Senate debates

Thursday, 30 September 2010

  • Petitions (0 speeches)
    • (1 speech)
      The Clerk: Petitions have been lodged for presentation as follows:
  • Notices (0 speeches)
    • Presentation (0 speeches)
      Senator Siewert to move on the next day of sitting:That the Senate—(a)notes that 30 September 2010 marked the 60th anniversary of the landmark 1950 report by Doll and Hill in the British...
    • Postponement (1 speech)
      by leave—I move: That general business notice of motion no. 38 standing in his name for today, relating to the consideration of legislation, be postponed till 25 October 2010.
    • Withdrawal (1 speech)
      I withdraw general business notice of motion No. 36 standing in my name.
  • Business (0 speeches)
    • Rearrangement (1 speech)
      I move: That the order of general business for consideration today be as follows:(1)general business notice of motion no. 48––Election commitments and the introduction of a...
  • Notices (0 speeches)
    • Postponement (1 speech)
      by leave—I move: That consideration of general business notice of motion no. 38—Consideration of the Restoring Territory Rights (Voluntary Euthanasia legislation) Bill 2010—be...
  • Leave of Absence (0 speeches)
    • (1 speech)
      by leave—I move: That leave of absence be granted to Senators Birmingham, Colbeck and Fierravanti-Wells for today for personal reasons. Question agreed to.
  • Native Title Amendment Bill (No. 1) 2010 (0 speeches)
    • First Reading (1 speech)
      I move: That the following bill be introduced: A Bill for an Act to amend the Native Title Act 1993, and for related purposes. Question agreed to. I present the bill and move: That this bill may...
    • Second Reading (1 speech)
      I table an explanatory memorandum relating to the bill 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....
  • Committees (0 speeches)
  • Transport Safety Investigation Amendment (Incident Reports) Bill 2010; Water (Crisis Powers and Floodwater Diversion) Bill 2010; Food Standards Amendment (Truth in Labelling — Palm Oil) Bill 2010 (0 speeches)
    • First Reading (1 speech)
      I move: That the following bills be introduced: A Bill for an Act to amend the Transport Safety Investigation Act 2003 to prevent interference with incident reports, and for related purposes, A...
    • Second Reading (1 speech)
      I present the explanatory memoranda relating to the bills and I move: That these bills be now read a second time. I seek leave to have the second reading speeches incorporated in Hansard. Leave...
  • Fair Work Amendment (Paid Parental Leave) Bill 2010 (0 speeches)
    • First Reading (1 speech)
      I move: That the following bill be introduced: A Bill for an Act to amend the Fair Work Act 2009 to guarantee 26 weeks government-funded paid parental leave, and for related purposes. Question...
    • Second Reading (1 speech)
      I present the explanatory memorandum 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 granted. The speech read...
  • Environment Protection (Beverage Container Deposit and Recovery Scheme) Bill 2010; Defence Amendment (Parliamentary Approval of Overseas Service) Bill 2010; Special Broadcasting Service Amendment (Prohibition of Disruptive Advertising) Bill 2010 (0 speeches)
    • First Reading (1 speech)
      I move: That the following bills be introduced: A Bill for an Act to provide for environmentally sustainable use of resources and best practice in waste management by establishing a national...
    • Second Reading (1 speech)
      I present the explanatory memoranda and I move: That these bill be now read a second time. I seek leave to have the second reading speeches incorporated in Hansard. Leave granted. The speeches...
  • Stolen Generations Reparations Tribunal Bill 2010; Food Safety (Trans Fats) Bill 2010 (0 speeches)
    • First Reading (1 speech)
      I move: That the following bills be introduced: A Bill for an Act to provide for the establishment of a Stolen Generations Reparations Tribunal to decide and make recommendations on claims for...
    • Second Reading (1 speech)
      I present the explanatory memoranda relating to the bills and I move: That these bills be now read a second time. I seek leave to have the second reading speeches incorporated in Hansard. Leave...
