Senate debates

Tuesday, 14 August 2012

  • Condolences (0 speeches)
    • Diddams, Sergeant Blaine (1 speech)
      ():—by leave—I move: That the Senate records its deep sorrow at the death, on 2 July 2012, of Sergeant Blaine Diddams, while on combat operations in Afghanistan, places on record its...
  • Business (0 speeches)
    • Senate Temporary Orders (1 speech)
      by leave—I move: That the temporary order of the Senate relating to modified rules for question time continue to operate as a temporary order until the end of the first sitting week in...
  • Committees (0 speeches)
  • Parliamentary Representation (0 speeches)
    • Valedictory (1 speech)
      by leave—Thank you, Mr President, and I do thank the chamber for its indulgence. I have really enjoyed the bulk of my five years representing South Australians in the Senate. It has been a...
  • Bills (0 speeches)
  • Questions without Notice (0 speeches)
    • Asylum Seekers (15 speeches)
      My question is to Senator Evans, the Minister representing the Prime Minister. I refer to the Leader of the Government in the Senate's address to the Refugee Council of Australia on 17 November...
    • National Disability Insurance Scheme (6 speeches)
      My question is to the Minister representing the Minister for Disability Reform, Senator Evans. Can the minister update the Senate on the rollout of the National Disability Insurance Scheme?
    • Mining (20 speeches)
      My question is to the Minister representing the Treasurer, Senator Wong. Minister, how much revenue from the minerals resource rent tax has the government collected in July this year?
    • Electricity Pricing (16 speeches)
      My question is to the Minister representing the Minister for Resources and Energy, Senator Evans. Does the government agree with the coalition energy spokesperson, Mr Ian Macfarlane, but not its...
    • London Olympic Games (7 speeches)
      My question is to the Minister for Sport, Senator Lundy. With the London summer Olympic Games now officially ended, can the minister advise the Senate of Australia's performance at the games and...
    • Carbon Pricing (12 speeches)
      My question is to the Minister representing the Minister for Climate Change and Energy Efficiency, Senator Wong. Is the government considering any changes to the operation of the carbon tax that...
    • James Price Point (11 speeches)
      My question is to the Minister representing the Minister for Sustainability, Environment, Water, Population and Communities, Senator Conroy. I refer to the environmental impact assessment...
    • National Food Plan (9 speeches)
      My question is to the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry, Senator Ludwig. I refer the minister to the National Food Plan green paper released on 17 July. Given the importance of...
    • National Broadband Network (18 speeches)
      My question is to the Minister for Broadband, Communications and the Digital Economy, Senator Conroy. Can the minister advised that the Senate on recent developments with the National broadband...
    • Minerals Resource Rent Tax (1 speech)
      Mr Deputy President, consistent with what was discussed during question time I seek leave to table a letter from the Prime Minister to then Senator Bob Brown in relation to the mining tax. Leave...
  • Questions without Notice: Take Note of Answers (0 speeches)
    • Asylum Seekers (8 speeches)
      I rise to take note of answers given by Senator Evans to questions asked by Senator Abetz, I move: That the Senate take note of the answer given by the Minister for Tertiary Education, Skills,...
    • James Price Point (1 speech)
      I rise to take note of Senator Conroy's answers to my questions on Woodside's proposed development at James Price Point, I move: That the Senate take note of the answer given by the Minister for...
  • Business (0 speeches)
    • Leave of Absence (1 speech)
      I move: That leave of absence be granted to Senator Nash and Senator Boswell today, 14 August 2012, for personal reasons. Question agreed to.
  • Committees (0 speeches)
  • Business (0 speeches)
    • Consideration of Legislation (1 speech)
      I move: That the following general business orders of the day be considered on Thursday, 16 August 2012 under the temporary order relating to the consideration of private senators' bills: No. 86...
  • Committees (0 speeches)
    • Legal and Constitutional Affairs Legislation Committee; Reporting Date (1 speech)
      by leave—At the request of Senate Crossin, I move: That the time for the presentation of reports of the Legal and Constitutional Affairs Legislation Committee be extended as follows: (a)...
    • National Broadband Network Committee; Meeting (1 speech)
      by leave—At the request of Senator Cameron, I move: That the Joint Standing Committee on the National Broadband Network be authorised to hold a public meeting during the sitting of the...
    • Electoral Matters Committee; Meeting (1 speech)
      by leave—At the request of Senator Brown, I move: That the Joint Standing Committee on Electoral Matters be authorised to hold a private meeting otherwise than in accordance with standing...
  • Motions (0 speeches)
    • Polio Eradication (1 speech)
      At the request of Senators Moore and Boyce, I move: That the Senate— (a) notes: (i) the Australian Government's commitment to provide $50 million in support of global polio eradication...
    • Workplace Relations (2 speeches)
      At the request of Senator Abetz, I move: That the Senate— (a) notes: (i) advice from the Department of Finance and Deregulation released under Freedom of Information laws that the review of...
    • Ministerial Conduct (2 speeches)
      I move: That the Senate—   (a)   notes that:      (i)   Senator Bob Carr's electorate office in Bligh House, Sydney, also...
