Nita Green's recent appearances (OpenAustralia.org)
Administrative Review Tribunal and Other Legislation Amendment Bill 2025; Third Reading | Bills | Senate debates
I move: That this bill be now read a third time.
Administrative Review Tribunal and Other Legislation Amendment Bill 2025; In Committee | Bills | Senate debates
The government will not be supporting these amendments. The government maintains this power provides flexibility to respond to changes in migration case loads in a timely way. It is appropriately...
The government will not be supporting these amendments. The government maintains this power provides flexibility to respond to changes in migration case loads in a timely way. It is appropriately constrained to apply to temporary visa types and does not apply to protection visa matters. Removing the regulation-making power would undermine the effectiveness of these reforms. As a regulation, though, it is of course disallowable by parliament, as is appropriate.
Johnston, Professor Emma Letitia, AO | Statements by Senators | Senate debates
On Boxing Day last year, Australia lost a visionary, an extraordinary marine scientist, a gifted educator and communicator, and a wife and mother: Professor Emma Johnston, AO. Her passing was...
On Boxing Day last year, Australia lost a visionary, an extraordinary marine scientist, a gifted educator and communicator, and a wife and mother: Professor Emma Johnston, AO. Her passing was felt not only across the scientific community but across every corner of the country that cares deeply about our oceans and our natural environment. I met Emma in my role as Special Envoy for the Great Barrier Reef. Emma was a board member of the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority, and her contribution to the reef authority and the Great Barrier Reef was second to none. Emma's work was defined by curiosity, rigour and deep compassion for our natural environment. She completed her doctorate in marine ecology at the University of Melbourne and built a career dedicated to understanding how human activities impact marine ecosystems from Sydney Harbour all the way to the Great Barrier Reef and beyond. She authored 185 peer reviewed research articles, supervised dozens of students and helped shape the very fabric of environmental science in Australia. Emma has been remembered as a communicator who was tactfully able to bridge the gap between complex research and public understanding. Whether she was on television or in lecture halls, she communicated with the same clarity, warmth and passion that defined her leadership. I was lucky enough to see Emma at the Prime Minister's Prizes for Science dinner in 2024. She'd just been appointed as the first female vice-chancellor of the University of Melbourne. My thoughts are with Sam and with her family, friends, loved ones, colleagues and the broader reef community feeling this loss. Vale, Emma Johnston.
Economy | Statements by Senators | Senate debates
Queenslanders are doing it tough right now—really tough. I know that, after a summer of being battered by a monsoon troughs, floods and extreme weather, Queenslanders are calling out for...
Queenslanders are doing it tough right now—really tough. I know that, after a summer of being battered by a monsoon troughs, floods and extreme weather, Queenslanders are calling out for relief. Times like these bring our communities together. We see the very best of what Queenslanders and Australians are. But unfortunately when they look to this parliament over the next week, what they'll see from those opposite is nothing but division and disunity. At the same time, they'll see that our Labor government is solely focused on delivering for them. Our No. 1 priority remains the here and now for every Australian, while working to set up a better future for all. We'll continue to roll out responsible cost-of-living relief, including delivering a tax cut for every single taxpayer, with another cut coming in July. At the same time, we're working hard to strengthen the budget. We have found, since coming to government, $114 billion in savings including $20 billion in the most recent budget update. On top of this, we're addressing our longstanding productivity challenges. These investments that we are making are targeted and designed to take pressure off families. The question for those opposite really is: which part of this relief would you roll back? We will see a pay rise for minimum- and award-wage workers, taking the total increase under our government to over $9,000 for the lowest-paid workers in our economy. For new parents we've expanded paid parental leave to 24 weeks, and we're making sure that super isn't sacrificed, by ensuring super is paid on all government paid parental leave. We've delivered even more energy bill relief, with $150 off power bills for every household and one million small businesses. For apprentices building the houses that we need in this country, we're delivering a $10,000 bonus to top up their wages and incentivise their apprenticeships. And for those households who took up solar power, we've taken 30 per cent off the cost of batteries to permanently cut their power bills. For those studying vital subjects like nursing, teaching, social work and midwifery, we're delivering paid prac so that placements can be taken without the stress of working a day job. We've boosted Medicare with $1.8 million in extra funding, helping Australians get the quality, affordable health care that they deserve. We're delivering more choice, lower cost and higher quality care for Australian women, finally. Since 1 January, we've delivered the next stage in our plan to make the biggest cut to the cost of medicines in the history of the PBS. Thanks to the Australian Labor government, bringing the cost of medicines to $25 or less is making a real difference to family budgets. It is the cheapest that medicines have been in over two decades. Cheaper medicines alone will save Australians $200 million a year at a time when they need it the most. The question, again, for those opposite, is: which part of this relief would they roll back? We know that Queenslanders and Australians deserve a government that works hard for them. I'm proud of that work, I'm proud of the work that we have done over the summer, and I'm proud of the work that we will do here in this parliament. I'm proud to represent regional Queensland and to come from a place like that to deliver for the communities that I call home, here in this parliament. Meanwhile, those opposite, who say they stand up for the bush and say they stand up for regional Queenslanders, have spent their time here fighting each other. Those opposite remain a will-they won't-they opposition, more focused on fighting each other than fighting for Australians. They are tripping over their own feat to get to Sky News to make their case for their next job and to make their case against getting back together. They are meeting in secret men's clubs to plot to get rid of the Leader of the Opposition. They are splitting up and getting back together and arguing about committee positions. It is a disaster over there. They are so consumed by themselves that there is no room left to focus on the real priorities for Australians. The Liberal Party and the National Party— (Time expired)
The government will be opposing this amendment. The government considers that review on the papers is an appropriate and proportionate method of review for temporary visa refusal matters. Having...