  • Commonwealth Electoral (Above-the-Line Voting) Amendment Bill 2010; National Integrity Commissioner Bill 2010; Plebiscite for an Australian Republic Bill 2010; Banking Amendment (Delivering Essential Financial Services) Bill 2010; Protecting Children from Junk Food Advertising (Broadcasting Amendment) Bill 2010 (0 speeches)
    • First Reading (1 speech)
      I indicate to the Senate that these bills are being introduced together. I move: That the following bills be introduced: A Bill for an Act to amend the Commonwealth Electoral Act 1918 to repeal...
    • Second Reading (1 speech)
      I move: That these bills be now read a second time. I seek leave to table explanatory memoranda relating to the bills. Leave granted. I table the explanatory memoranda and I seek leave to have...
  • Alcohol Toll Reduction Bill 2010; Drink Container Recycling Bill 2010; Responsible Takeaway Alcohol Hours Bill 2010 (0 speeches)
    • First Reading (1 speech)
      I indicate to the Senate that these bills are being introduced together. I move: That the following bills be introduced: A Bill for an Act to create a culture of responsible drinking, and to...
    • 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— ALCOHOL TOLL...
  • Business (0 speeches)
    • Consideration of Legislation (1 speech)
      I move:(1)That so much of standing orders be suspended as would prevent this resolution having effect.(2)That the following bills be restored to the Notice Paper and that consideration of the...
  • Mining Taxation (0 speeches)
    • Order (16 speeches)
      I move:That the Senate—(a)notes that:(i)the Government continues to hide key assumptions it has used to estimate revenue from its original as well as its revised mining tax...
  • Committees (0 speeches)
    • New Taxes Committee; Establishment (6 speeches)
      Mr President, I seek leave to amend general business notice of motion No. 52 standing in my name today proposing the establishment of a select committee on new taxes. Leave granted. I amend the...
  • Afghan Asylum Seekers (0 speeches)
    • (11 speeches)
      I seek leave to amend general business notice of motion No. 44 standing in my name today relating to the processing of asylum applications from Afghan nationals.
  • Australian Building and Construction Commission (0 speeches)
    • (8 speeches)
      At the request of Senator Abetz, I move:That the Senate—(a)thanks the Honourable John Lloyd PSM for his diligent and professional service to the Australian people, and to the Australian...
  • Compulsory Acquisition of Land at James Price Point, Western Australia (0 speeches)
    • (4 speeches)
      I move:That the Senate—(a)notes:(i)with concern, the statement of intent to compulsorily acquire land at James Price Point in the Kimberley by the Premier of Western Australia (Mr Barnett)...
  • Angela Pamela Uranium Mine (0 speeches)
    • (7 speeches)
      I move:That the Senate— I seek leave to make a brief statement.
  • United Nations Parliamentary Assembly (0 speeches)
    • (5 speeches)
      I move:That the Senate—(a)recognises the 2010 international meeting of the Campaign for the Establishment of a United Nations Parliamentary Assembly; and(b)congratulates this gathering of...
  • Montara Commission of Inquiry (0 speeches)
    • Order (7 speeches)
      I move: That there be laid on the table by the Minister representing the Minister for Resources and Energy (Senator Sherry), by Friday, 8 October 2010, the report of the Montara Commission of Inquiry.
  • Food Labelling (0 speeches)
    • (18 speeches, 1 comment)
      I, and also on behalf of Senator Xenophon, move:That the Senate—(a)notes recent reports in Australia that found infant formula had been contaminated with genetically modified (GM) soy and...
  • Liberal Party of Australia and the Nationals (0 speeches)
    • Leadership and Office Holders (1 speech)
      by leave—Earlier in the week Senator Abetz tabled the shadow ministerial arrangements and chamber representation. I seek leave to table the coalition precedence order, which includes...
  • Budget (0 speeches)
  • Committees (0 speeches)
    • Joint Committees; Establishment (2 speeches)
      Messages have been received from the House of Representatives transmitting for concurrence resolutions relating to the formation of joint committees.
