
  • Aukus (1 speech)
    I rise to give a statement about the AUKUS partnership and its effects on my people's land, culture and songlines. AUKUS is bringing destructive change to Meandup, which some of you may know as...
  • Juvenile Detention (1 speech)
    Today I want to talk about what are you all obsessed with at the moment: youth crime. But youth crime is not what you make it out to be. It is a symptom of current systems not working. Trying to...
  • Wages (2 speeches)
    For over 10 years, as you well know, Acting Deputy President Sterle, workers in regional Queensland asked the Liberal-National government for one simple thing. If they worked the same job, they...
  • China: Human Rights (1 speech)
    This week, I met with Sebastien Lai, the son of jailed media owner Jimmy Lai. At 76, Jimmy faces life in prison in Hong Kong for speaking truth to power and campaigning for democracy in Hong...
  • Swan, Mr Dane (Swanny) (2 speeches)
    I want to park politics and talk about another topic that's very close to my heart—the mighty Collingwood Football Club. And it's so good to do it in front of a couple of Carlton supporters...
  • NAIDOC Week (1 speech)
    Next week, from 7 July to 14 July, is NAIDOC Week. NAIDOC Week this year has a sensational theme: Keep the fire burning! Blak, Loud and Proud. NAIDOC celebrates the spirit of our communities and...
  • Western Australia: Defence Industry (1 speech)
    In 2021 Australia announced the AUKUS agreement with the US and the UK. Many in my state saw this as a great opportunity for Western Australia, anticipating submarine rotations at HMAS Stirling...
  • Cost of Living (1 speech)
    This week more cost-of-living relief is being delivered for Australians. This week tax cuts for 13.6 million workers have been delivered, with an average of $1,800 going a year back into...
  • Racism (1 speech)
    I am absolutely disgusted, as an Australian citizen born here, to see the desecration of our national anthem, young kids being forced to touch the ground while reciting racist slogans like...
  • Treasury Laws Amendment (Consumer Data Right) Bill 2022 (1 speech)
    Today in Sydney Australia's fintech community is meeting at the CDR summit, but there's only one question on their mind: why is the government continuing to deny Australians the opportunity to...
  • Australian Capital Territory: Road Safety (1 speech)
    Yesterday with the ACT Minister for City Services, Tara Cheyne, and federal member for Canberra, Alicia Payne, I announced $10 million of joint funding, with each government committing $5 million...
  • Queensland: Youth Justice (1 speech)
    As a teacher for 30 years, I taught hundreds of kids who, through no fault of their own, found themselves on the wrong side of the law. Students experiencing prolonged housing insecurity, hunger...
  • Public Sector Governance (1 speech)
    Many Australians are quickly realising that, as bad as this Labor government has been, it may not be the biggest problem that we have. You see, if you sack the government, you can vote out your...
  • Economy (1 speech)
    Home ownership has long sat at the heart of the Australian economy and is the national dream. It's something that I've spoken about many times. The economic mismanagement of this government has...
  • Supermarkets (3 speeches)
    Choice has confirmed what Tasmanians already knew: we're getting ripped off at the checkout. Choice compared the price of a basket of essential groceries from Woolies, Coles and Aldi across the...
  • Right to Protest (1 speech)
    Today is the national day of protest rights. I want to give a shout-out to the staunch protesters on the front lines fighting to protect us from the abuse of the state. Protest is a fundamental...
  • Albanese Government: Primary Industries (3 speeches)
    There's a scary pattern of behaviour starting to emerge from this government. Every day, we see more and more examples of our primary industries being slowly and systematically but nonetheless...
  • Right to Protest (1 speech)
    This week is the 41st anniversary of the historic Franklin Dam decision, a High Court decision to protect the Franklin River for future generations forever. This is one of the world's great wild...
  • Wages (2 speeches)
    The Albanese Labor government was elected on a mandate to lift wages, and that's exactly what we're doing. I'm particularly pleased to see the labour hire workers at Batchfire's Callide Mine in...
• Distinguished Visitors (0 speeches)
  • Republic of Vanuatu: Parliamentary Delegation (1 speech)
    I draw the attention of honourable senators to the presence of a parliamentary delegation from the Republic of Vanuatu led by the Speaker, the Hon. Seoule Simeon. On behalf of all senators, I...
• Questions without Notice (0 speeches)
  • Budget (8 speeches)
    My question is to the Minister representing the Treasurer, Senator Gallagher. Minister, following the budget you claimed: The targeted cost-of-living measures announced in the budget are expected...
  • Taxation (16 speeches)
    My question is to the Minister representing the Prime Minister, Senator Wong. The cost of living is the No. 1 issue that I hear about from constituents, and I know that it's the No. 1 priority...
  • Neuroblastoma (8 speeches)
    My question is to the Minister representing the Minister for Health, Senator Gallagher. Seven-year-old Holly Zerk is bravely battling neuroblastoma. With the support of her mum, Leanne, and her...