The government will be opposing this amendment. The government considers that review on the papers is an appropriate and proportionate method of review for temporary visa refusal matters. Having a standard process for these matters, particularly student visa matters, ensures there is certainty and consistency in how the tribunal deals with this high-volume cohort. Giving the president discretion to exempt individual matters would likely result in a high number of applications to the president for that exemption, which would be time consuming and undermine the efficiency gains of this new process. Further, an applicant could seek judicial review of the president's exercise of discretion, or their failure to exercise discretion, in relation to this case. This would likely give rise to significant litigation and further delays in the resolution of matters. Importantly, the bill already gives the Governor-General the ability to make regulations to proscribe certain types of applications, which would be exempted from the on-the-papers process. This gives the government flexibility to adapt these new procedures if it becomes clear, based on operational experience, that hearings would be preferable for certain cohorts.
While we appreciate the arguments that you quite often make about reviews of certain legislation, the government will be opposing this amendment. With respect to these reforms, it may give you...
While we appreciate the arguments that you quite often make about reviews of certain legislation, the government will be opposing this amendment. With respect to these reforms, it may give you comfort to hear that the ART regularly publish data on case loads and are accountable to the parliament through Senate estimates—they will appear next week. These processes provide clear insight into the effectiveness of these measures, both on managing the tribunal's case load and supporting access to merits review that is quick, informal and effective. The government also notes that the Administrative Review Tribunal Act already contains an independent statutory review at section 294A, which states: The review must start within the 3 months before the fifth anniversary of the commencement of this Act. Finally, the Administrative Review Council, which was re-established by this government, serves to provide continued scrutiny of our system of administrative law. The ARC is already reviewing migration related provisions of the ART Act. On this basis, there is clear scrutiny of the tribunal, and it's enabling our legislation. The government considers it is unnecessary for there to be a further statutory review on top of this scrutiny.
by leave—I move government amendments (1) to (3) on sheet GJ111 together: (1) Schedule 1, item 9, page 5 (lines 23 to 24), omit "relates to a refusal to grant a student visa or another...
by leave—I move government amendments (1) to (3) on sheet GJ111 together: (1) Schedule 1, item 9, page 5 (lines 23 to 24), omit "relates to a refusal to grant a student visa or another decision", substitute "is for review of a decision relating to a temporary visa, and is". (2) Schedule 1, item 16, page 7 (lines 9 to 12), omit paragraphs 367C(2)(a) and (b), substitute: (a) the decision is a decision relating to a temporary visa; and (b) the application is of a kind (if any) prescribed for the purposes of this subsection. (3) Schedule 1, page 15 (after line 13), at the end of the Schedule, add: Part 3 — Other amendments Administrative Review Tribunal Act 2024 22 Subsection 212(2) After "President" (first occurring), insert "in the circumstances mentioned in paragraph (1)(a) (vacancy in the office of President)". 23 After subsection 212(2) Insert: (2A) A person must not be appointed to act as the Presidentin the circumstances mentioned in paragraph (1)(b) (absence, etc.) unless: (a) either: (i) the person is qualified, as mentioned in subsection 205(3), to be appointed as the President; and (ii) the Minister has consulted the Chief Justice of the Federal Court; or (b) the person is a member who is a Non-Judicial Deputy President. (2B) An appointment of a member who is a Non-Judicial Deputy President to act as the President as mentioned in paragraph (2A)(b) must not be for a period of more than 3 weeks. 24 Subsection 212(7) Repeal the subsection, substitute: (7) The extension must not be for more than: (a) unless paragraph (b) applies—12 months; or (b) in the case of a Non-Judicial Deputy President appointed to act as the President as mentioned in paragraph (2A)(b)—3 weeks. 25 After paragraph 279(2)(a) Insert: (ab) other than in accordance with subsection (2A)—a function or power under section 200 (giving directions) or subsection 203(3) (restricting member's duties); or 26 Subsection 279(2) (table items 8 and 11) Repeal the items. 27 After subsection 279(2) Insert: Functions and powers that may only be delegated to a Non-Judicial Deputy President (2A) The President may, in writing, delegate the President's functions or powers under section 200 (giving directions) or subsection 203(3) (restricting member's duties) to a member who is a Non-Judicial Deputy President. I also table the supplementary explanatory memorandum relating to the government amendments which I have moved to the Administrative Review Tribunal and Other Legislation Amendment Bill 2025.
Administrative Review Tribunal and Other Legislation Amendment Bill 2025; Second Reading | Bills | Senate debates
I thank all senators who have contributed to this debate. The Administrative Review Tribunal and Other Legislation Amendment Bill 2025 supports the tribunal to deliver efficient and high-quality...
