Senate debates
Tuesday, 3 February 2009
- Representation of Western Australia (0 speeches)
- (1 speech)
I inform the Senate that I have received a letter from Senator Ellison resigning his place as a senator for the state of Western Australia. Pursuant to the provisions of section 21 of the...
- Staffing and Administration (0 speeches)
- (1 speech)
I would like to advise senators that Mr Brien Hallett has been appointed as the new Usher of the Black Rod. Brien has come to the Department of the Senate from Government House, where he held the...
- Committees (0 speeches)
- Electoral Matters Committee; Meeting (1 speech)
by leave—I move: That the Joint Standing Committee on Electoral Matters be authorised to hold a public meeting during the sitting of the Senate today, from 12.45 pm till 1.45 pm, to take...
- Business (0 speeches)
- Rearrangement (1 speech)
I move: That intervening business be postponed until after consideration of government business order of the day No. 2, Tax Laws Amendment (Political Contributions and Gifts) Bill 2008, and...
- Tax Laws Amendment (Political Contributions and Gifts) Bill 2008 (0 speeches)
- Second Reading (10 speeches)
Debate resumed from 14 October 2008, on motion by Senator Carr: That this bill be now read a second time.
- The Nationals and Liberal Party (0 speeches)
- Leadership and Office Holders (1 speech)
by leave—There have been some minor amendments to the coalition’s shadow ministry and representative arrangements since we last sat. I seek leave to table the updated list of the...
- Questions without Notice (0 speeches)
- Employment (12 speeches)
My question is to the Minister representing the Prime Minister, Senator Evans. Would the minister tell us how many jobs were created as a result of the government’s first stimulus package?
- Distinguished Visitors (0 speeches)
- (2 speeches)
Order! I draw the attention of honourable senators to the presence in the President’s gallery of a parliamentary delegation from Cambodia, led by His Excellency Senator Oum Sarith,...
- Questions without Notice (0 speeches)
- Taxation (6 speeches)
My question is to the Minister representing the Treasurer, Senator Conroy. Can the minister update the Senate on the state of the Commonwealth’s taxation receipts in light of the evolving...
- Carbon Pollution Reduction Scheme (14 speeches)
My question is to Senator Conroy, the Minister representing the Treasurer. In light of today’s updated Treasury forecasts, will the government direct Treasury to conduct further modelling...
- Nation Building and Jobs Plan (6 speeches)
My question is to Senator Wong, the Minister for Climate Change and Water. I would like the minister to please update the Senate on the actions being taken by the government to support...
- Automotive Industry (11 speeches)
My question is to the Minister representing the Treasurer, Senator Conroy. How many car dealers facing closure as a result of the government’s bungled unlimited deposit guarantee have...
- Nation Building and Jobs Plan (6 speeches)
My question is to the Leader of the Government in the Senate. I too refer to the $42 billion package which the Prime Minister announced just before question time. How many pieces of legislation...
- Trade: Policy (9 speeches)
My question is to Senator Carr, the Minister representing the Minister for Trade, and the Minister for Innovation, Industry, Science and Research. Given the Prime Minister’s repudiation of...
- Interest Rates (6 speeches)
My question is to the Minister representing the Treasurer, Senator Conroy. Can the minister update the Senate on the outcome of the RBA’s board meeting today?
- Broadband (13 speeches)
My question is also to the Minister for Broadband, Communications and the Digital Economy, Senator Conroy, who would certainly know about saying one thing and doing another. I ask him whether it...
- Schools Infrastructure (13 speeches)
My question is to the Minister representing the Minister for Education, Senator Carr. Can the minister inform the Senate what action the government is taking to stimulate the Australian economy...
- Health (7 speeches)
My question is to the Minister representing the Minister for Health and Ageing, Senator Ludwig. With many hospitals in New South Wales in the worst financial state that they have ever been in,...
- 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 today. Today we had the release of the new so-called fiscal package. The only way that we can...
- Condolences (0 speeches)
- Private Gregory Michael Sher (4 speeches)
by leave—I move: That the Senate record its deep regret at the death, on 4 January 2009, of Private Gregory Sher, while on combat operations in Afghanistan, and place on record its...
- Trooper Mark Donaldson VC (0 speeches)
- (4 speeches)
by leave—I move: That the Senate records this occasion of national significance in the awarding of the Victoria Cross to Trooper Mark Donaldson, VC, on 16 January 2009. I would first like...
- Petitions (0 speeches)
- (1 speech)
The Clerk: Petitions have been lodged for presentation as follows:
- Notices (0 speeches)
- Presentation (0 speeches)
Senator Hurley to move on the next day of sitting:That the time for the presentation of the following reports of the Economics Committee be extended to 26 February 2009:(a)provisions of the Tax...
- Committees (0 speeches)
- Notices (0 speeches)
- Postponement (1 speech)
by leave—At the request of Senator Abetz, I move: That general business notice of motion no. 332 standing in the name of Senator Abetz for today, proposing an order for the production of a...
- Leave of Absence (0 speeches)
- (3 speeches)
by leave—I move: That leave of absence be granted to Senator McEwen from 3 to 5 February 2009, on account of parliamentary business overseas. Question agreed to.
- Matters of Public Importance (0 speeches)
- Prime Minister (40 speeches)
The President has received a letter from Senator Abetz proposing that a definite matter of public importance be submitted to the Senate for discussion, namely: The incompatibility in the Prime...
- Ministerial Statements (0 speeches)
- Nation Building and Jobs Plan (1 speech)
On behalf of the Prime Minister, Mr Rudd, I table a ministerial statement responding to the global financial and economic crisis.
- Documents (0 speeches)
- Tabling (1 speech)
Pursuant to standing orders 38 and 166, I present documents listed below which were presented to the President, the Deputy President and temporary chairs of committees since the Senate last sat....
