Senate debates

Wednesday, 29 September 2010

  • Notices (0 speeches)
    • Postponement (1 speech)
      I move to postpone notices of motion Nos 1, 2 and 3 to a later hour of the day. The reason for that is to allow the opposition, minor parties and Independents to examine those a little bit...
  • Governor-General’S Speech (0 speeches)
    • Address-in-Reply (60 speeches, 1 comment)
      I move: That the following address–in–reply be agreed to: To Her Excellency the Governor–General MAY IT PLEASE YOUR EXCELLENCY– We, the Senate of the Commonwealth of...
  • Matters of Public Interest (0 speeches)
    • (1 speech)
      Order! I call on matters of public interest.
    • Blessed Mary MacKillop (1 speech)
      Today I would like to speak on the story of Blessed Mary MacKillop. We are all hearing a lot about what will happen in Rome on 17 October. Australians are rightly very proud of Blessed Mary...
    • Afghanistan (1 speech)
      On 21 September this year it was widely reported that a front-line soldier engaged in a firefight where another member of that platoon was fatally shot had sent an email to a friend making quite...
    • Radioactive Waste Management (1 speech)
      I rise to speak briefly on  the question of radioactive waste management in Australia. It is fitting that these are the first remarks I will offer in this new parliament. Although we have...
    • Citizenship (1 speech)
      On 17 September for Australian Citizenship Day, I presided over my first citizenship ceremony as Parliamentary Secretary for Immigration and Citizenship. It was an inspiring and humbling...
    • Emissions Trading Scheme (1 speech)
      Australians have to come to grips with the fact that we are facing power price increases in this country not in the distant future but possibly within five years that will simply be economically...
    • Senate Select Committee on Agricultural and Related Industries: Report on the Incidence and Severity of Bushfires Across Australia (1 speech)
      The Senate Select Committee on Agricultural and Related Industries presented its report on the incidence and severity of bushfires across Australia on 13 August, which of course coincided with...
  • Ministerial Arrangements (0 speeches)
    • (1 speech)
      I seek leave to make a statement about ministerial arrangements. Leave granted. I advise that Senator Arbib will be absent from the Senate on Wednesday, 29 September and Thursday, 30 September....
  • Distinguished Visitors (0 speeches)
    • (2 speeches)
      Order! I draw the attention of honourable senators to the presence in the President’s Gallery of senators recently elected at the last election and who will take office from 1 July next...
  • Questions without Notice (0 speeches)
    • Gillard Government (9 speeches)
      My question is to the Minister representing the Prime Minister, Senator Evans. Does the government believe that the hung parliament provides an excuse for the government to break its election...
    • Economy (11 speeches)
      My question today is to the Minister for Finance and Deregulation, Senator Wong. I take this opportunity to congratulate her on this appointment in the ministry. Can the minister provide the...
    • Building the Education Revolution Program (8 speeches)
      My question without notice is to the Leader of the Government in the Senate and the Minister representing the Minister for School Education, Early Childhood and Youth, Senator Evans. Given that...
    • Kakadu National Park (16 speeches)
      My question is to—
    • Parliamentary Secretary for Disabilities and Carers (19 speeches)
      My question is to the Minister representing the Prime Minister, Senator Evans. Can the minister explain why, when the Prime Minister announced her ministry on 11 September, there was no member of...
    • Economy (15 speeches)
      My question is to the Minister for Small Business, Senator Sherry. Can the minister inform the Senate of the state of the economy since the chamber last sat, before the general election? In...
    • Asylum Seekers (16 speeches)
      My question is to Senator Carr, Minister representing the Minister for Immigration and Citizenship. I refer the minister to the Prime Minister’s statement on radio just three days prior to...
    • Wind Turbines (6 speeches)
      Mr President, my question is to the Minister representing the Minister for Health and Ageing, Senator Ludwig. Is the government aware of the serious adverse health effects for people living in...
    • Climate Change (8 speeches)
      My question is to the Minister representing the Minister for Climate Change and Energy Efficiency, Senator Wong. The minister will be aware that the Chairman of BHP Billiton, Mr Kloppers, has...