I thank all senators who have contributed to this debate. The Administrative Review Tribunal and Other Legislation Amendment Bill 2025 supports the tribunal to deliver efficient and high-quality reviews of government decisions. The bill enhances the tribunal's powers and procedures so that merits review processes are proportionate and efficient. Efficient and timely decision-making is particularly important in the context of the tribunal's review of migration decisions, such as reviews of decisions to review visas. Delays in decision-making can cause backlogs, which creates an access-to-justice issue for genuine visa applicants while incentivising non-genuine applicants to apply for a merits review in order to extend their stay. The bill supports the tribunal by expanding its ability to make decisions based on written materials without holding an oral hearing. The government has considered the report of the Senate Legal and Constitutional Affairs Legislation Committee following the inquiry into the bill. The government agrees with recommendations 1(b) and 2 of the committee's report and will be proposing amendments to the bill to implement those recommendations. The bill itself would amend the Migration Act 1958 to require the tribunal to make decisions without conducting an oral hearing in reviews of certain migration decisions—specifically, decisions to refuse to grant a student visa. Subject to the passage of government amendments, the new procedure would only apply to reviews of temporary visa decisions prescribed in regulations. The proposed amendments give effect to recommendation 2 of the committee's report. The committee recommended 'that the government consider amending the bill to require a decision to refuse to grant a student visa to be prescribed in order to be an "application to be reviewed on the papers"'. The government's intention is that student visa refusal matters will be the first visa type prescribed to be subject to this process. Reviews of temporary visas such as student visas are suitable to be determined on the papers, and that's having regard to a couple of things: the nature of the issues of the review, the short-term nature of these visa times, and the low volume and complexity of relevant materials. Applications would still be required to be reviewed on the papers. They would be subject to a new review procedure set out in the Migration Act. The review would be conducted entirely on the basis of written materials without the tribunal having to hold an oral hearing. That means that the applicants would be given the opportunity to present their cases in writing. There would be no limit on the information that they would be able to present to the tribunal to support their case. Key features of this review procedure include requiring the tribunal to invite an applicant to give the tribunal written submissions and evidence on certain matters relating to the issues under review; requiring the tribunal to give certain information to an applicant and allow the applicant to comment on it; enabling an applicant to request the department to provide access to material given to the tribunal for the purposes of the review; retaining the tribunal's ability to request or obtain additional documents or materials by other means; and requiring the tribunal to make its decision after considering any submissions, evidence and comments given by the applicant and any other material that's given to the tribunal without holding an oral hearing. The bill would also amend the ART Act to give the tribunal additional flexibility to make a decision based on written materials and without holding an oral hearing in relation to other kinds of cases. The tribunal would be able to do so if it appears to the tribunal that issues can be adequately determined in the absence of the parties and it would be reasonable in the circumstances to make a decision without holding a hearing. This new discretion recognises that whether procedural fairness requires an oral hearing will depend on the circumstances of each case. It will ensure that simple matters with straightforward issues can be determined as efficiently as possible, enabling a proportionate allocation of tribunal resources. An important safeguard is that, before deciding to dispense with an oral hearing, the tribunal must consult the parties about this and take the party's submissions into account. The government will propose amendments that would implement recommendation 1(b) of the committee's report. The committee recommended that the government consider, in consultation with the ART, 'amending the bill to further improve the operational efficiency of the tribunal'. These amendments would give effect to the recommendation by enabling a non-judicial deputy president to be appointed to act as the president when the president is absent or unable to perform the duties of the office for a period of up to three weeks. The committee also recommended that the government consider, in consultation with the ART, amendments that might assist the president to better and more efficiently carry out their functions—for example, by expanding the powers that may be delegated to a deputy president. The government proposes amendments that would enable the president to delegate certain powers related to the management of member performance and conduct to non-judicial deputy presidents. It is appropriate for non-judicial deputy presidents to be able to exercise these powers in association with their existing functions for the management of member performance and conduct. The government has considered the committee's recommendations that the government consider amendments that would give the tribunal greater flexibility to provide oral instead of written reasons while ensuring that the tribunal is required to provide written reasons if a party to a proceeding requests them. The government will further consider and consult on this recommendation. The government has also considered dissenting reports through the committee process, and the government disagrees with the recommendations in those reports. Recommendation 2 of the dissenting report from the Australian Greens is that the government restore legal funding for applicants in the ART for review of migration decisions. The processes and procedures of the tribunal are designed to promote an informal, less-adversarial tribunal environment to reflect that a large number of applicants across this varied jurisdiction are self-represented. Recommendation 3 of that report also recommends that the Department of Home Affairs urgently review its decision-making procedure to allow for natural justice for applicants, including an express opportunity to provide evidentiary material to reduce the unreasonable case load of the ART. I can say that the department is taking steps to support continuous improvements in its decision-making processes. This includes implementing recommendations of the Commonwealth Ombudsman, learning from a merits review report in relation to incorporating tribunal outcomes in continuously improving processes. The Administrative Review Tribunal has a crucial role in enabling members of the community to seek fair, quick and inexpensive review of government decisions. This bill further strengthens the tribunal by empowering it with the tools necessary to make decisions in an efficient and timely manner while also ensuring that applicants have a meaningful opportunity to present their case to the tribunal.
Health Care | Adjournment | Senate debates
It's good to have you back, Senator Lambie, and thank you for that contribution. We and many people in this chamber know that having a baby is the most wonderful thing in the world. But, for some...