  • Matters of Public Importance (0 speeches)
    • Gillard Government (8 speeches)
      The President has received the following letter from Senator Fifield: Pursuant to standing order 75, I propose that the following matter of public importance be submitted to the Senate for...
  • Documents (0 speeches)
    • Tabling (1 speech)
      I move: That the corrigendum and the committee reports be printed in accordance with the usual practice. Documents being printed are (as per list): (a) Community Affairs Legislation Committee re...
    • Down Syndrome International (1 speech)
      I seek leave to take note of the response from the Chair of Trustees of the Down Syndrome International organisation. Leave granted. I am delighted that we have had this response from Down...
    • Bsafe Program (1 speech)
      by leave—I move: That the Senate take note of the document. I was interested to read the comments of Mr Jason Clare on the Bsafe program in his letter of 6 July. While it gave some...
    • Department of Sustainability, Environment, Water, Population and Communities (3 speeches)
      I seek leave to move a motion in relation to the response by the Minister for Sustainability, Environment, Water, Population and Communities regarding the Murray-Darling Basin Plan. Leave...
    • Domestic and Family Violence (1 speech)
      I seek leave to move a motion in relation to the response by the Attorney-General, Ms Roxon, to a resolution of the Senate on domestic and family violence. Leave granted. I move: That the Senate...
  • Committees (0 speeches)
    • Intelligence and Security Committee; Report (1 speech)
      On behalf of the Parliamentary Joint Committee on Intelligence and Security, I present a report of the committee on the review of the relisting of Hezbollah's External Security Organisation....
    • Membership (1 speech)
      by leave—I move: That senators be discharged from and appointed to committees as follows: Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade References Committee––...
  • Bills (0 speeches)
  • Committees (0 speeches)
    • Report (1 speech)
      ) ( Pursuant to order and at the request of the chairs of the respective committees, I present reports on legislation from committees as listed at item 19 on today's Order of Business together...
  • Bills (0 speeches)
  • Adjournment (0 speeches)
    • Haemochromatosis (1 speech)
      I rise to speak to the Senate tonight about iron. Much is said about the mining of iron ore in Australia. Iron and steel play an enormous part in our lives every day. And we know that there is...
    • Defence Budget (1 speech)
      I rise tonight to talk about the cuts to the Defence budget, particularly the remarks from the minister in response to people who have had their lives involved with Defence—people such as...
    • Supermarket Duopoly (1 speech)
      I rise tonight to speak on an issue which is of huge significance, and that is the supermarket duopoly strangling Australian grocery market competition and the impact of that on consumers. It is...
    • Volunteering (1 speech)
      I have been fortunate to be involved in community volunteering for most of my life. When I was 13 years old I joined the Maroubra Surf Lifesaving Club and I remain an active member of the surf...
    • Rural and Regional Health Services (1 speech)
      I would like to speak this evening about an issue of critical importance for those living in Western Australia's Great Southern region, centred around the town of Albany. It is no secret that...
    • City of Geraldton (1 speech)
      I rise to add some comments about a similar part of the world but further south from where Senator Smith has just been speaking of. This is an issue I know that our Acting Deputy President has...
    • Homelessness (1 speech)
      Homelessness is everyone's responsibility. It has been a major agenda item for Labor since we came to government in 2007. To one day 'end homelessness' we need to be working together: government,...
    • Norfolk Island (1 speech)
      I rise to talk tonight about a subject about which I am sure you know a little as well, Acting Deputy President Pratt—that is, Norfolk Island. Norfolk Island is a very beautiful Australian...
    • MyKasih Foundation (1 speech)
      I rise this evening to share with the chamber and with the community a style of income management as it is being practised in Malaysia. Since 2009 there has been a quiet revolution in the support...
    • Homelessness (1 speech)
      Last week was Homeless Persons' Week, a week when all Australians are encouraged to think of those in our community who do not have a safe and secure home to call their own. This year's theme,...
    • Bloomhill Cancer Help (1 speech)
      Last week at Buderim, Minister Plibersek came and opened the extension of a new therapy centre at Bloomhill Cancer Help. Bloomhill is an extraordinary place. Those of us who have the honour to be...
    • Sri Lanka (1 speech)
      I seek leave to extend my comments to 20 minutes. Leave granted. Tonight I would like to share with members information about Sri Lanka. I recently received some distressing information in my...
  • Questions on Notice (0 speeches)
    • Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting: Sri Lankan Officials (Question No. 1230) (2 speeches)
      asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs, upon notice, on 20 September 2011: (1) What steps has the Australian Government taken, or is it taking, to investigate whether Sri Lankan officials seeking...
    • Financial Services and Superannuation (Question No. 1549) (2 speeches)
      asked the Minister for Financial Services and Superannuation, upon notice, on 10 February 2012 : With reference to superannuation contributions in excess of the concessional and non -concessional...
    • Broadband, Communications and the Digital Economy (Question No. 1739) (2 speeches)
      asked the Minister for Broadband, Communications and the Digital Economy, upon notice, on 22 March 2012: (1) Can a list be provided of all office locations for each department or agency within...