    • Broadband (13 speeches)
      My question is to the Minister for Broadband, Communications and the Digital Economy, Senator Conroy. Can the minister inform the Senate on the rollout of the National Broadband Network?
  • Questions without Notice: Take Note of Answers (0 speeches)
    • Gillard Government (22 speeches)
      I move: That the Senate take note of the answer given by the Leader of the Government in the Senate (Senator Evans) to a question without notice asked by Senator Abetz today, relating to the...
  • Notices (0 speeches)
    • Presentation (0 speeches)
      Senator Ludwig to move on the next day of sitting:That the following bill be introduced: A Bill for an Act to amend the Native Title Act 1993, and for related purposes. Native Title Amendment...
    • Postponement (0 speeches)
      The following items of business were postponed: General business notice of motion no. 27 standing in the name of the Leader of the Australian Greens (Senator Bob Brown) for 30 September 2010,...
  • Business (0 speeches)
    • Rearrangement (1 speech)
      I move:That the days of meeting of the Senate for 2010 be as follows: Spring sittings (2010): Tuesday, 28 September to Thursday, 30 September 2010 Spring sittings (2) (2010): Monday, 25 October...
  • Committees (0 speeches)
    • (3 speeches)
      I move:(1)That standing order 25(1) be amended as follows: Omit: ‘Environment, Communications and the Arts’ Substitute: ‘Environment and Communications’. Omit:...
  • Law and Justice Legislation Amendment (Identity Crimes and Other Measures) Bill 2010 (0 speeches)
    • First Reading (1 speech)
      I move: That the following bill be introduced: A Bill for an Act to amend various Acts relating to law and justice, and for related purposes. Question agreed to. I present the bill and move: That...
    • Second Reading (1 speech)
      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 as follows— I am pleased to...
  • Service and Execution of Process Amendment (Interstate Fine Enforcement) Bill 2010 (0 speeches)
    • First Reading (1 speech)
      I move: That the following bill be introduced: A Bill for an Act to amend the Service and Execution of Process Act 1992, and for related purposes. Question agreed to. I present the bill and move:...
    • Second Reading (1 speech)
      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 as follows— Introduction The Bill...
  • Aviation Crimes and Policing Legislation Amendment Bill 2010 (0 speeches)
    • First Reading (1 speech)
      I move: That the following bill be introduced: A Bill for an Act to amend the law relating to crimes, and policing, on aircraft and at airports, and for related purposes. Question agreed to. I...
    • Second Reading (1 speech)
      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 as follows— Aviation security The...
  • Crimes Legislation Amendment Bill 2010 (0 speeches)
    • First Reading (1 speech)
      I move: That the following bill be introduced: A Bill for an Act to amend various Acts relating to the enforcement of the criminal law, and for other purposes. Question agreed to. I present the...
    • Second Reading (1 speech)
      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 as follows— The bill strengthens law...
  • Water Efficiency Labelling and Standards Amendment Bill 2010 (0 speeches)
    • First Reading (1 speech)
      I move: That the following bill be introduced: a Bill for an Act to amend the Water Efficiency Labelling and Standards Act 2005, and for related purposes. Question agreed to. I present the bill...
    • Second Reading (1 speech)
      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 as follows— This bill amends the...
  • National Measurement Amendment Bill 2010 (0 speeches)
    • First Reading (1 speech)
      I move: That the following bill be introduced: A Bill for an Act to amend the law in relation to measurement, and for related purposes. Question agreed to. I present the bill and move: That this...
    • Second Reading (1 speech)
      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 as follows— The bill is a Bill to...
  • Committees (0 speeches)
    • Procedure Committee; Reference (5 speeches)
      I move:That the following matter be referred to the Procedure Committee for inquiry and report by 25 October 2010: Consideration of the following amendments to Senate standing order 104 and...
  • Convention on Biological Diversity (0 speeches)
    • (1 speech)
      I move:That the Senate—(a)notes that:(i)Australia and the world appear to have failed to meet the 2010 biodiversity target to achieve a significant reduction in the rate of biodiversity...
