Senate debates

Monday, 18 November 2024

• Committees (0 speeches)
  • Meeting (1 speech)
    If there are no objections, the meetings are authorised.
• Business (0 speeches)
  • Rearrangement (1 speech)
    I seek leave to move a motion to provide for the consideration of two censure motions today. Leave granted. I thank the Senate. There are two motions which the government is seeking to move this...
• Motions (0 speeches)
  • Thorpe, Senator Lidia; Censure (29 speeches)
    I move: That the Senate: (a) expresses its profound disapproval of Senator Thorpe's disrespectful and disruptive protest at the Parliamentary Reception for Their Majesties King Charles III and...
  • Babet, Senator Ralph; Censure (16 speeches)
    I now move the motion in relation to the conduct of Senator Babet, as circulated in my name: That the Senate— (a) censures Senator Babet for his inflammatory use of hate speech, designed to...
• Documents (0 speeches)
  • National Disability Insurance Scheme; Order for the Production of Documents (4 speeches)
    The government continues to reiterate its view that it cannot agree with the assertions made in this motion. We do, however, acknowledge the interest in the chamber in continuing to reform the...
• Bills (0 speeches)
  • Universities Accord (Student Support and Other Measures) 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.
  • Universities Accord (Student Support and Other Measures) Bill 2024; Second Reading (15 speeches)
    I table a revised explanatory memorandum relating to the bill and I move: That this bill be now read a second time. I seek leave to have the second reading speech incorporated in Hansard. Leave...
• Statements by Senators (0 speeches)
  • Live Animal Exports: Sheep (1 speech)
    In 1891, an event known as the great shearers' strike played a pivotal role in the formation of Australia's oldest political party. Widely regarded as one of Australia's earliest and most...
  • Mansfield Autism Statewide Services (1 speech)
    In October, with Simone Reeves, Director of Mansfield Autism Statewide Services, and the talented staff and families of children with autism, I celebrated the opening of the Mansfield Autism's...
  • Macquarie Harbour (1 speech)
    Last week, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese flew into Tasmania to launch Labor's new candidate for the seat of Braddon, Senator Urquhart. I don't have a problem with Senator Urquhart leaving the...
  • Cost of Living (2 speeches)
    Under the Labor Albanese government, I am hearing over and over and over again that our country is clearly heading in the wrong direction. Whether I'm talking to locals at the supermarket in...
  • Respiratory Syncytial Virus (1 speech)
    Any parent in Australia will know how dangerous and scary RSV can be. It's the leading cause of hospitalisation for infants in Australia. There is absolutely nothing worse than bringing your...
  • Renewable Energy (1 speech)
    The net zero transition is not driven in accordance with science and commonsense, nor is it the truth. Its ideologically driven and uses cherry-picked numbers. It cancels academics who disagree...
  • Taxation (1 speech)
    I rise today to speak about a statement put to me by the Department of Treasury in the last set of estimates. I was told that the last time there was a double taxation agreement renegotiation...
  • Albanese Government (1 speech)
    In legislative terms, the Albanese government is presiding over a car crash—not a little accident, like scratching someone's duco in the car park, but a full-blown repercussive catastrophe,...
  • Climate Change (1 speech)
    We are in a climate emergency. It threatens the safety of people, our health, our wildlife, our water, our ability to grow food and the air that we breathe. In the Pacific, girls are experiencing...
  • Youth Voice in Parliament (1 speech)
    I rise to give a speech on behalf of one of the candidates in Raise our Voice Australia's Youth Voice in Parliament campaign. It ran in this chamber from 7 to 10 of October, but Senate business...
  • Carers (1 speech)
    When parents can't care for their children, grandparents, aunts, uncles or even family members often step up to provide a safe and secure place for these children. I have met with kinship carers,...
  • Parliamentary Standards (5 speeches)
    This morning Labor and the Libs teamed up to pass a shameful censure motion against truth-telling. I tell you right now that I wear the censure motion as a badge of honour, because the protest...