  • Australian Naval Nuclear Power Safety Bill 2023 (16 speeches)
    My question is to the Minister representing the Minister for Defence, Minister Wong. The Australian Naval Nuclear Power Safety Bill being pushed by your government will make areas next to Perth...
  • Medicare (11 speeches)
    My question is to the Minister representing the Minister for Health and Aged Care, Senator Gallagher. Medicare was established 40 years ago by the Hawke Labor government. Since 1984, bulk-billing...
  • Energy (9 speeches)
    My question is to the Minister representing the Minister for Climate Change and Energy, Senator Wong. The Australian Energy Market Operator's 2023 Inputs, assumptions and scenarios report shows...
  • Construction, Forestry and Maritime Employees Union (28 speeches)
    My question is to the Minister representing the Prime Minister, Senator Wong. Yesterday the Senate passed legislation, which the opposition voted for and fully supports, that will enable the most...
  • Human Rights (40 speeches)
    My question is to the leader of the Labor Party in the Senate, Minister Wong. This year we have heard the government say that they can't move forward on key issues, including human rights and...
  • Cost of Living (26 speeches)
    My question is to Minister Watt, the Minister representing the Minister for Finance, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government. Australians have been feeling the impact of...
• Questions without Notice: Take Note of Answers (0 speeches)
  • Answers to Questions (5 speeches)
    I move: That the Senate take note of the answers given by ministers to questions without notice asked by Opposition senators today. Most particularly, I want to take note of the answer given by...
  • Australian Naval Nuclear Power Safety Bill 2023 (1 speech)
    I move: That the Senate take note of the answers given by the Minister representing the Minister for Defence (Senator Wong) to questions without notice I asked today on the Australian Naval...
• Committees (0 speeches)
  • Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade References Committee; Reference (4 speeches)
    At the request of Senator Birmingham, I move: That the following matters be referred to the Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade References Committee for inquiry and report by 11 February 2025: (a)...
• Business (0 speeches)
  • Consideration of Legislation (4 speeches)
    I move: That— (a) the Senate notes that the Treasury Laws Amendment (Consumer Data Right) Bill 2022 has sat before the Senate without debate for 84 sitting days; and (b) if the Treasury...
• Documents (0 speeches)
  • Inspector-General of The Australian Defence Force; Order for the Production of Documents (4 speeches)
    I move: That the Senate— (a) notes that order for the production of documents no. 541 relating to the final report of the Inspector-General of the Australian Defence Force twenty-year...
  • Cashless Debit Card; Order for the Production of Documents (1 speech)
    I move: That the Senate— (a) notes that order for the production of documents no. 542 relating to the latest evaluation report from the University of Adelaide in relation to the Cashless...
  • Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development, Communications and the Arts; Order for the Production of Documents (1 speech)
    At the request of Senator McKenzie, 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...
  • Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade; Order for the Production of Documents (4 speeches)
    I move: That there be laid on the table by the Minister for Foreign Affairs, by no later than 5 pm on 15 July 2024, a document showing the full cost of the charter flight that conveyed Ambassador...
• Committees (0 speeches)
  • Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade References Committee; Reference (2 speeches)
    I move: That the following matter be referred to the Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade References Committee for inquiry and report by 28 November 2024: The integrity and efficacy of the Defence...
  • Education and Employment References Committee; Reference (8 speeches)
    I move: That the following matter be referred to the Education and Employment References Committee for inquiry and report by 16 August 2024: The challenges being faced by Australia's charity and...
  • Environment and Communications References Committee; Reference (7 speeches)
    I move: That the following matter be referred to the Environment and Communications References Committee for inquiry and report by the last sitting day in February 2025: The consultation process...
• Documents (0 speeches)
  • Department of Finance; Order for the Production of Documents (4 speeches)
    I move: That, with reference to recommendation 12 of the Finance and Public Administration References Committee's final report on its inquiry into management and assurance of integrity by...
• Committees (0 speeches)
  • Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade References Committee; Reference (4 speeches)
    Due to my inability to be here for the vote on business of the Senate No. 5 in the name of Senator Roberts, I seek leave to ask that that motion be put again, please.
• Matters of Urgency (0 speeches)
  • National Security (2 speeches)
    I inform the Senate that the President has received the following letter, dated 3 July 2024, from Senator Scarr: Pursuant to standing order 75, I give notice that today I propose to move "That,...
• Distinguished Visitors (0 speeches)
  • Launceston City Council (1 speech)
    I'd like to acknowledge in the gallery the mayor and two councillors from the great city of Launceston. Welcome. Honourable senators: Hear, hear!
• Matters of Urgency (0 speeches)
  • National Security (8 speeches)
    This is a really disappointing motion from those opposite. I have to say that I'm pretty disappointed with Senator Scarr for engaging in this politicisation of security issues.
  • Legal Aid (15 speeches)
    The Senate will now consider the proposal from Senator Thorpe: Pursuant to standing order 75, I give notice that today I propose to move "That, in the opinion of the Senate, the following is a...