    • Regional Australia (Question No. 1740) (2 speeches)
      asked the Minister representing the Minister for Regional Australia, upon notice, on 22 March 2012: Can a list be provided of all office locations for each department or agency within the...
    • Arts: Staffing (Question No. 1741) (2 speeches)
      asked the Minister representing the Minister for the Arts, upon notice, on 22 March 2012: Can a list be provided of all office locations for each department or agency within the Minister's...
    • Immigration and Citizenship (Question Nos 1743 and 1783) (2 speeches)
      asked the Minister representing the Minister for Immigration and Citizenship, upon notice, on 22 March 2012: (1) Can a list be provided of all office locations for each department or agency...
    • Climate Change and Energy Efficiency (Question No. 1758) (2 speeches)
      asked the Minister representing the Minister for Climate Change and Energy Efficiency, upon notice on 22 March 2012: (1) Can a list be provided of all office locations for each department or...
    • Defence Science and Personnel (Question No. 1771) (2 speeches)
      asked the Minister for Defence Science and Personnel, upon notice, on 22 March 2012: (1) Can a list be provided of all office locations for each department or agency within the Minister's...
    • Defence Material (Question No. 1775) (2 speeches)
      asked the Minister for Defence Materiel, upon notice, on 22 March 2012: (1) Can a list be provided of all office locations for each department or agency within the Minister's portfolio,...
    • Sport: Staffing (Question No. 1782) (2 speeches)
      asked the Minister for Sport, upon notice, on 22 March 2012: Can a list be provided of all office locations for each department or agency within the Minister's portfolio, detailing:...
    • Attorney-General (Question No. 1804) (2 speeches)
      Senator Bob Brown: asked the Minister representing the Attorney-General, upon notice, on 12 April 2012: (1) For the 2009 10, 2010 11 and 2011 12 financial years, listed separately, what...
    • Department of Education, Employment and Workplace Relations: Press Clippings (Question No. 1814) (2 speeches)
      asked the Minister representing the Minister for Employment and Workplace Relations, upon notice, on 19 April 2012: (1) Who prepares the ministerial press clippings for each minister. (2) What is...
    • Immigration and Citizenship (Question No. 1830) (2 speeches)
      asked the Minister representing the Minister for Immigration and Citizenship, upon notice, on 8 May 2012: (1) How many irregular maritime arrivals have there been since 1 January 2008. (2) How...
    • Sustainability, Environment, Water, Population and Communities (Question No. 1839) (1 speech)
      asked the Minister representing the Minister for Sustainability, Environment, Water, Population and Communities, upon notice, on 10 May 2012: With reference to the submissions to the South-west...
    • Special Minister of State (Question No. 1840) (2 speeches)
      asked the Minister representing the Special Minister of State, upon notice, on 10 May 2012: With reference to the electorate office occupied by Senator Lundy: (1) What is the address of the...
    • Special Minister of State (Question No. 1841) (2 speeches)
      asked the Minister representing the Special Minister of State, upon notice, on 10 May 2012: With reference to the electorate office occupied by Senator Crossin: (1) What is the address of the...
    • Special Minister of State (Question No. 1842) (2 speeches)
      asked the Minister representing the Special Minister of State, upon notice, on 10 May 2012: With reference to the electorate office occupied by Senators Cameron, Bob Carr, Faulkner, Stephens and...
    • Special Minister of State (Question No. 1843) (2 speeches)
      asked the Minister representing the Special Minister of State, upon notice, on 10 May 2012: With reference to the electorate office occupied by Senators Furner, Hogg, McLucas and Moore: (1) What...
    • Special Minister of State (Question No. 1844) (2 speeches)
      asked the Minister representing the Special Minister of State, upon notice, on 10 May 2012: With reference to the electorate office occupied by Senators Bilyk, Carol Brown, Polley, Sherry, Singh...
    • Special Minister of State (Question No. 1845) (2 speeches)
      asked the Minister representing the Special Minister of State, upon notice, on 10 May 2012: With reference to the electorate office occupied by Senators Bishop, Evans, Pratt and Sterle: (1) What...
    • Special Minister of State (Question No. 1846) (2 speeches)
      asked the Minister representing the Special Minister of State, upon notice, on 10 May 2012: With reference to the electorate office occupied by Senators Farrell, Gallacher, McEwen and Wong: (1)...
    • Special Minister of State (Question No. 1847) (2 speeches)
      asked the Minister representing the Special Minister of State, upon notice, on 10 May 2012: With reference to the electorate office occupied by Senators Kim Carr, Collins, Feeney, Marshall: (1)...
    • Bureau of Meteorology (Question No. 1849) (2 speeches)
      asked the Minister representing the Minister for Sustainability, Environment, Water, Population and Communities, upon notice, on 17 May 2012: With reference to forecasts made by the Bureau of...
    • Foreign Affairs (Question No. 1853) (2 speeches)
      asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs, upon notice, on 17 May 2012: (1) Did AusAID: (a) undertake a direct investigation of the Palestinian Union of Agricultural Work Committees (UAWC)...