- Budget (0 speeches)
- Portfolio Additional Estimates Statements (1 speech)
by leave—I move: That the portfolio additional estimates statement just tabled be referred to the Community Affairs Committee for examination and report in accordance with the resolution of...
- Committees (0 speeches)
- Tarkine Wilderness (0 speeches)
- (1 speech)
by leave—I move: That the Senate take note of the document. I rise today to take note of the government response to a resolution of the Senate pertaining to the proposal by Forestry...
- Auditor-General’S Reports (0 speeches)
- Report No. 12 of 2008-09 (1 speech)
by leave—I move: That the Senate take note of the document. I want to pass on a very hearty ‘congratulations’ to the Australian Sports Commission for their leadership in...
- Committees (0 speeches)
- Membership (2 speeches)
The President has received letters from party leaders requesting changes in the membership of committees.
- Same-Sex Relationships (Equal Treatment in Commonwealth Laws — Superannuation) Bill 2008; Evidence Amendment Bill 2008; Australian Curriculum, Assessment and Reporting Authority Bill 2008; National Measurement Amendment Bill 2008; Transport Security Amendment (2008 Measures No. 1) Bill 2008; Water Amendment Bill 2008; Aged Care Amendment (2008 Measures No. 2) Bill 2008; Tax Laws Amendment (Education Refund) Bill 2008; Education Legislation Amendment Bill 2008; Families, Housing, Community Services and Indigenous Affairs and Other Legislation Amendment (Further 2008 Budget and Other Measures) Bill 2008; Same-Sex Relationships (Equal Treatment in Commonwealth Laws — General Law Reform) Bill 2008; Tax Laws Amendment (2008 Measures No. 5) Bill 2008; Corporations Amendment (Short Selling) Bill 2008; Interstate Road Transport Charge Amendment Bill (No. 2) 2008; Road Charges Legislation Repeal and Amendment Bill 2008; Social Security and Veterans’ Entitlements Legislation Amendment (Schooling Requirements) Bill 2008; Tax Laws Amendment (Luxury Car Tax — Minor Amendments) Bill 2008; Temporary Residents’ Superannuation Legislation Amendment Bill 2008; Superannuation (Departing Australia Superannuation Payments Tax) Amendment Bill 2008; Schools Assistance Bill 2008; Nation-Building Funds Bill 2008; Nation-Building Funds (Consequential Amendments) Bill 2008; Coag Reform Fund Bill 2008; Safe Work Australia (Consequential and Transitional Provisions) Bill 2008; Broadcasting Legislation Amendment (Digital Television Switch-over) Bill 2008; Migration Legislation Amendment (Worker Protection) Bill 2008 (0 speeches)
- Assent (0 speeches)
Messages from the Governor-General reported informing the Senate of assent to the bills.
- Temporary Residents’ Superannuation Legislation Amendment Bill 2008 (0 speeches)
- Broadcasting Legislation Amendment (Digital Television Switch-over) Bill 2008 (0 speeches)
- Returned from the House of Representatives (0 speeches)
Message received from the House of Representatives returning the Broadcasting Legislation Amendment (Digital Television Switch-over) Bill 2008, informing the Senate that the House does not...
- Tax Laws Amendment (Political Contributions and Gifts) Bill 2008 (0 speeches)
- Second Reading (0 speeches)
Debate resumed. Question put: That this bill be now read a second time.
- In Committee (16 speeches)
Bill—by leave—taken as a whole.
- Third Reading (2 speeches)
I move: That this bill be now read a third time. Question agreed to. Bill read a third time.
- Corporations Amendment (No. 1) Bill 2008 [2009] (0 speeches)
- Second Reading (2 speeches)
Debate resumed from 3 December 2008, on motion by Senator Ludwig: That this bill be now read a second time.
- In Committee (2 speeches)
Bill—by leave—taken as a whole.
- Documents (0 speeches)
- (1 speech)
Order! It being 6.50 pm, the Senate will proceed to the consideration of government documents.
- Consideration (0 speeches)
The following government document tabled earlier today was considered: Australian Electoral Commission—Report for 2007-08—Correction. Motion to take note of document moved by Senator...
- Adjournment (0 speeches)
- (1 speech)
Order! There being no further consideration of government documents, I propose the question: That the Senate do now adjourn.
- Economy (3 speeches)
I rise to reflect on the government’s management of the economy. When it comes to managing the economy, we have a government that is completely out of its depth. We have a government that...
- World Poverty (1 speech)
I rise today to speak on the issue of world poverty. A recent campaign by Micah Challenge Australia helped highlight to the house late last year the pressing issues of world poverty. As a result...
- North Queensland: Cyclones (1 speech)
As I speak in the Senate chamber tonight, an equivalent water capacity to that of Sydney Harbour is pouring over the Burdekin Dam and down the Burdekin River, not far from where I live in Ayr in...
- Documents (0 speeches)
- Tabling (0 speeches)
The following government documents were tabled: Fisheries Research and Development Corporation (FRDC)—Report for 2007-08. Mid-year economic and fiscal outlook—2008-09—Statement...
- Indexed Lists of Files (0 speeches)
The following document was tabled pursuant to the order of the Senate of 30 May 1996, as amended: Indexed lists of departmental and agency files for the period 1 July to 31 December...
- Departmental and Agency Contracts (0 speeches)
The following documents were tabled pursuant to the order of the Senate of 24 June 2008: Departmental and agency appointments—Additional estimates—Letters of advice—...
- Departmental and Agency Grants (0 speeches)
The following documents were tabled pursuant to the order of the Senate of 24 June 2008: Departmental and agency grants—Additional estimates—Letters of advice—...