• Petitions (0 speeches)
  • Live Animal Exports: Sheep (1 speech)
    by leave—I table a non-conforming petition signed by 64,385 Australian citizens fighting to keep the sheep and overturn Labor's live sheep export ban.
  • Refugee and Humanitarian Visas (1 speech)
    by leave—I table a non-conforming petition calling on the government to grant humanitarian visas to people fleeing Gaza.
  • Migration Amendment (Removal and Other Measures) Bill 2024 (1 speech)
    by leave—I table a non-conforming petition which opposes the government's migration removals and travel ban bill.
• Committees (0 speeches)
  • Legal and Constitutional Affairs Legislation Committee; Additional Information (1 speech)
    On behalf of the chair of the Legal and Constitutional Affairs Legislation Committee, Senator Green, I present additional information received by the committee on its inquiry into the Migration...
  • Scrutiny of Bills Committee; Scrutiny Digest (1 speech)
    On behalf of Senator Dean Smith, I present Scrutiny digest 8 of 2024 of the Standing Committee for the Scrutiny of Bills, together with ministerial correspondence received by the committee. I...
  • 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 the Delegated legislation monitormonitor7 of 2024together with ministerial...
  • Economics References Committee; Report (1 speech)
    On behalf of Senator Bragg, I present the report of the Economics References Committee on the Australian Securities and Investments Commission together with the accompanying documents. I move:...
  • Legal and Constitutional Affairs Legislation Committee; Additional Information (1 speech)
    I rise to speak to the additional documents tabled by the minister regarding the Senate Legal and Constitutional Affairs Legislation Committee's inquiry into the Migration Amendment (Removal and...
  • Scrutiny of Delegated Legislation Committee; Delegated Legislation Monitor (1 speech)
    I present Delegated legislation monitor No. 7 of 2024and move: That the Senate take note of the report. Monitor 7 reports on the Scrutiny of Delegated Legislation Committee's consideration of 42...
  • Economics References Committee; Report (1 speech)
    I rise to present the report of the Senate Economics References Committee inquiry into the Australian Securities and Investments Commission investigation and enforcement and to make some remarks...
• Parliamentary Representation (0 speeches)
  • Tyrrell, Senator Tammy (1 speech)
    I seek leave to make a short statement about my new status as an Independent senator. Leave granted. I inform the Senate that I have resigned from the Jacqui Lambie Network and now sit as an...
• Documents (0 speeches)
  • Inspector-General of the Australian Defence Force; Order for the Production of Documents (2 speeches)
    I table documents relating to the order for the production of documents concerning the Inspector-General of the Australian Defence Force 20-year review.
• Bills (0 speeches)
  • Criminal Code Amendment (Deepfake Sexual Material) Bill 2024; 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.
  • Criminal Code Amendment (Deepfake Sexual Material) Bill 2024; 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— The Criminal Code...
• Regulations and Determinations (0 speeches)
  • Migration Amendment (Graduate Visas) Regulations 2024; Disallowance (8 speeches)
    I, and also on behalf of Senator Shoebridge, move: That the Migration Amendment (Graduate Visas) Regulations 2024, made under the Migration Act 1958, be disallowed [F2024L00748]. These...
• Committees (0 speeches)
  • Economics References Committee; Reference (1 speech)
    The question is that the motion as moved by Senator Colbeck be agreed to.
• Bills (0 speeches)
  • Social Services and Other Legislation Amendment (More Support in the Safety Net) Bill 2024; Second Reading (8 speeches)
    The Social Services and Other Legislation Amendment (More Support in the Safety Net) Bill 2024 obviously seeks to increase the maximum rate of Commonwealth rent assistance by 10 per cent, or some...
  • Social Services and Other Legislation Amendment (More Support in the Safety Net) Bill 2024; In Committee (20 speeches)
    At the beginning of the committee stage, it's important that we engage with the substance of the bill before us, the Social Services and Other Legislation Amendment (More Support in the Safety...
• Adjournment (0 speeches)
  • Cost of Living (1 speech)
    I want to rise today and wish everybody a very happy 1 July, for Monday. We are at the beginning of the financial year. As much as we didn't see a countdown on the television on Sunday night to...
  • North Australian Aboriginal Justice Agency (1 speech)
    Where there are vulnerable people, there are those seeking to exploit. We must leave them nowhere to hide and nowhere to thrive. Failures in governance are foreseeable, preventable and...
  • Neuroblastoma (1 speech)
    'The lengths you have to go to in order to save the life of a kid. The desperation, the hopelessness, and a health minister telling you on the phone that, unfortunately, we just have to wait....
  • Manufacturing Industry, Warrington, Mr Michael (Wally), Tasmanian JackJumpers (1 speech)
    Well, this is another historic day in this building, with the Albanese Labor government proudly introducing its Future Made in Australia legislation into the parliament. I'm very proud as an...