Senate debates

Monday, 25 February 2013

• Bills (0 speeches)
  • Social Security and Other Legislation Amendment (Income Support Bonus) Bill 2012; Second Reading (5 speeches)
    I rise to speak on the Social Security and Other Legislation Amendment (Income Support Bonus) Bill 2012. This bill seeks to introduce a new tax-free, twice-yearly income support bonus for...
  • Social Security and Other Legislation Amendment (Income Support Bonus) Bill 2012; Third Reading (2 speeches)
    No amendments to the bill have been circulated. I will call the minister to move the third reading, unless any senator requires that the bill be considered in a committee of the whole. I call the...
  • Electoral and Referendum Amendment (Improving Electoral Procedure) Bill 2012; Second Reading (29 speeches)
    When the Senate last sat, I was making the point that the Electoral and Referendum Amendment (Improving Electoral Procedure) Bill 2012 will lead to important machinery reforms to electoral law....
  • Electoral and Referendum Amendment (Improving Electoral Procedure) Bill 2012; In Committee (20 speeches)
    by leave—I move Greens amendments (1) to (4) on sheet 7274 Revised: (1) Schedule 2, item 1, page 18 (line 4) to page 19 (line 1) (2) Schedule 2, items 2 to 6, page 19 (lines 2 to 11) (3)...
• Questions without Notice (0 speeches)
  • Minerals Resource Rent Tax (9 speeches)
    My question is to the Minister representing the Prime Minister, Senator Conroy. I refer the minister to comments made by the Treasurer on 19 February, when he described the fiscal mess of Labor's...
  • Media (9 speeches)
    My question is to the Minister for Broadband, Communications and the Digital Economy, Senator Conroy. Minister, in the context of media reform and the concentration of media ownership, are you...
  • Manufacturing (25 speeches)
    My question is to the Minister representing the Minister for Industry and Innovation, Senator Lundy. Can the minister advise the Senate what the government is doing to support manufacturing jobs...
  • Minerals Resource Rent Tax (9 speeches)
    My question is to the Minister representing the Prime Minister, Senator Conroy. I refer to a statement by the Secretary of the Treasury, Martin Parkinson, in estimates on 14 February, where he...
• Motions (0 speeches)
  • Minerals Resource Rent Tax (85 speeches)
    by leave—I move: That the Senate declares that it has no confidence in the Government's handling of the mining tax. Never before in the history of the Commonwealth have the Australian...
• Committees (0 speeches)
  • Rural and Regional Affairs and Transport References Committee; Meeting (1 speech)
    by leave—I move: That the Rural and Regional Affairs and Transport References Committee be authorised to hold an in camera hearing during the sitting of the Senate today, to take evidence...
• Questions without Notice: Take Note of Answers (0 speeches)
  • Minerals Resource Rent Tax (16 speeches)
    I move: That the Senate take note of the answers given by the Minister for Broadband, Communications and the Digital Economy and the Deputy Leader of the Government in the Senate, Senator Conroy,...
• Condolences (0 speeches)
  • Morrison, Hon. Mr Lawrence Morrison, AO (Bill) (3 speeches)
    It is with deep regret that I inform the Senate of the death on 15 February 2013, of William (Bill) Lawrence Morrison, a former minister and member of the House of Representatives for the...
• Petitions (0 speeches)
  • Internet Content (3 speeches)
    I seek leave to make a short statement in regard to the petition.
• Business (0 speeches)
  • Senate Temporary Orders (1 speech)
    That the following general business orders of the day be considered on Thursday, 28 February 2013 under the temporary order relating to the consideration of private senators' bills: No. 90...
  • Leave of Absence (2 speeches)
    I seek leave to move a motion relating to leave of absence for Senator Cormann, Senator Johnston and Senator Back. Leave granted. I move: That leave of absence be granted to Senator Cormann from...