  • National Carers Week (0 speeches)
    • (1 speech)
      I move:That the Senate—(a)notes that the week of 17 October to 23 October 2010 is National Carers Week and the theme for 2010 is ‘Anyone, Anytime can become a carer’ reflecting...
  • Taxation (0 speeches)
    • Order (1 speech)
      I move: That the Senate—(a)notes that:(i)the Henry Tax Review made a number of recommendations in relation to superannuation,(ii)those recommendations were not adopted by either the Rudd or...
  • Budget (0 speeches)
    • Order (8 speeches)
      I ask that general business notice of motion No. 4 standing in my name for today, proposing an order for the production of documents on key assumptions underpinning mining taxation, be taken as a...
  • Poker Machine (Reduced Losses — Interim Measures) Bill 2010 (0 speeches)
    • First Reading (1 speech)
      I move: That the following bill be introduced: A Bill for an Act to put in place interim measures to regulate the rate of poker machine losses. Question agreed to. I present the bill and move:...
    • Second Reading (1 speech)
      I move: That this bill be now read a second time. I seek leave to table an explanatory memorandum relating to the bill. Leave granted. I table an explanatory memorandum and I seek leave to have...
  • Radioactive Waste (0 speeches)
    • (8 speeches)
      I move: That the Senate—(a)notes that:(i)29 September is International Radioactive Waste Action Day,(ii)locating domestically produced nuclear waste at Muckaty Station in the Northern...
  • Asylum Seekers (0 speeches)
    • (1 speech)
      I move:That the Senate calls on the Government to immediately reverse its current practice of detaining children and their families in immigration detention facilities. Question put.
  • Ombudsman Amendment (Education Ombudsman) Bill 2010; Commonwealth Commissioner for Children and Young People Bill 2010 (0 speeches)
    • First Reading (1 speech)
      I indicate to the Senate that these bills are being introduced together. After debate on the motion for the second reading has been adjourned, I will be moving a motion to have the bills listed...
    • Second Reading (1 speech)
      I present the explanatory memoranda relating to the bills and move: That these bills be now read a second time. I seek leave to have the second reading speeches incorporated in Hansard. Leave...
  • Commonwealth Radioactive Waste Management (Repeal and Consequential Amendment) Bill 2010; Anti-Terrorism Laws Reform Bill 2010 (0 speeches)
    • First Reading (1 speech)
      I indicate to the Senate that these bills are being introduced together. After debate on the motion for the second reading has been adjourned, I will be moving a motion to have the bills listed...
    • Second Reading (1 speech)
      I present the explanatory memorandum relating to one of the bills and move: That these bills be now read a second time. I seek leave to have the second reading speeches incorporated in Hansard....
  • Families, Housing, Community Services and Indigenous Affairs and Other Legislation Amendment (Restoration of Racial Discrimination Act) Bill 2010; Building and Construction Industry (Restoring Workplace Rights) Bill 2010; Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Amendment (Prohibition of Support for Whaling) Bill 2010 (0 speeches)
    • First Reading (1 speech)
      I indicate to the Senate that these bills are being introduced together. After debate on the motion for the second reading has been adjourned, I will be moving a motion to have the bills listed...
    • Second Reading (1 speech)
      I present the explanatory memoranda relating to the bills and move: That these bills be now read a second time. I seek leave to have the second reading speeches incorporated in Hansard. Leave...
  • Safe Climate (Energy Efficient Non-Residential Buildings Scheme) Bill 2010; Renewable Energy Amendment (Feed-in-Tariff for Electricity) Bill 2010 (0 speeches)
    • First Reading (1 speech)
      I indicate to the Senate that these bills are being introduced together. After debate on the motion for the second reading has been adjourned, I will be moving a motion to have the bills listed...
    • Second Reading (1 speech)
      I present the explanatory memoranda relating to the bills and move: That these bills be now read a second time. I seek leave to have the second reading speeches incorporated in Hansard. Leave...
  • Australian Capital Territory (Self-Government) Amendment (Disallowance and Amendment Power of the Commonwealth) Bill 2010 (0 speeches)
    • First Reading (1 speech)
      I move: That the following bill be introduced: A Bill for an Act to abolish the power of the Commonwealth executive government to disallow or amend any Act of the Legislative Assembly of the...