  • Governor-General’S Speech (0 speeches)
    • Address-in-Reply (26 speeches)
      Debate resumed from 29 September, on motion by Senator Pratt: That the following address–in–reply be agreed to: To Her Excellency the Governor–General MAY IT PLEASE YOUR...
  • Committees (0 speeches)
    • (2 speeches)
      60 MembershipMembership
  • Governor-General’S Speech (0 speeches)
  • Questions without Notice (0 speeches)
    • Parliamentary Practice (6 speeches)
      My question is to the Minister representing the Prime Minister. The Prime Minister has said that she is ‘going to be transparent on any agreements entered into, and I will be’. In...
    • Economy (32 speeches)
      My question is to the Minister for Innovation, Industry, Science and Research, Senator Carr. Can the minister inform the Senate what action the Gillard government will take in response to the...
    • Green Start Program (10 speeches)
      My question is to the Minister representing the Minister for Climate Change and Energy Efficiency, Senator Wong. Minister, given the scathing analysis of the Green Loans program in the...
    • Asylum Seekers (12 speeches)
      My question is to Senator Evans, representing the Prime Minister. I refer to the answer given yesterday by Senator Carr to a question from Senator Cash, concerning the Curtin detention centre,...
    • National Broadband Network (7 speeches)
      My question is to the Minister for Broadband, Communications and the Digital Economy, Senator Conroy. Can the minister advise the Senate about the standard of broadband services in Australia? Can...
    • Indigenous Affairs (8 speeches)
      My question is to the Minister representing the Prime Minister, Senator Evans. The Queensland wild rivers legislation has the effect of locking up whole river catchments without the requirement...
    • Financial Institutions: Fees and Charges (20 speeches)
      My question is to Senator Sherry, the Minister representing the Assistant Treasurer and Minister for Financial Services and Superannuation. Almost 200,000 Australians have signed up to a class...
    • Economy (19 speeches)
      My question is to the Minister representing the Prime Minister, Senator Evans. With Australian families already struggling with the rising cost of living as a result of three years of reckless...
    • Hospitals (10 speeches)
      My question is to the Minister representing the Minister for Health and Ageing, Senator Ludwig. Can the minister advise the Senate on any new funding avenues available for health institutions to...
  • Questions without Notice: Additional Answers (0 speeches)
    • Wind Turbines (1 speech)
      Yesterday, Senator Fielding asked me a question on the impacts on health of wind turbines. I seek leave to incorporate the answer from the Minister for Health and Ageing, the Hon. Nicola Roxon,...
  • Questions without Notice: Take Note of Answers (0 speeches)
    • Parliamentary Practice; Economy (35 speeches)
      I move: That the Senate take note of the answers given by the Leader of the Government in the Senate (Senator Evans) to a question without notice asked by Senator Abetz today, relating to...
    • Green Start Program (1 speech)
      I move: That the Senate take note of the answer given by the Minister representing the Minister for Climate Change and Energy Efficiency (Senator Wong) to a question without notice asked by...
  • Auditor-General’S Reports (0 speeches)
    • Report Nos 10 and 11 of 2010-11 (1 speech)
      In accordance with the provisions of the Auditor-General Act 1997, I present the following reports of the Auditor-General: Report No. 10 of 2010-11: Performance audit: Centrelink fraud...
  • Documents (0 speeches)
    • Tabling (1 speech)
      I table the report of the independent reviewer on the impacts of the new job seeker compliance framework.
  • Taxation (0 speeches)
    • Return to Order (1 speech)
      I table a statement relating to the order for the production of documents concerning the Henry tax review.
  • Documents (0 speeches)
    • Tabling (1 speech)
      The Clerk: Documents are tabled in accordance with the list circulated to senators. Details of the documents appear at the end of today’s Hansard.