• Committees (0 speeches)
  • Environment and Communications Legislation Committee; Reporting Date (1 speech)
    On behalf of the chair of the Environment and Communications Legislation Committee, Senator Cameron, I seek leave to move a motion relating to the presentation of a report of the committee. Leave...
  • National Broadband Network Committee; Meeting (1 speech)
    On behalf of the chair of the Joint Standing Committee on the National Broadband Network, I seek leave to move a motion to enable the committee to meet during the sitting of the Senate. Leave...
• Bills (0 speeches)
  • Small Business Commissioner Bill 2013; Second Reading (1 speech)
    I present the explanatory memorandum for 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. The...
  • Marriage Equality Amendment Bill 2013; 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...
• Business (0 speeches)
  • Withdrawal (2 speeches)
    I move: That general business order of the day no. 14, relating to the Marriage Equality Amendment Bill 2010, be discharged from the Notice Paper. Question agreed to.
• Matters of Public Importance (0 speeches)
  • (18 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...
• Ministerial Statements (0 speeches)
  • Afghanistan Transition, Transport Safety and Security Cooperation with Indonesia (2 speeches)
    I present ministerial statements as listed at item 11 on today's Order of Business: Afghanistan Transition, made in the House of Representatives on 7 February 2013; and Transport Safety and...
• Documents (0 speeches)
  • Tabling (1 speech)
    I present documents listed on today’s Order of Business at item 12 which were presented to the Deputy President and temporary chairs of committees after the Senate adjourned on 7 February...
• Committees (0 speeches)
  • Law Enforcement Committee; Government Response to Report (1 speech)
    In accordance with the usual practice and with the concurrence of the Senate the government response will be incorporated in Hansard. The response read as follows— GOVERNMENT RESPONSE TO...
  • Legal and Constitutional Affairs Legislation Committee; Report (1 speech)
    I move: That the report of the Legal and Constitutional Affairs Legislation Committee be printed. Question agreed to.
  • Consideration (1 speech)
    I seek leave to seek leave to move a motion to provide for consideration of the committee reports and the government response just tabled. Leave granted. I move: That consideration of the...
• Documents (0 speeches)
  • Tabling (1 speech)
    I present the 2012 supplement to the register of Senate committee reports. I present responses to Senate resolutions as listed at item 13 on today's Order of Business. The list read as...
• Auditor-General's Reports (0 speeches)
  • Audit Report No. 21 of 2012-13 (1 speech)
    In accordance with the provisions of the Auditor-General Act 1997, I present the following report of the Auditor-General: Audit report No. 21 of 2012-13, Performance audit: individual management...
• Committees (0 speeches)
  • Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade Joint Committee; Government Response to Report (1 speech)
    I present the government's response to the report of the Joint Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade on its review of the Defence annual report 2010-11 and seek leave to have...
  • Corporations and Financial Services Committee; Report (1 speech)
    I present the report of the Parliamentary Joint Committee on Corporations and Financial Services on the 2011-12 annual report of bodies established under the ASIC Act. Ordered that the report be...
  • Human Rights Committee; Report (1 speech)
    On behalf of the Parliamentary Joint Committee on Human Rights, I present the second report of 2013 of the committee on the examination of legislation in accordance with the Human Rights...
  • Intelligence and Security Committee; Report (1 speech)
    On behalf of the Parliamentary Joint Committee on Intelligence and Security, I present the report of the committee Annual report of committee activities 2011-12. I seek leave of the Senate to...
  • Community Affairs References Committee; Membership (1 speech)
    I move: That Senator Brown be discharged from and Senator Thorp be appointed to the Community Affairs References Committee. Question agreed to.
• Bills (0 speeches)
  • Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples Recognition Bill 2012, Courts and Tribunals Legislation Amendment (Administration) Bill 2012, Federal Circuit Court of Australia (Consequential Amendments) Bill 2013; 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...
  • Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples Recognition Bill 2012, Courts and Tribunals Legislation Amendment (Administration) Bill 2012, Federal Circuit Court of Australia (Consequential Amendments) Bill 2013; Second Reading (1 speech)
    I present a revised explanatory memorandum relating to the Federal Circuit Court of Australia (Consequential Amendments) Bill 2013 and I move: That these bills be now read a second time. I seek...
  • Appropriation Bill (No. 3) 2012-2013, Appropriation Bill (No. 4) 2012-2013; 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...
  • Appropriation Bill (No. 3) 2012-2013, Appropriation Bill (No. 4) 2012-2013; 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— There...
  • Completion of Kakadu National Park (Koongarra Project Area Repeal) Bill 2013, Customs Amendment (Anti-Dumping Commission) Bill 2013, Marine Safety (Domestic Commercial Vessel) National Law Amendment Bill 2013; 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...
  • Completion of Kakadu National Park (Koongarra Project Area Repeal) Bill 2013, Customs Amendment (Anti-Dumping Commission) Bill 2013, Marine Safety (Domestic Commercial Vessel) National Law Amendment Bill 2013; 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— I rise in support...
• Committees (0 speeches)
  • Legal and Constitutional Affairs Legislation Committee; Report (1 speech)
    Pursuant to order and at the request of the chair of the Legal and Constitutional Affairs Legislation Committee, Senator Crossin, I present reports on legislation from the committee, as listed at...
• Bills (0 speeches)
  • Electoral and Referendum Amendment (Improving Electoral Procedure) Bill 2012; In Committee (8 speeches)
    We are dealing with amendment (1) on sheet 7344 moved by Senator Xenophon.
  • Electoral and Referendum Amendment (Improving Electoral Procedure) Bill 2012; Third Reading (1 speech, 1 comment)
    I move: That this bill be now read a third time. Question agreed to. Bill read a third time.
  • Crimes Legislation Amendment (Slavery, Slavery-like Conditions and People Trafficking) Bill 2012; Second Reading (6 speeches)
    The Crimes Legislation Amendment (Slavery, Slavery-like Conditions and People Trafficking) Bill 2012 amends the Criminal Code Act 1995 to insert offences of forced labour, forced marriage, organ...
• Adjournment (0 speeches)
  • Employment (1 speech)
    Access to employment with fair and equitable remuneration has always been a cornerstone of social cohesion in Australia and the quality of life that Australians enjoy, but too many women have...
  • Maritime Union of Australia Conference (1 speech)
    Tonight I call on the Minister for Workplace Relations, Mr Shorten, to desist from opening the Maritime Union of Australia Conference in Western Australia tomorrow morning. The conference is...
  • International Women's Day (1 speech)
    International Women's Day is on 8 March and this year its theme is the Gender Agenda: Gaining Momentum. To all women who work in parliament: Happy International Women's Day. There has been...
  • National Broadband Network (1 speech)
    My contribution tonight is in relation to an article which appeared in the Adelaide Advertiser in early February   . It was entitled 'NBN lifts school grades'. As part of my duties...
• Questions on Notice (0 speeches)
  • Indigenous Communities (Question No. 2551) (2 speeches)
    asked the Minister representing the Minister for Families, Community Services and Indigenous Affairs and the Minister for Disability Reform, upon notice, on 15 November 2012: (1) Is the Minister...
  • Fair Work Ombudsman (Question No. 2553) (2 speeches)
    asked the Minister representing the Minister for Employment and Workplace Relations, upon notice, on 20 November 2012: In regard to the Fair Work Ombudsman (FWO): (1) Why have unions as employers...
  • Climate Change (Question No. 2554) (2 speeches)
    asked the Minister representing the Minister for Climate Change and Energy Efficiency, upon notice on 20 November 2012: With reference to the quantitative study of current and projected Western...
