Senate debates

Tuesday, 18 November 2014

  • Withers, Rt Hon. Reginald (Reg) Greive (1 speech)
    I felt it fitting in my contribution this evening to pay tribute to someone who was a hugely significant figure not just in the Western Australia Liberal Party but also in the institution that is...
  • Department of Parliamentary Services (1 speech)
    Over recent years both in Senate committees and in this chamber I have raised concerns about the senior management of the Department of Parliamentary Services. I have said in the past I consider...
  • Australian Defence Force (1 speech)
    The government's unfair pay deal for Australian Defence Force personnel cuts real pay and takes away vital Christmas and recreational leave. I thank Senator Moore and the Labor opposition for...
  • Joanna Briggs Institute (1 speech)
    One of the great things about working in parliament—and I have the privilege of having been in the other place as a member of the lower house and now being here in the Senate—is that...
  • China-Australia Free Trade Agreement (1 speech)
    Nearly two months ago, I addressed the Senate on why a trade deal with China was so important to our farmers, and I am absolutely thrilled to be standing here tonight to say that the Abbott-Truss...
  • Griffin, Erin (1 speech)
    Tonight I rise to pay tribute to the extraordinary and inspiring life of Erin Griffin, from my home state of South Australia. On 5 December last year I spoke in the Senate about Erin's monumental...
  • Digital Currency (3 speeches)
    I did not have the honour of directly being involved in the G20 proceedings on the weekend, but I did go to an event on Sunday night in Brisbane. It was on the sidelines of the G20, and it was...
  • Climate Change (1 speech)
    Who could forget the iconic movie The Castle that came to our screens in 1997. You will recall the patriarch Darryl Kerrigan and one of his sons, the idea's man, Steve, and that great statement...
  • Indigenous Homeland Communities (1 speech)
    Yesterday in this place, Senator Back accused me of being 'loose with the truth' and 'ignorant of remote Aboriginal communities' in Western Australia. The truth is that it is Senator Back who is...
  • Rural and Regional Health Services, Employment (1 speech)
    I rise tonight to speak about two matters of community importance. The first touches on the community of Charters Towers in my home state of Queensland, and the second relates to a recent report...
  • Animal Welfare (1 speech)
    Most people would baulk at the idea of harming animals for human pleasure. Most people would agree the deliberate and calculated infliction of pain, stress or terror on animals as sport or...
  • Budget (1 speech)
    Despite the promises made by the now Prime Minister before the 2013 federal election that, if he won, his would be a 'no surprises, no excuses government' and that the election would be 'all...
  • Hunting (1 speech)
    Today I speak to the hunting community in Australia to say, 'Thank you for hunting.' You are part of an enduring tradition of humanity. Your endeavours are an integral part of Australia's rural...