It's good to have you back, Senator Lambie, and thank you for that contribution. We and many people in this chamber know that having a baby is the most wonderful thing in the world. But, for some families, the experience can be incredibly physically and mentally difficult. Before my daughter, Stevie, was born, I had heard the term 'birth trauma', but I didn't really understand how common an experience it can be. I never thought that I would experience this trauma, and I never thought about how it would impact my life years after Stevie was born. Birth trauma can relate to physical and psychological trauma. For me, it was both. I was in pain and possibly in labour, but, for a variety of reasons, I was turned away. Among other circumstances, that led to an emergency C-section, a difficult recovery and a very close call for me and for the little, tiny baby that I had wanted for so very long. Of course, it was all worth it. Stevie is turning four in four weeks, and she just started soccer lessons on Saturday, so I'm a very proud soccer mum finally. But we know that, when pregnancies or births don't go to plan, women often suffer in silence, so I am sharing this story tonight. We also know that, when you don't know where to go to get help, it embeds trauma instead of allowing people to recover from it. That's why I'm just so grateful and proud that our government, working alongside the Gidget Foundation, is delivering perinatal mental health centres across the country. I want to thank Assistant Minister Emma McBride for being in Townsville last week to announce that Townsville will be one of the very first places to establish one of these centres. The Townsville perinatal mental health centre will mean so much to parents, offering the specialised and important care that new parents need and deserve. This is a hallmark of our Labor government—a government that has set out to strengthen Medicare for all Australians. After a decade of neglect, cuts and freezes under the former government, we are getting on with the job of delivering a better, fairer and stronger Medicare for all Australians, because, for Labor, Medicare is not negotiable. We're delivering more bulk-billing; cheaper medicines; more urgent care clinics across the country, particularly in regional areas; and, finally, better health care for women. Just last week, we delivered record hospital funding for every single state and territory. Our government has tripled the bulk-billing incentives for pensioners, concession card holders and children. We more recently expanded that to every single Australian. That single change has meant that millions more free GP visits across the country are happening right now. You can see this firsthand in how it has changed the way that bulk-billing is occurring in our communities. We know there's more work to do, but we're up for it, because everywhere signs are popping up that loudly and proudly show that clinics have gone 100 per cent bulk-billing. But we did not stop there. We recognise that strengthening Medicare means strengthening access, and our Medicare urgent care clinics have been a game changer. For Queensland families, these clinics mean that, when they need care close to home, they can get it just with their Medicare card. Strengthening Medicare is also about recognising that, for too long, women's health has been underfunded and underacknowledged. Our government is changing that. On top of introducing the perinatal mental health centres, we have expanded endometriosis and pelvic pain clinics and invested in more, including in my home town of Cairns—shout-out to Dr Sam and the team at the pelvic pain clinic; you guys are awesome! This team is providing specialised care to women who for years were told that their pain was normal or who were dismissed entirely. On top of this, we're reducing the financial burden of contraception by improving access through the PBS. We've increased Medicare rebates for procedures like IUD insertions for women who are now not forced to pay hundreds of dollars of out-of-pocket costs for essential reproductive health care. For the first time, we've introduced Medicare supported menopause mental health care. Labor created Medicare. We will always protect it, and now we are strengthening it.
Law Enforcement Joint Committee; Government Response to Report | Committees | Senate debates
I present the government response to the report of the Parliamentary Joint Committee on Law Enforcement on its inquiry into the impact of new and emerging information and communication...
I present the government response to the report of the Parliamentary Joint Committee on Law Enforcement on its inquiry into the impact of new and emerging information and communication technology. I seek leave to incorporate the document in Hansard. Leave granted. The documents read as follows— Australian Government response to the Parliamentary Joint Committee on Law Enforcement report: Impact of New and Emerging Information and Communication Technology NOVEMBER 2025 Recommendations made in Impact of new and emerging information and communication technology Committee Recommendations Recommendation 1: The committee recommends that the National Cybercrime Working Group examines and reports on the merits of the following initiatives as part of its work developing a new National Plan to Combat Cybercrime: Response: The Government notes this recommendation. However, given the passage of time since the report was tabled, a substantive Government response is no longer appropriate. Recommendation 2: The committee recommends that the Australian government considers establishing a task force comprising information and communications technology (ICT), legal, law enforcement and security experts, including from academia, to: Response: The Government notes this recommendation. However, given the passage of time since the report was tabled, a substantive Government response is no longer appropriate. Recommendation 3: The committee recommends that the Australian government evaluates the current Mutual Legal Assistance Treaty process and identifies: Response: The Government notes this recommendation. However, given the passage of time since the report was tabled, a substantive Government response is no longer appropriate. Recommendation 4: The committee recommends that the Australian government explores a range of approaches for improving the information and communications technology (ICT) skills and capabilities of the law enforcement workforce, including: Response: The Government notes this recommendation. However, given the passage of time since the report was tabled, a substantive Government response is no longer appropriate. Recommendation 5: The committee recommends that the Australian government explores suggestions from law enforcement agencies and cybersecurity experts for improving information and communications technology (ICT) capabilities and resources, including: Response: The Government notes this recommendation. However, given the passage of time since the report was tabled, a substantive Government response is no longer appropriate. Recommendation 6: The committee recommends the Australian government considers the use of hybrid storage strategies, artificial intelligence and other advanced techniques for sorting, filtering and analysing large volumes of data. Response: The Government notes this recommendation. However, given the passage of time since the report was tabled, a substantive Government response is no longer appropriate. Recommendation 7: The committee recommends that the Australian government takes the following into account when developing any future strategies for biometric data and facial recognition systems: Response: The Government notes this recommendation. However, given the passage of time since the report was tabled, a substantive Government response is no longer appropriate. Recommendation 8: The committee recommends that the Australian government reviews current consumer protection laws and regulations in relation to internet-enabled