  • Muckaty Land Trust (Question No. 2556) (2 speeches)
    asked the Minister for Resources and Energy, upon notice, on 20 November 2012: (1) Has the Minister for Resources and Energy, Mr Martin Ferguson, visited the Muckaty Land Trust in the Northern...
  • Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act (Question No. 2557) (2 speeches)
    asked the Minister representing the Minister for Sustainability, Environment, Water, Population and Communities, in writing, on 20 November 2012: With reference to offsets for land clearing in...
  • Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act (Question No. 2558) (2 speeches)
    asked the Minister representing the Minister for Sustainability, Environment, Water, Population and Communities, upon notice, on 20 November 2012: With reference to approvals for land clearing in...
  • Sustainability, Environment, Water, Population and Communities (Question No. 2559) (2 speeches)
    asked the Minister representing the Minister for Sustainability, Environment, Water, Population and Communities, upon notice, on 20 November 2012: (1) Can a status update be provided of the...
  • Publish What You Pay Initiative (Question No. 2560) (2 speeches)
    asked the Minister for Resources and Energy, upon notice, on 20 November 2012: With reference to the mandatory disclosure of payments for listed extractive companies and the Publish What You Pay...
  • Tertiary Education, Skills, Science and Research (Question No. 2561) (2 speeches)
    asked the Minister representing the Minister for Tertiary Education, Skills, Science and Research, upon notice, on 21 November 2012: (1) Was the $2 million allocated to The University of...
  • United Nations Conference on Sustainable Development in Brazil (Question No. 2562) (2 speeches)
    asked the Minister representing the Prime Minister, upon notice, on 21 November 2012: (1) Did the Prime Minister attend the Rio+20 United Nations Conference on Sustainable Development in Brazil...
  • Climate Change and Energy Efficiency (Question No. 2563) (2 speeches)
    asked the Minister representing the Minister for Climate Change and Energy Efficiency, upon notice, on 22 November 2012: (1) Did the Minister and/or Parliamentary Secretary for Climate Change and...
  • Sustainable Development Conference (Question No. 2565) (2 speeches)
    asked the Minister representing the Minister for Sustainability, Environment, Water, Population and Communities, in writing, on 21 November 2012: (1) Did the Minister and/​or Parliamentary...
  • Australian Wine and Brandy Corporation (Question No. 2566) (2 speeches)
    asked the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry, upon notice, on 22 November 2012: (1) Which organisations were consulted when the department undertook work relating to the amendment...
  • Families, Housing, Community Services and Indigenous Affairs (Question No. 2567) (2 speeches)
    asked the Minister representing the Minister for Families, Community Services and Indigenous Affairs and the Minister for Disability Reform, upon notice, on 22 November 2012: (1) Can the Minister...
  • Ranger Uranium Mine (Question No. 2568) (2 speeches)
    asked the Minister representing the Minister for Sustainability, Environment, Water, Population and Communities, upon notice, on 23 November 2012: With reference to the 27 September 2012 NT News...
  • Stewardship Scheme (Question No. 2569) (2 speeches)
    asked the Minister representing the Minister for Sustainability, Environment, Water, Population and Communities, upon notice, on 23 November 2012: (1) What is the status of the product...
  • Defence Materiel (Question No. 2570) (2 speeches)
    asked the Minister representing the Minister for Defence Materiel, upon notice, on 26 November 2012: With reference to the major project Tactical Information Exchange Domain JP 2089, can the...
  • Defence Materiel (Question No. 2571) (2 speeches)
    asked the Minister representing the Minister for Defence Materiel, upon notice, on 26 November 2012: With reference to the major project Active Missile Decoy SEA 1229 Phase 1, 2 and 3, can the...
  • Defence Materiel (Question No. 2572) (2 speeches)
    asked the Minister representing the Minister for Defence Materiel, upon notice, on 26 November 2012: With reference to the major project Anzac Ships SEA 1348 Phase 2, can the following details be...
