Senate debates

Wednesday, 15 February 2017

  • Committees (0 speeches)
    • Meeting (1 speech)
      Does any senator wish to have the question put on any of those proposals? There being none, we will proceed.
  • Statement by the President (0 speeches)
    • Electronic devices and photography in the chamber (1 speech)
      Senators, after question time on Monday last, Senator Bernardi asked whether I had made a ruling in relation to photographs being taken by senators in the chamber. I indicated that I had not....
  • Committees (0 speeches)
  • Bills (0 speeches)
  • Statements by Senators (0 speeches)
    • Human Rights (1 speech)
      In late January this year, as a member of the Parliamentary Joint Committee on Human Rights, I was privileged to participate in the Commonwealth Parliamentary Conference on the Rule of Law and...
    • Turnbull Government (1 speech)
      I rise this afternoon to speak about Mr Turnbull's performance last week and his poor treatment of ageing and aged care. I know the Liberals love their theatrics, but I cannot imagine my...
    • Marine Pollution (3 speeches)
      I am a keen birdwatcher. I even have a list for Parliament House, although it is barely into double figures. But there is a good spot for watching birds, and that is Malabar Headland. It is one...
    • Ikin, Ms Noeline (3 speeches)
      I stand today to speak not just for myself but for my colleagues: Senator McGrath, who sends an apology for not being in the chamber; Senator Macdonald; the Minister for Resources and Northern...
    • Parliamentary Standing Committee on Public Works (1 speech)
      I rise in senators' statements to make a contribution about the work of the Public Works Committee, the longest standing committee of the parliament. It looks at the purpose of proposed work, the...
    • Queensland Sugar Industry (1 speech)
      I want to open by saying that I am so thrilled with the input that One Nation had into the compulsory land acquisition in Queensland, with the farmers there, and to see that it has been stopped....
    • Member for Melbourne Ports (8 speeches)
      I rise to place on the record my concerns about a pattern of activity around the office of the Member for Melbourne Ports, Michael Danby. This involves claims spanning a decade that he has housed...
    • Climate Change (1 speech)
      I rise today to speak about climate change, because I am angry. I am angry about the way that this government persists in treating climate change like a joke. Images of the Treasurer laughing as...
  • Ministerial Arrangements (0 speeches)
    • (1 speech)
      ) ( ): I advise the Senate that Senator Payne will be absent from question time today and tomorrow on ministerial business. In Senator Payne's absence, I will represent the Minister for Defence,...
  • Questions without Notice (0 speeches)
    • Western Australian State Election (19 speeches)
      My question is to the Minister representing the Deputy Prime Minister, Senator Canavan. Does the minister agree with the Deputy Prime Minister, who, when asked about the Western Australian...
    • Education (13 speeches)
      It is a very hard act to follow! My question is to the Minister for Education and Training, Senator Birmingham. Can the minister update the Senate on what the latest report on government services...
    • Pensions and Benefits (22 speeches)
      The () (): My question is to the Minister representing the Prime Minister, Senator Brandis. Has the Liberal Party explained to its preferred partner, One Nation, that its omnibus bill will see...
    • Adani Group (12 speeches)
      My question is to the Minister for Resources and Northern Australia, Minister Canavan, our new best friend from the Nationals. I refer to reports today that Adani, the huge Indian multinational...
    • Innovation and Science (8 speeches)
      My question is to the
    • Vocational Education and Training (8 speeches)
      My question is to the Minister for Education and Training, Senator Birmingham. Minister, in the final sitting week of 2016 the VET Student Loans Bill passed the Senate. At that time the Nick...
    • Regional Development (11 speeches)
      My question is to the Minister for Regional Development, Senator Nash. Former Prime Minister Keating's inspired action to move ASIC to Gippsland in the 1990s now supports 230 local jobs. The...
    • Budget (15 speeches)
      My question is to the Minister for Finance. Due to the decisions taken by the adults in this place, every Australian child has a $90,000—
    • Workplace Relations (8 speeches)
      My question is to the Minister for Employment, Senator Cash. I refer to recent reports revealing that Domino's franchisees have engaged in widespread underpayment of workers and, in some cases,...
    • Arts (8 speeches)
      My question is to the Minister for Communications and Minister for the Arts, Senator Fifield. Can the minister please update the Senate on what the Turnbull government is doing to create...
    • Domestic and Family Violence (11 speeches)
      My question is to the Minister for Women, Senator Cash. I refer to Senator Hanson, who, in her first speech, said that the Family Court system is leading to men murdering women out of—and I...
    • Food Labelling (9 speeches)
      My question is to Senator Canavan, the Minister for Resources and Northern Australia representing the Minister for Agriculture and Water Resources. Can the minister update the Senate on what the...
  • Business (0 speeches)
    • Days and Hours of Meeting (7 speeches)
      by leave—I move: That— (1) The Building and Construction Industry (Improving Productivity) Amendment Bill 2017 have precedence over all government business until determined. (2) If by...
  • Questions without Notice: Take Note of Answers (0 speeches)
    • Pensions and Benefits (11 speeches)
      I move: That the Senate take note of the answer given by the Attorney-General (Senator Brandis) to a question without notice asked by Senator Brown today relating to the Social Services...
  • Notices (0 speeches)
    • Withdrawal (4 speeches)
      On behalf of the Regulations and Ordinances Committee, I give notice of my intention at the giving of notices on the next sitting day to withdraw business of the Senate notice of motion No. 1 and...
  • Motions (0 speeches)
    • Transvaginal Mesh Implants (1 speech)
      I, and also on behalf of Senators Leyonhjelm, Lambie and Griff, move: That the following matter be referred to the Community Affairs References Committee for inquiry and report by 30 November...
    • Fall of Singapore 75th Anniversary (1 speech)
      I, and also on behalf of Senator McGrath, move: That the Senate— (a) notes that 15 February 2017 marks the 75th anniversary of the fall of Singapore; (b) acknowledges the significant...
    • 2/10th Field Regiment (1 speech)
      I move: That the Senate— (a) notes that:   (i) the 2/10th Field Regiment was an artillery regiment within the 8th Division 2nd Australian Imperial Force, composed almost entirely...
    • Tasmania: Defence Research (8 speeches)
      I, and on behalf of Senators Bilyk, Duniam, Polley, Urquhart, Abetz, Bushby and Singh, move: That the Senate— (a) acknowledges Tasmania has the defence knowledge, capabilities and...
    • Roads: WestConnex (4 speeches)
      I seek leave to amend general business notice of motion No. 221 standing in my name for today, relating to the WestConnex project. I move the motion as amended: That the Senate— (a) notes...
    • Redfern Statement (4 speeches)
      I move: That the Senate— (a) notes the Redfern Statement Parliamentary Event that took place in the Great Hall on 14 February 2017; (b) acknowledges the Redfern Statement, which was...
    • Schools Funding (4 speeches)
      I seek leave to amend general business notice of motion No. 2 23 standing in my name. I move the motion as amended: That the Senate— (a) notes that the Turnbull Government's plan to reduce...
  • Matters of Public Importance (0 speeches)
    • Australia Post (10 speeches)
      I inform the Senate that at 8.30 am today Senators Gallagher, Hanson and Siewert each submitted a letter in accordance with standing order 75 proposing a matter of public importance. The question...
  • Committees (0 speeches)
  • Bills (0 speeches)
  • Statements (0 speeches)
    • Nixon, Harriet (1 speech)
      by leave—I thank the Senate for its indulgence in giving me this period of time to speak. We have had a change of arrangements in the Senate today, and I do appreciate the Senate's...
  • Bills (0 speeches)