devices and identifies changes that may be required to provide adequate and timely consumer protection in relation to the risks they pose. Response: The Government notes this recommendation. However, given the passage of time since the report was tabled, a substantive Government response is no longer appropriate. Recommendation 9: The committee recommends that Australian governments review legal mechanisms intended to protect victims, such as Apprehended Violence Orders, to ensure that they offer adequate protection to victims of crime facilitated by internet-enabled devices. Response: The Government notes this recommendation. However, given the passage of time since the report was tabled, a substantive Government response is no longer appropriate. Recommendation 10: The committee recommends that the Australian government develops education materials to inform law enforcement agencies and personnel about new and emerging information and communications technologies that offenders may use to facilitate family and domestic abuse, and to provide guidance on appropriate strategies for responding to such situations. Response: The Government notes this recommendation. However, given the passage of time since the report was tabled, a substantive Government response is no longer appropriate. Recommendation 11: The committee recommends that the Australian government develops and implements an Internet of Things (IoT) public awareness campaign that: Response: The Government notes this recommendation. However, given the passage of time since the report was tabled, a substantive Government response is no longer appropriate. Recommendation 12: The committee recommends that the National Plan includes, as a key priority area, ways to better coordinate intelligence gathering, data analytics, data management and investigative support services across Australian jurisdictions and agencies in order to ensure that law enforcement in Australia is able to keep pace with the rapid pace of technological change in digital communications. Response: The Government notes this recommendation. However, given the passage of time since the report was tabled, a substantive Government response is no longer appropriate. Recommendation 13: The committee recommends that the Australian government considers implementing the INdata Cooperative Research Centre to address the common big data and information data sharing needs of law enforcement agencies and explores other opportunities for improving information and intelligence-sharing between law enforcement agencies in all Australian jurisdictions. Response: The Government notes this recommendation. However, given the passage of time since the report was tabled, a substantive Government response is no longer appropriate. Recommendation 14: The committee recommends that the Australian government considers reviewing the Telecommunications (Interception and Access) Act 1979 and Surveillance Devices Act 2004 and amending them as necessary to ensure that they are technology neutral and an effective legal mechanism for meeting the telecommunications interception needs of law enforcement agencies. Response: The Government notes this recommendation. However, given the passage of time since the report was tabled, a substantive Government response is no longer appropriate. Recommendation 15: The committee recommends that the Australian government explores opportunities for greater engagement and partnerships with the private sector to facilitate the exchange of information and communications technology expertise and the development of novel approaches to tackling cybercrime. Response: The Government notes this recommendation. However, given the passage of time since the report was tabled, a substantive Government response is no longer appropriate.
Bondi Beach: Attack | Condolences | Senate debates
On 14 December, the first evening of Hanukkah, Australia's soul broke, with 15 victims that, in the space of six minutes, were taken from their families, from their communities and from all of us...
On 14 December, the first evening of Hanukkah, Australia's soul broke, with 15 victims that, in the space of six minutes, were taken from their families, from their communities and from all of us forever. And it still aches as we stand here in grief and unity to mourn the victims. Each life lost was an unthinkable tragedy. From Alex Kleytman, who survived the Holocaust as a young child, to Matilda, a young child herself, whose image stays with me and with many others—just a young girl, sitting with her sister, petting a lamb, face painted and smiling from ear to ear. Australia and this parliament will remember each of the victims—their names, their faces, the love that their families and friends felt in their presence because of their generosity and their big heartedness. This is what we should remember. The victims taken from us at Bondi will be etched into Australia's history forevermore, because what occurred on 14 December, the devastating terrorist attack at Bondi Beach, was the purest act of evil. What should have been a joyous celebration of faith and light ended in a nightmare from which these victims' families will sadly never wake. Cowards committed a targeted, antisemitic attack on Jewish Australians, and an attack on Jewish Australians is an attack on every single Australian, because there is no place for hate, violence and terrorism in our nation. My thoughts have been filled every day since with the people impacted by this event, particularly the loved ones of those who died and those who were injured. But, in the darkest moments, we see the greatest courage and compassion from everyday Australians. From the second the first shot was fired, we saw heroes, like Ahmed al-Ahmed, the police and surf lifesavers, who so courageously fought back, running barefoot across the sand towards the sound of gunfire to tend to the wounded—something no ordinary Australian expects to do on a Sunday afternoon nor is trained for. But they did it anyway to protect their fellow Australians. Doctors, nurses, paramedics and ambos dropped what they were doing and ran to work to transport and treat the wounded, and, in the hours and days after the attack, we saw Australians across the country lined up to give blood, because hate is not Australian. Mateship, camaraderie and a willingness to do your bit and help out where you can in a crisis—that's what Australian unity is about. We thank every single hero for their acts of bravery on that day. They saved countless lives, and their kindness endures. Jewish Australians should never live in fear, and that is why we are dedicating every resource required to make sure not only that they feel safe and protected but that they are safe and protected. We recognise that this is an incredibly tough time for the Jewish community across the country, and I want to acknowledge a Rabbi Ari Rubin and the Chabad of North Queensland, or the 'Chabad of the Great Barrier Reef' as it is sometimes called. He has comforted our Jewish Australians across North Queensland, in Cairns, Townsville and even down in Mackay. Rabbi Ari is the personification of light. I've known him for many years. He has invited me many times to celebrations and given me the chance to speak. He personifies what it means for light to conquer over darkness. He held a vigil, attended by more than 400 people, in Cairns. We know there's not a single community that was not affected, and that did not grieve, but on that day people from all over the Cairns community came together to support their Jewish friends. Jewish Australians should know that we stand with them, that this parliament stands with them, just as every Australian stands with them today and every single day going forward.
Albanese Government, Irwin, Mr Robert Clarence | Statements by Senators | Senate debates
As you know, Acting Deputy President Polley, and as I'm sure you campaigned to the good people of Tasmania, during the election we promised to cut student debt, and we meant it. It was the very...
