Senate debates
Tuesday, 24 June 2014
- Wanachote, Mr Khun Kanit, OAM (1 speech)
I rise to speak about a good friend who passed away recently. His name is Khun Kanit Wanachote, a Thai bloke. He was born on 15 February 1928 in Surat Thani Province, Thailand. Khun Kanit's... - Tobacco Plain Packaging (1 speech)
According to the Department of Health, each year smoking kills an estimated 15,000 Australians. It is widely recognised as the single largest preventable cause of illness and premature death in... - Managed Investment Schemes (1 speech)
The Greens want an inquiry to look at whether government has any case to answer in the systemic failure of the forestry managed-investment scheme industry in this country. These schemes,... - Tax Evasion (1 speech)
Today, I met with representatives from the Christian activist group, the Micah Challenge, as part of their 'Shine the light on tax dodging and corruption' campaign. It was an absolute pleasure to... - Budget (1 speech)
Tonight I rise to speak once more about why this government's budget of broken promises represents such a clear breach of trust. A little over a year ago in this chamber, I warned about what an... - G20 Protests (1 speech)
Recently I was invited to the Queensland Police Union employees' conference by the president of the union, Ian Levers. As you would know, Mr Deputy President, I am the deputy chair of the Joint... - Hockey (3 speeches)
I rise tonight to congratulate the Australian hockey team on their recent incredible success at the World Cup held in the Netherlands earlier this month. The hockey World Cup final consisted of... - Assyrian Community (1 speech)
I rise this evening to speak in relation to the Assyrian community, both those people who have settled in Australia and those affected by the very serious situation in Iraq. In March it was a... - Daytime Running Lights (1 speech)
Tonight I want to speak about daytime running lights. It might not seem like much of a topic, but they are creeping into the motor vehicle industry. Daytime running lights are provided for under... - Motor Neurone Disease (1 speech)
Given that I am retiring as a senator on 30 June, there have been lots of lasts in recent months—and this is the last opportunity I will have to speak on motor neurone disease in this... - Small Steps, Cybersafety Book Launch (1 speech)
Tonight I want to talk about two events I attended recently in my home state of Tasmania, both organised and supported by welfare organisations and both promoting causes that are of a great deal... - Child Abuse (1 speech)
I rise tonight not to reflect on my highs and lows as an outgoing senator but to talk about a topic that is and has been very close to my heart in the time that I have served in the Senate. That... - Environment (1 speech)
Following an announcement earlier today by the opposition leader, I am pleased to say that I have been appointed shadow parliamentary secretary for the environment, climate change and water.... - Homelessness (1 speech)
Last week I spoke about a gentleman by the name of Jonathan, who is homeless, living in his car with his son in the beach suburbs of Western Australia. Although I would really like to say he has... - Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (1 speech)
I rise tonight to continue a discussion I started in this place last week, regarding a vulnerable group of Australians who suffer from the medical condition of atypical haemolytic uremic... - People's Mojahedin Organization of Iran (1 speech)
I have spoken in this place before about my friend Mohammed Sadeghpour, an Australian citizen of Iranian descent who advocates strongly for a group of people who are trapped in Iraq at a place... - Holt, Mr Peter (1 speech)
I rise tonight to speak on a most insidious matter, a disgusting breach of trust and a shameful insult to hardworking Australians who are trying to put some money aside for their future, for... - Future of Financial Advice, Hawkesbury River Railway Crossing, Crime Prevention (1 speech)
I am a little breathless—I was in my office listening to Senator Dastyari and I was so caught up in the passion of his concern about the winding back of the FoFA laws that I forgot it was... - Budget (2 speeches)
Tonight I rise to make to make some comments on how the government's higher education reform will expand opportunities for regional students. As Sam Seaborn famously said, 'Education is the... - Radioactive Waste (1 speech, 1 comment)
Tonight I want to pay my respects to the Aboriginal elders of the Muckaty lands in the Barkly region, their families and their supporters around the country. I understand that only a tiny handful... - Malaysia: Rare Earth Refinery, Williams, Mr Chappy (1 speech)
A number of Australians recently travelled to Malaysia to work with the growing mass movement in that country protesting against the construction of an Australian toxic rare earth refinery plant...