  • Greater South East Irrigation Scheme (1 speech)
    Last week there was great news for farmers and producers in Tasmania's Coal River Valley, with the coalition securing the funding for the critical Greater South East Irrigation Scheme. Farmers...
  • Vocational Education and Training (1 speech)
    To concur with my colleague there, I'd just like to say how pleased we are that we've got Rebecca White as our candidate in Lyons. She will win that seat and deliver for Lyons. I want to speak...
  • Cost of Living (1 speech)
    I was told that they couldn't find a Liberal to finish the last two minutes. It's the Liberal and National parties running out of puff again. They couldn't find a speaker to fill the gap, so I'm...
• Statement by the President (0 speeches)
  • Australian Constitution: Parliamentarians' Oath or Affirmation of Allegiance (1 speech)
    I indicated this morning that I would make a statement to the chamber. I intend to do that now. I was asked by the Leader of the Opposition in the Senate, Senator Birmingham, to make a statement...
• Questions without Notice (0 speeches)
  • Cost of Living (12 speeches)
    My question is to the Minister representing the Prime Minister, Senator Wong. The cost-of-living committee held more than 20 hearings across Australia. It received more than 1,500 submissions and...
  • Economy (21 speeches)
    My question is to the Minister representing the Prime Minister, Senator Wong. How has the Albanese Labor government worked to help Australians during the worldwide inflation surge? How is the...
  • Forestry Industry (18 speeches)
    My question is to the Minister representing the Minister for the Environment and Water, Senator McAllister. One of the greatest threats to endangered Australian wildlife like the koala and the...
  • Cost of Living (8 speeches)
    My question is to the Minister representing the Treasurer, Senator Gallagher. Since we last met, the Albanese Labor government has continued to focus on cost-of-living relief for all Australians....
  • Cybersafety (8 speeches)
    My question is to the Minister representing the Minister for Communications, Senator McAllister. During Senate estimates on 5 November, the age assurance verification trial and social media age...
  • Superannuation (16 speeches)
    My question is to the Minister representing the Treasurer, Senator Gallagher. Minister, super funds like Cbus and AustralianSuper are facing significant regulatory fines. Does the Albanese...
  • Tertiary Education (11 speeches)
    My question is to the Minister representing the Minister for Education. Student debt is crushing millions of people, shackling them in a lifetime of debt, blocking people out of getting their...
  • Vocational Education and Training (16 speeches)
    My question is to the Minister representing the Minister for Skills and Training, Senator Watt. The cost of living is front of mind for all Australians, and we know that the cost of courses is...
  • Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (15 speeches)
    My question is to Minister representing the Minister for Health and Aged Care, Senator Gallagher. The Department of Health and Aged Care has revealed that your government has put a cap on the...
• 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. What is disappointing today is the realisation that this...
  • Cybersafety (1 speech)
    I move: That the Senate take note of the answer given by the Minister for Emergency Management (Senator McAllister) to a question without notice I asked today relating to age verification for...
  • Forestry Industry (1 speech)
    I move: That the Senate take note of the answer given by the Minister for Emergency Management (Senator McAllister) to a question without notice asked by Senator Hanson-Young today relating to...
• Notices (0 speeches)
  • Withdrawal (1 speech)
    Pursuant to notice on 10 October, I withdraw business of the Senate notices of motion No. 1 and No. 2, standing in my name for three sitting days after today, proposing the disallowance of the...
  • Presentation (1 speech)
    I give notice that, on the next sitting day, I shall move: That, in accordance with section 5 of the Parliament Act 1974, the Senate approves the proposal for the National Capital Authority for...
• Condolences (0 speeches)
  • Coulter, Dr John Richard (3 speeches)
    Honourable senators, it is with deep regret that I inform the Senate of the death, on 6 September 2024, of John Richard Coulter, a senator for the state of South Australia from 1987 to 1995.
  • Quick, Mr Harry Vernon (1 speech)
    It is with deep regret that I inform the Senate of the death on 19 October 2024 of Harry Vernon Quick, a former member of the House of Representatives for the division of Franklin, Tasmania, from...