  • Defence Materiel (Question No. 2573) (2 speeches)
    asked the Minister representing the Minister for Defence Materiel, upon notice, on 26 November 2012: With reference to the major project Anzac Ship Project-Underwater and Surface War Fighting...
  • Defence Materiel (Question No. 2574) (2 speeches)
    asked the Minister representing the Minister for Defence Materiel, upon notice, on 26 November 2012: With reference to the major project Guided Missile Frigate Upgrade Implementation SEA 1390...
  • Defence Materiel (Question No. 2575) (2 speeches)
    asked the Minister representing the Minister for Defence Materiel, upon notice, on 26 November 2012: With reference to the major project Standard Missile Replacement SEA 1390 Phase 4, can the...
  • Defence Materiel (Question No. 2576) (2 speeches)
    asked the Minister representing the Minister for Defence Materiel, upon notice, on 26 November 2012: With reference to the major project Nulka SEA 1397, can the following details be provided: (a)...
  • Defence Materiel (Question No. 2577) (2 speeches)
    asked the Minister representing the Minister for Defence Materiel, upon notice, on 26 November 2012: With reference to the major project Forward Looking Infra Red and Electronic Support Measures...
  • Defence Materiel (Question No. 2578) (2 speeches)
    asked the Minister representing the Minister for Defence Materiel, upon notice, on 26 November 2012: With reference to the major project Evolved SEASPARROW SEA 1428, can the following details be...
  • Defence Materiel (Question No. 2579) (2 speeches)
    asked the Minister representing the Minister for Defence Materiel, upon notice, on 26 November 2012: With reference to the major project Replacement Heavyweight Torpedo SEA 1429, can the...
  • Defence Materiel (Question No. 2580) (2 speeches)
    asked the Minister representing the Minister for Defence Materiel, upon notice, on 26 November 2012: With reference to the major project COLLINS Class Replacement Combat System SEA 1439 Phase 4A,...
  • Defence Materiel (Question No. 2581) (2 speeches)
    asked the Minister representing the Minister for Defence Materiel, upon notice, on 26 November 2012: With reference to the major project Maritime Communications Modernisation SEA 1442, can the...
  • Defence Materiel (Question No. 2582) (2 speeches)
    asked the Minister representing the Minister for Defence Materiel, upon notice, on 26 November 2012: With reference to the major project Armidale Class Patrol Boat Project SEA 1444, can the...
  • Defence Materiel (Question No. 2583) (2 speeches)
    asked the Minister representing the Minister for Defence Materiel, upon notice, on 26 November 2012: With reference to the major project ANZAC Anti-Ship Missile Defence SEA 1448, can the...
  • Defence Materiel (Question No. 2584) (2 speeches)
    asked the Minister representing the Minister for Defence Materiel, upon notice, on 26 November 2012: With reference to the major project Replacement of Afloat Support Capability SEA 1654, can the...
  • Defence Materiel (Question No. 2585) (2 speeches)
    asked the Minister representing the Minister for Defence Materiel, upon notice, on 26 November 2012: With reference to the major project Air Warfare Destroyer SEA 4000, can the following details...
  • Defence Materiel (Question No. 2586) (2 speeches)
    asked the Minister representing the Minister for Defence Materiel, upon notice, on 26 November 2012: With reference to the major project Airborne Early Warning and Control Aircraft AIR 5077, can...
  • Defence Materiel (Question No. 2587) (2 speeches)
    asked the Minister representing the Minister for Defence Materiel, upon notice, on 26 November 2012: With reference to the major project New Air Defence Command and Control Systems for Control...
  • Defence Materiel (Question No. 2588) (2 speeches)
    asked the Minister representing the Minister for Defence Materiel, upon notice, on 26 November 2012: With reference to the major project Bridging Air Combat Capability AIR 5349 Phase 2, can the...
  • Defence Materiel (Question No. 2589) (2 speeches)
    asked the Minister representing the Minister for Defence Materiel, upon notice, on 26 November 2012: With reference to the major project Bridging Air Combat Capability AIR 5349 Phase 1, can the...