As you know, Acting Deputy President Polley, and as I'm sure you campaigned to the good people of Tasmania, during the election we promised to cut student debt, and we meant it. It was the very first piece of legislation we introduced in this parliament, and now we are delivering on that commitment. Over the next couple of weeks, young Australians will be getting one of the best text messages they've ever received. It's a simple message but one that will make a real difference. It will let them know that their student debts have been reduced by 20 per cent. Our government is stepping up for the more than three million Australians with a student debt. The average HECS debt today is about $27,000. That means the average reduction will be around $5½ thousand—wiped from those balances. There will be no applications, no forms and no hoops to jump through, just real cost-of-living relief at a time people need it most. That is what we are doing. We are delivering for the people of Australia. We've delivered more bulk-billing Medicare. We've delivered cheaper medicines. We are now delivering the student debt cuts that we promised at the election. While those opposite bicker and back-step, our government is getting on with the job of delivering for all Australians. In my last few seconds, as I stand here for what will probably be my last contribution of this parliamentary year, I want to say a quick congratulations to Australia's very own Robert Irwin. He has made the finals of Dancing with the Stars, and I know so many of us in Australia are rooting for him to bring it home tonight in the US. Robert is Australia's travel ambassador in the US. He's out there, working hard and proving why US travellers should come and visit Australia. I know those twinkle toes are going to bring home the trophy tonight. Good luck, Robert! We are all behind you. We can't wait to see you exceed our expectations. Congratulations for making the final.
Northern Australia | Ministerial Statements | Senate debates
On behalf of the Minister for Resources and Northern Australia, I table the 2025 Annual Statement on Developing Northern Australia, and I move: That the Senate take note of the statement. A...
On behalf of the Minister for Resources and Northern Australia, I table the 2025 Annual Statement on Developing Northern Australia, and I move: That the Senate take note of the statement. A strong north means a strong Australia. Together with the Minister for Northern Australia, Madeleine King; and one of the territory's strongest advocates, special envoy and member for Solomon, Luke Gosling, we are working to secure the prosperity and security across this great region. It is a privilege to represent such a dynamic and diverse part of our country, and it's a privilege to be part of this northern Australia team in a government that is continuing to unlock some ambitious and promising opportunities for the north. From our Future Made in Australia agenda, our investments in green energy to deliver important water infrastructure and the recent landmark critical minerals deals with the US, we are doing the heavy lifting in a range of key areas to ensure that our country continues to grow, we create jobs and prosperity in the north, and we protect our natural environment. But with this is an acknowledgement that there is still more work to do to ensure that we truly grasp these opportunities and deliver lasting, meaningful impacts on our communities. Last year, Minister King launched our government's Northern Australia Action Plan. Today, Minister King delivered the Annual statement on developing northern Australia and also released the annual progress report on the action plan, outlining our government's achievements across six policy priority areas. This report shows that we are activating the northern economy, driving growth across agriculture, tourism, critical minerals and renewable energy. We are investing in infrastructure to unlock growth, including road, rail, port and digital connectivity projects. Here are just a few of those important projects. We're delivering $7.2 billion to improve safety on the Bruce Highway. Work has officially started on Queensland's beef roads through Central Queensland with $400 million from our government and another $100 million from the state government. There is $1.1 billion going to the Tanami Road Upgrade across WA and the NT. And, of course, work continues on the Outback Way across all three of the northern jurisdictions. This is on top of investment into a number of regional airports in the north, which are such critical lifelines for communities. Our government has always valued and understood the NBN and the community's expectations for decent, reliable digital connectivity, which is why we've invested in programs like our Regional Connectivity Program and the Regional Roads Australia Mobile Program. We are also boosting safety and building national security through upgrades to defence bases in the north. Across five key defence projects, $1.77 billion is estimated to have been delivered to date—with a further $749 million in the next financial year. We are protecting the north's unique environment and cultural heritage, with First Nations aspirations at the heart of this work. So much of our incredible beauty and diversity is in our northern landscapes: the Great Barrier Reef, our wet tropics rainforest, Kakadu, Uluru and the Kimberley. These places all have enduring, deep connections to First Nations Australians, and improving the prosperity of First Nations peoples and communities is critical to the success of the northern Australia agenda. I would like to recognise the Northern Australia Indigenous Reference Group, led by Professor Martin Nakata. Along with Minister King and Senator the Hon. Malarndirri McCarthy, the Minister for Indigenous Australians, we are working with the group on practical actions to improve the lives of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people across the north. We also announced today the continuation of the investment period of the Northern Australia Infrastructure Facility. The NAIF is our government's main investment vehicle in northern Australia, and its investment period will be extended for another decade—until mid 2036. This comes after a review earlier this year into NAIF's operations, which found overwhelming support for this facility across business, industry, government and the public. The NAIF is proving effective in developing northern Australia. It now has a portfolio of 32 projects forecast to generate more than $33 billion in public benefit. Its supports across sectors extend to tourism and supporting infrastructure. NAIF supported projects include airport upgrades at regional hubs like Darwin, Alice Springs, Rockhampton, Townsville, Cairns and Mackay. As well as supporting connectivity across northern Australia, these upgrades will also support air travel from the north to other parts of Australia and to our near neighbours in the Pacific, and they will help our government deliver on improved mobility opportunities between the