• Notices (0 speeches)
  • Withdrawal (1 speech)
    At the request of Senator Dean Smith, I withdraw general business notice of motion No. 577 for 27 November 2024.
  • Postponement (1 speech)
    If there is no objection, the business is postponed.
• Business (0 speeches)
  • Leave of Absence (1 speech)
    by leave—I move: That leave of absence be granted to Senator Thorpe for the following dates, for personal reasons: (a) 4 to 14 September 2023; (b) 4 December 2023; (c) 19 March 2024; and...
• Documents (0 speeches)
  • Australian Competition and Consumer Commission; Order for the Production of Documents (1 speech)
    At the request of Senator Dean Smith, I move: That there be laid on the table by the Minister representing the Treasurer, by no later than midday on 4 December 2024, all written or digital...
  • Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development, Communications and the Arts; Order for the Production of Documents (3 speeches)
    I move: That— (a) the Senate notes that: (i) on 8 August 2024, access to documents dealing with gambling reform was sought from the Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional...
• Committees (0 speeches)
  • Intelligence and Security Joint Committee; Reference (3 speeches)
    I move: That the following matter be referred to the Parliamentary Joint Committee on Intelligence and Security for inquiry and report by 10 February 2025: The possible listing of Hizb ut-Tahrir...
• Documents (0 speeches)
  • Department of Social Services; Order for the Production of Documents (1 speech)
    I seek leave to amend general business notice of motion No. 659 relating to an order for the production of documents. Leave granted. I move the motion as amended: That there be laid on the table...
  • Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water; Order for the Production of Documents (1 speech)
    I move: (1) That there be laid on the table by the Minister representing the Minister for the Environment and Water, by no later than 5 pm on Wednesday, 27 November 2024: (a) all documents relied...
• Matters of Urgency (0 speeches)
  • Cybersafety (10 speeches)
    I inform the Senate that the President has received the following letter, dated 18 November, from Senator Roberts: Pursuant to standing order 75, I give notice that today I propose to move "That,...
• Matters of Public Importance (0 speeches)
  • Cost of Living (15 speeches)
    A letter has been received from Senator Dean Smith: Pursuant to standing order 75, I propose that the following matter of public importance be submitted to the Senate for discussion: "Labor's...
• Motions (0 speeches)
  • Thorpe, Senator Lidia (3 speeches)
    I seek leave to move a motion relating to the censure motion agreed to earlier today, as circulated. Leave not granted. Pursuant to contingent notice of motion standing in my name, I move: That...
• Documents (0 speeches)
  • Treasury; Order for the Production of Documents (1 speech)
    I move: That the Senate take note of document 28 listed on today's Order of Business. I take this opportunity to bring to the attention of the Senate the tardiness of the Albanese government in...
  • Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water; Order for the Production of Documents (1 speech)
    I move: That the Senate take note of document 32 listed on today's Order of Business. This document is in relation to an order that I put forward in this place some time ago. Sadly, while we've...
  • National Anti-Corruption Commission (2 speeches)
    In respect of the report on the National Anti-Corruption Commission for 2023-24, I move: That the Senate take note of the document. This morning the first report from Gail Furness SC, Inspector...
• Committees (0 speeches)
  • Intelligence and Security Joint Committee; Report (1 speech)
    I present the advisory report of the Parliamentary Joint Committee on Intelligence and Security—yes, the spooky committee!—on Cyber Security Legislative Package 2024. I seek leave to...
• Documents (0 speeches)
  • Department of Health and Aged Care; Order for the Production of Documents (2 speeches)
    I table documents relating to the order for the production of documents concerning the Aged Care Taskforce.
  • Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government; Order for the Production of Documents (2 speeches)
    I table documents relating to the order for the production of documents concerning Melbourne Airport's third runway.
  • Department of Social Services; Order for the Production of Documents (2 speeches)
    I table documents relating to the order for the production of documents concerning non-disclosure agreements.