    • Departmental and Agency Grants (0 speeches)
      The following document was tabled pursuant to the continuing order of the Senate: Letter of advice (grants)––Australian Organ and Tissue Donation and Transplantation Authority
    • Unproclaimed Legislation (0 speeches)
      The following document was tabled pursuant to standing order 139(2): Unproclaimed legislation—Document providing details of all provisions of Acts which come into effect on proclamation and...
  • Committees (0 speeches)
    • Membership (2 speeches)
      The President has received letters from party leaders nominating senators to be members of committees.
  • Advisory Council on Australian Archives (0 speeches)
    • Appointment (2 speeches)
      The President has received a letter from Senator Lundy resigning her place as a member of the Advisory Council on Australian Archives.
  • Emissions Trading Scheme (0 speeches)
    • (23 speeches, 1 comment)
      At the request of Senator Fifield, I move: That the Senate notes the Gillard Government’s decision to blatantly break its unequivocal commitment to the electorate not to introduce a carbon...
  • Documents (0 speeches)
    • Digital Television: Transmission and Reception (3 speeches)
      Debate resumed from 29 September, on motion by Senator Parry: That the Senate take note of the document.
    • Consideration (0 speeches)
      The following orders of the day relating to government documents were considered: National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC)—NHMRC Licensing Committee—Report on the...
  • Committees (0 speeches)
    • Selection of Bills Committee; Report (1 speech)
      I present the 11th report of 2010 of the Selection of Bills Committee. Ordered that the report be adopted. I seek leave to have the report incorporated in Hansard. Leave granted. The report read...
    • Joint Committees; Membership (1 speech)
      I have received letters from party leaders nominating senators to be members of committees. The document read as follows— Electoral Matters—Joint Standing Committee—...
    • Select Committee on the Scrutiny of New Taxes; Resolution of Appointment (1 speech)
      by leave—I move: That resolution of appointment of the select committee agreed to earlier today be amended to provide that the committee be known as the Select Committee on the Scrutiny of...
  • Taxation (0 speeches)
    • Return to Order (1 speech)
      I table a statement relating to the order for the production of documents concerning mining tax arrangements.
  • Committees (0 speeches)
  • Auditor-General’S Reports (0 speeches)
    • Consideration (0 speeches)
      The following orders of the day relating to reports of the Auditor-General were considered: Auditor-General—Audit report no. 1 of 2010-11—Performance audit—Implementation of the...
    • Presentation of Reports (1 speech)
      On behalf of the Community Affairs References Committee, the Education, Employment and Workplace Relations References Committee, the Environment and Communications References Committee, the...
  • Adjournment (0 speeches)
    • (1 speech)
      Order! It being 6.35 pm, I propose the question: That the Senate do now adjourn.
    • Homelessness (1 speech)
      I rise tonight to talk about an event I attended recently representing the federal Minister for Social Housing and Homelessness, Senator Mark Arbib. Last Friday the Tasmanian state government...
    • Special Olympics (1 speech)
      I rise tonight to speak about the organisation Special Olympics. Special Olympics is a worldwide, not-for-profit organisation that transforms the lives of people with intellectual disability...
    • Caravan of Hope (1 speech)
      We hear a lot of bad stories in this place—sad stories or whatever—but I would like to talk about a good story. It is about the Caravan of Hope. You may ask, ‘What is the...
    • Parks Community Centre and Black Hill Pony Club (1 speech)
      I rise to speak tonight on the Parks Community Centre and the Black Hill Pony Club in my home state of South Australia. Both of these organisations are community based, not-for-profit groups...
  • Documents (0 speeches)
    • Tabling (0 speeches)
      The following documents were tabled by the Clerk: Christmas Island Act—List of applied Western Australian Acts for the period 17 March to 23 September 2010. Cocos (Keeling) Islands...
    • Return to Order (0 speeches)
      The following document was tabled pursuant to the order of the Senate of 24 June 2008: Departmental and agency grants—Budget (Supplementary) estimates—Letter of...