Pacific and Australia under the Pacific-Australia Labour Mobility scheme. There are 31,000 PALM workers in Australia. More than half of these workers are in the Northern Territory, Western Australia and Queensland. These workers make vital economic contributions to regional Australia and enrich the communities that they are a part of. The PALM scheme is also highly valued by Pacific countries and Timor-Leste. They're contributing to Australia's economy and also to their own families and communities back home. Before I close, I would like to acknowledge some of our northernmost communities are currently feeling the impacts of Cyclone Fina. Cyclone Fina has spent the past few days travelling across the Top End, causing considerable disruption and damage in Darwin and surrounds. The cleanup is underway, and we'll no doubt learn more about the full extent of the damage in the coming days. Many residents and businesses remain without power and water. While northerners are no strangers to cyclones, it continues to be an anxious time. Fina has continued over the north of Western Australia. Our thoughts are currently with the WA communities, and we wish them safety in these next few hours. We recognise the incredible efforts of our emergency personnel and volunteers, who put so much of their lives on the line to protect our communities during these events. Finally, I'd like to put on the record my thanks to the many stakeholders across the north who work every single day to make our region the very best that it can be. Since my appointment as the Assistant Minister for Northern Australia a few months ago, their openness and willingness to partner with me and our government more broadly as we work to progress the northern agenda has been absolutely incredible. I have been meeting with people, community organisations, businesses and industry leaders right across the north, not just in my hometown in Cairns but, of course, in Townsville, Mount Isa, Mackay, Rockhampton, Darwin and Arnhem Land in the Northern Territory, as well as some of our closest neighbours in the Pacific, including PNG and Fiji. These conversations have highlighted both the immense potential and the shared challenges of our vast region. Senators in this place will well know I have a vested interest in this policy area. I call the north home. I have a three-year-old daughter who is growing up in the north. I am part of a connected community on country that is incredibly beautiful and diverse. I'm sure that I speak for others in here in the Senate today who live or are lucky enough to spend time in the north when I say it is a very, very special place. Our regional and rural communities each have a unique identity and sense of community. Our people of the north work hard and often in challenging conditions. Cyclone Fina is a reminder of this. Our government is committed to supporting them now and for many generations to come into the future. Thank you.
Attorney-General's Department; Order for the Production of Documents | Documents | Senate debates
I table documents relating to the order of production of documents concerning the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps.
Criminal Code Amendment (State Sponsors of Terrorism) Bill 2025; Third Reading | Bills | Senate debates
I move: That this bill be now read a third time. Question agreed to. Bill read a third time.
Criminal Code Amendment (State Sponsors of Terrorism) Bill 2025; In Committee | Bills | Senate debates
The brevity of my answer doesn't indicate the care that we have for this issue, but I think you've seen a willingness from the government and the opposition to consider these further, and we will...
The brevity of my answer doesn't indicate the care that we have for this issue, but I think you've seen a willingness from the government and the opposition to consider these further, and we will undertake to do that. I don't have anything to add to my answer other than the broad humanitarian exemption is complex, and that is why we are considering it.
Senator Faruqi is correct—the government will not be supporting these amendments at this time. I want to put on the record some of the reasons and what the Criminal Code Amendment (State...
Senator Faruqi is correct—the government will not be supporting these amendments at this time. I want to put on the record some of the reasons and what the Criminal Code Amendment (State Sponsors of Terrorism) Bill 2025 does and doesn't do in terms of protections. The Australian government strongly supports the critical work of humanitarian workers in crisis zones around the world, and we are deeply committed to ensuring humanitarian workers are protected and afforded the access that they need to carry out lifesaving work. This is why we led the Declaration for the Protection of Humanitarian Personnel, launched in September in New York, with over 100 signatories. We will continue to work across government and with the sector to ensure we can uphold the principles we committed to in the declaration. The government acknowledges the advocacy of groups such as the Australian Council for International Development and the Save the Children Australia for greater humanitarian exemptions not only in respect of this bill but existing terrorism offences. The government is actively engaging with humanitarian organisations in relation to their concerns with these frameworks and their advocacy for a broad humanitarian exemption. These are complex matters requiring careful consideration, and we must avoid the risk of unintended consequences. The bill directly responds to the highly concerning emergence of the threat of state sponsored terrorism. It is not an appropriate vehicle to consider broader changes to Australia's counter-terrorism framework. Further these amendments propose changes to part 5.3 of the Criminal Code, which is supported by referral powers from the states. Consistent with section 100.8 of the Criminal Code and the Inter-Governmental Agreement on Counter-Terrorism Laws, the agreement of the first ministers is required to change part 5.3. It is important to note that the bill contains general defences in relation to individuals performing an official duty or function of the United Nations or the International Committee of the Red Cross. This acknowledges the mandates of these organisations under international law or as multilateral entities, which necessitate their engagement with all state actors. The bill also contains an express humanitarian defence to the offence of associating with a state sponsor of terrorism. This mirrors the existing defence of association with a terrorist organisation contained within part 5.3 of the Criminal Code. We believe any changes to humanitarian exemptions should be consistent across terrorism frameworks.
Criminal Code Amendment (State Sponsors of Terrorism) Bill 2025; Second Reading | Bills | Senate debates
I want to thank my parliamentary colleagues for their contributions to the debate on the Criminal Code Amendment (State Sponsors of Terrorism) Bill 2025 and to the committee process. Keeping our...