• Committees (0 speeches)
  • Parliamentary Standards Joint Committee; Membership (2 speeches)
    The President has received a letter nominating a senator to be a member of a committee.
• Bills (0 speeches)
  • Migration Amendment (Strengthening Sponsorship and Nomination Processes) Bill 2024, Privacy and Other Legislation Amendment Bill 2024, Treasury Laws Amendment (2024 Tax and Other Measures No. 1) Bill 2024, Veterans' Entitlements, Treatment and Support (Simplification and Harmonisation) 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.
  • Migration Amendment (Strengthening Sponsorship and Nomination Processes) Bill 2024, Privacy and Other Legislation Amendment Bill 2024, Treasury Laws Amendment (2024 Tax and Other Measures No. 1) Bill 2024, Veterans' Entitlements, Treatment and Support (Simplification and Harmonisation) 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— MIGRATION...
  • Better and Fairer Schools (Funding and Reform) Bill 2024, Wage Justice for Early Childhood Education and Care Workers (Special Account) 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.
  • Better and Fairer Schools (Funding and Reform) Bill 2024, Wage Justice for Early Childhood Education and Care Workers (Special Account) 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— BETTER AND FAIRER...
  • Aged Care Bill 2024, Aged Care Legislation 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.
  • Aged Care Bill 2024, Aged Care Legislation Amendment Bill 2024; Second Reading (1 speech)
    I table a revised explanatory memorandum relating to the Aged Care Bill 2024 and I move: That these bills be now read a second time. I seek leave to have the second reading speeches incorporated...
  • Communications Legislation Amendment (Combatting Misinformation and Disinformation) 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.
  • Communications Legislation Amendment (Combatting Misinformation and Disinformation) Bill 2024; Second Reading (2 speeches)
    I table a revised explanatory memorandum and 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...
• Committees (0 speeches)
  • Social Media and Australian Society Joint Select Committee; Report (2 speeches)
    On behalf of the Social Media and Australian Society Joint Select Committee, I present the committee's second interim and final reports, together with accompanying documents. I seek leave to move...
• Bills (0 speeches)
  • Better and Fairer Schools (Funding and Reform) Bill 2024; Report from Committee (1 speech)
    Pursuant to order and on behalf of the chair of the Education and Employment Legislation Committee, I present the committee's report on the provisions of the Better and Fairer Schools (Funding...
• Committees (0 speeches)
  • Environment and Communications References Committee; Reference (5 speeches)
    This reference is an important one. Last year, the parliament handed down a report by the late Peta Murphy. It was an important report, a unanimous report, that recommended a number of things to...
  • Legal and Constitutional Affairs References Committee; Reference (3 speeches)
    Senator Rennick, you can have a right of reply, if you'd like one, otherwise we will put the question on the motion.
• Bills (0 speeches)
  • Universities Accord (Student Support and Other Measures) Bill 2024; Second Reading (12 speeches)
    You are too efficient, Acting Deputy President Bragg. Unfortunately, I have to draw your attention to the state of the chamber. (Quorum formed)
  • Education Services for Overseas Students Amendment (Quality and Integrity) Bill 2024; Second Reading (11 speeches)
    I rise today to speak on the Education Services for Overseas Students Amendment (Quality and Integrity) Bill 2024. This bill is yet another example of the Albanese Labor government's piecemeal...
• Adjournment (0 speeches)
  • Forestry Industry (1 speech)
    I rise to speak about the important role Australia's sustainable forest products play in our recycling ecosystem. This is particularly timely because last week marked National Recycling Week. In...
  • Shacklock, Mr Christopher Thomas (Tom) (1 speech)
    I rise tonight to pay tribute to a very longstanding friend of the Liberal Party in Tasmania who, unfortunately, left us over the weekend. Christopher Thomas Shacklock, known to us in the Liberal...
  • Cowra Public School (1 speech)
    I want to associate myself with the comments acknowledging the fine contribution of an Australian citizen to the democratic process of this nation, albeit with a very different viewpoint to the...