    • 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...
  • Preventing the Misuse of Government Advertising Bill 2010 (0 speeches)
    • First Reading (1 speech)
      I move: That the following bill be introduced: A Bill for an Act to require the Auditor-General to oversee expenditure on government information and advertising campaigns, and for related...
    • 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...
  • Restoring Territory Rights (Voluntary Euthanasia Legislation) Bill 2010 (0 speeches)
    • First Reading (1 speech)
      I move: That the following bill be introduced: A Bill for an Act to amend certain territory legislation to restore legislative powers concerning euthanasia and to repeal the Euthanasia Laws Act...
    • 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...
  • Committees (0 speeches)
  • Marriage Equality Amendment Bill 2010 (0 speeches)
    • First Reading (1 speech)
      I move: That the following bill be introduced: A Bill for an Act to amend the Marriage Act 1961 to create the opportunity for marriage equality for people regardless of their sex, sexual...
    • Second Reading (1 speech, 2 comments)
      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...
  • Asylum Seekers (0 speeches)
    • (1 speech)
      I move:That the Senate—(a)notes the continued suspension of processing asylum claims from Afghan nationals, which is due to end on 9 October 2010; and(b)calls on the Government to...
  • Evidence Amendment (Journalists’ Privilege) Bill 2010 (0 speeches)
    • First Reading (1 speech)
      I move: That the following bill be introduced: A Bill for an Act to amend the Evidence Act 1995, and for related purposes. Question agreed to. I present the bill and move: That this bill may...
    • Second Reading (1 speech)
      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 as follows— This bill amends the...
  • Joint Standing Committee on Migration (0 speeches)
    • (1 speech)
      I move: That the Senate calls on the Government immediately to respond to the three detailed reports by the Joint Standing Committee on Migration into immigration detention in Australia, Criteria...
  • Notices (0 speeches)
    • Presentation (0 speeches)
      Senator Xenophon to move on the next day of sitting: That leave be given to introduce a bill for an act to amend the Transport Safety Investigation Act 2003 to prevent interference with incident...
  • Committees (0 speeches)
    • Membership (2 speeches)
      The President has received letters from party leaders and an Independent senator nominating senators to be members of committees.
  • Matters of Public Importance (0 speeches)
    • Economy (18 speeches)
      The President has received a letter from Senator Fifield proposing that a definite matter of public importance be submitted to the Senate for discussion, namely: The Gillard Government’s...
  • Auditor-General’S Reports (0 speeches)
  • Governor-General’S Speech (0 speeches)
  • Documents (0 speeches)
    • (1 speech)
      Order! It being 6.50 pm, the Senate will proceed to the consideration of government documents.
    • Digital Television Transmission (3 speeches)
      I move: That the Senate take note of the document. This report of the Department of Broadband, Communications and the Digital Economy on digital television transmission and reception is quite...
    • Consideration (0 speeches)
      The following government documents tabled earlier today were considered: National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC)—NHMRC Licensing Committee—Report on the operation of the...
  • Adjournment (0 speeches)
    • (1 speech)
      Order! There being no further consideration of government documents, I propose the question: That the Senate do now adjourn.
    • Building the Education Revolution Program (1 speech)
      I rise today to compliment the Labor government’s Building the Education Revolution initiative, which has seen schools across this great nation receive much wanted and much appreciated...
    • Staff Sergeant Gilad Shalit (1 speech)
      As we enter the fifth year of the captivity of Gilad Shalit at the hands of his Hamas tormenters, we cannot escape the importance of the continued struggle for his freedom. On the morning of 25...
    • Disability Employment Services (1 speech)
      The Gillard government cares about those in our community with disabilities. This is evidenced by many of the government’s actions, and I wish to elaborate on some of these this evening. In...
  • Documents (0 speeches)
    • Tabling (0 speeches)
      The following documents were tabled by the Clerk: [Legislative instruments are identified by a Federal Register of Legislative Instruments (FRLI) number. An explanatory statement is tabled with...
    • Return to Order (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 January to 30 June...