I want to thank my parliamentary colleagues for their contributions to the debate on the Criminal Code Amendment (State Sponsors of Terrorism) Bill 2025 and to the committee process. Keeping our community safe from those who seek to do us harm is a top priority for the Albanese government. The government condemns in the strongest possible terms foreign states who seek to harm and terrify Australians. These actors seek to sow discord and division in our community and they will not be allowed to succeed. The bill amends the Criminal Code to introduce a framework to list foreign state entities as state sponsors of terrorism and respond to state terrorist acts. The bill will also provide a comprehensive suite of criminal offences addressing state sponsors of terrorism and the acts they seek to foster on our shores. Law enforcement and intelligence agencies will be provided the same powers to investigate and disrupt these threats as they have for non-state terrorist acts. Many of my Senate colleagues have done a good job of summing up the structure of this bill and the way that it will seek to list state sponsored terrorism, so I won't go into that, but I wanted to address the second reading amendment that's been proposed by Senator Thorpe. I think it's important to put this on the record. Of course we respect Senator Thorpe, but the government will not be supporting her second reading amendment. There is no place in Australia for racism, hatred or discrimination of any kind, and we unequivocally condemn it. Every Australian, no matter their race or religion, should be able to enjoy their life in any Australian community without prejudice or discrimination. It is inappropriate to use a second reading amendment to attack or criticise our law enforcement agencies. We note that Senator Thorpe does have other mechanisms available to her to put motions to the Senate or debate this issue, and I urge the Senate to oppose this amendment. In concluding on the bill itself, I want to reiterate that the bill sends the strongest possible signal that Australia condemns the actions of foreign states who seek to harm Australians and that any attack targeting Australians will not be tolerated. We must stand in unity against attempts to divide our society. In supporting this bill, this place would be displaying a strong resolve in defence of our sovereignty and our collective way of life. I thank the chamber.
Social Security and Other Legislation Amendment (Technical Changes No. 2) Bill 2025; Second Reading | Bills | Senate debates
I sincerely thank all senators for their contributions to this debate. With the passage of this legislation, the Social Security and Other Legislation Amendment (Technical Changes No. 2) Bill...
I sincerely thank all senators for their contributions to this debate. With the passage of this legislation, the Social Security and Other Legislation Amendment (Technical Changes No. 2) Bill 2025, our social security system will be stronger, it will be fairer and it will be more responsive to the needs of the Australian community. I want to touch on some of the very important measures this bill contains. The bill expands access to the special circumstances waiver to protect victims-survivors of financial abuse and coercion. These debt reforms will make a big difference to many women who have suffered financial coercion and abuse. In doing so, I want to recognise the important work of many people in this chamber and in the House on really highlighting the importance of this issue and the measures that can be taken to respond. The bill also increases the small debt waiver threshold to $250, to be indexed annually in line with the consumer price index. This change will wipe $1.2 million in under-determined debts from the backlog in 2025-26 alone. In doing so, the government is sparing many thousands of low-income Australian families the stress of being pursued for those small debts. The bill also takes a fair and reasonable approach to tackling the longstanding error known as income apportionment. By validating the past use of income apportionment, we spare taxpayers the cost of having government recalculate millions of debts going back decades. This validation recognises that a debt was likely still owed, but it was often miscalculated at the edges. The bill provides, as senators have recognised, the important Income Apportionment Resolution Scheme, which has been carefully designed to remedy this issue. The scheme provides a clear pathway for those affected to receive resolution payments. However, no-one is obliged to participate in this scheme or is prevented from exercising any legal rights to pursue a claim relating to their debt. Finally, I want to address the nature of the measures that we are taking to restrict social security payments to people who have outstanding arrest warrants for serious violent or sexual offences, because I want to put it on the record what this measure does and the types of people that we are talking about. It is very clear in the bill that we are looking to provide for the use of benefit restriction notices so that people who are subject to an outstanding arrest warrant for a serious violent or sexual offence can have their social security and family payments cancelled. This is a power only for the most serious of circumstances. I want to repeat that just so it is clear. It is only to be used in the most serious of circumstances. This change will help uphold the integrity of our social security system, and it means, to be clear, that those who are accused of serious violent and sexual crimes and are evading police cannot benefit from the social security system. We as a government believe that is an important measure to take. I want to again thank all senators for their contributions. I want to thank all of the people who contributed to this bill. I want to thank the minister for bringing these measures forward. In summing up, I want to thank again the many women in this place for their very hard work that has resulted in the financial coercion and abuse measures, because I know that an enormous amount of work has gone on on both sides of the chamber and in the House to make sure that we can provide, in our social security system, these protections for victims-survivors of financial abuse and coercion—an incredibly important step for this parliament to take. Thank you.
Great Barrier Reef | Statements by Senators | Senate debates
Our precious Great Barrier Reef is not just an incredible environmental accent. It is also an economic powerhouse. A report released last week confirms the reef is worth $95 billion. It...
Our precious Great Barrier Reef is not just an incredible environmental accent. It is also an economic powerhouse. A report released last week confirms the reef is worth $95 billion. It contributes $9 billion to our economy every single year and supports 77,000 jobs. The majority of these jobs are in tourism in regional Queensland. I know that's hard for those opposite to hear. It's inconvenient for them to recognise that regional Queenslanders' jobs rely on the Great Barrier Reef. If the reef were a private business, it would be Australia's fifth-largest employer—bigger than any bank, bigger than BHP. And the biggest risk to all of those jobs is, of course, climate change. This report must have gone unread by those opposite. Those jobs are going ignored. A week later, what are they doing over there on that side of the chamber? They are walking away from net zero. They're walking away from protecting our reef and the tens of thousands of jobs that it supports. They're putting the reef at risk in real terms and reputationally. Those opposite claim that they represent the regions, but Queenslanders know that our regions will be impacted first and worst by climate change. The LNP are in a shambles: splits, dummy-spits and, of course, leadership spills to come. But the only jobs that the Liberal and National parties are fighting to protect are their own. The only endangered species the LNP have their eyes on is that of the Leader of the Opposition, Sussan Ley. While the LNP are focused on themselves, our government is getting on with the job of delivering the energy transition we need, protecting jobs in regional Queensland and giving businesses the certainty that they need to invest.