  • Defence Materiel (Question No. 2590) (2 speeches)
    asked the Minister representing the Minister for Defence Materiel, upon notice, on 26 November 2012: With reference to the major project F/A-18 Hornet Upgrade AIR 5376, can the following details...
  • Defence Materiel (Question No. 2591) (2 speeches)
    asked the Minister representing the Minister for Defence Materiel, upon notice, on 26 November 2012: With reference to the major project Air to Air Refuelling Capability AIR 5402, can the...
  • Defence Materiel (Question No. 2592) (2 speeches)
    asked the Minister representing the Minister for Defence Materiel, upon notice, on 26 November 2012: With reference to the major project Project Echidna Electronic Warfare Self Protection for ADF...
  • Defence Materiel (Question No. 2593) (2 speeches)
    asked the Minister representing the Minister for Defence Materiel, upon notice, on 26 November 2012: With reference to the major project Follow-on Stand off Weapon AIR 5418, can the following...
  • Defence Materiel (Question No. 2594) (2 speeches)
    asked the Minister representing the Minister for Defence Materiel, upon notice, on 26 November 2012: With reference to the major project Joint Strike Fighter Aircraft AIR 6000, can the following...
  • Defence Materiel (Question No. 2595) (2 speeches)
    asked the Minister representing the Minister for Defence Materiel, upon notice, on 26 November 2012: With reference to the major project Air 7000: Phases 1B and 2B AIR 7000, can the following...
  • Defence Materiel (Question No. 2596) (2 speeches)
    asked the Minister representing the Minister for Defence Materiel, upon notice, on 26 November 2012: With reference to the major project C-17 Globemaster III AIR 8000, can the following details...
  • Defence Materiel (Question No. 2597) (2 speeches)
    asked the Minister representing the Minister for Defence Materiel, upon notice, on 26 November 2012: With reference to the major project Armed Reconnaissance Helicopter AIR 87, can the following...
  • Defence Materiel (Question No. 2598) (2 speeches)
    asked the Minister representing the Minister for Defence Materiel, upon notice, on 26 November 2012: With reference to the major project Multi Role Helicopter AIR 9000 Phase 2, can the following...
  • Defence Materiel (Question No. 2599) (2 speeches)
    asked the Minister representing the Minister for Defence Materiel, upon notice, on 26 November 2012: With reference to the major project MH-60R Seahawk Romeo AIR 9000 Phase 8, can the following...
  • Defence Materiel (Question No. 2600) (2 speeches)
    asked the Minister representing the Minister for Defence Materiel, upon notice, on 26 November 2012: With reference to the major project Airborne Surveillance for Land Operations JP 129, can the...
  • Defence Materiel (Question No. 2601) (2 speeches)
    asked the Minister representing the Minister for Defence Materiel, upon notice, on 26 November 2012: With reference to the major project Establishment of Special Operations Command JP 199, can...
  • Defence Materiel (Question No. 2602) (2 speeches)
    asked the Minister representing the Minister for Defence Materiel, upon notice, on 26 November 2012: With reference to the major project Next Generation Satellite Communications System JP 2008...
  • Defence Materiel (Question No. 2603) (2 speeches)
    asked the Minister representing the Minister for Defence Materiel, upon notice, on 26 November 2012: With reference to the major project Ultra High Frequency Satellite Communications JP 2008...
  • Defence Materiel (Question No. 2604) (2 speeches)
    asked the Minister representing the Minister for Defence Materiel, upon notice, on 26 November 2012: With reference to the major project ADF SATCOM Capability Terrestrial Upgrade JP 2008 Phase...
  • Defence Materiel (Question No. 2605) (2 speeches)
    asked the Minister representing the Minister for Defence Materiel, upon notice, on 26 November 2012: With reference to the major project Jindalee Operational Radar Network JP 2025, can the...