Senate debates

Wednesday, 16 October 2019

  • Committees (0 speeches)
    • Meeting (1 speech)
      I remind senators that the question may be put on any proposal at the request of any senator.
  • Bills (0 speeches)
  • Statements by Senators (0 speeches)
    • Member for Maribyrnong; Former Member for Dobell (1 speech)
      Today I explore the tale of two unions. In 2011, broadcaster Neil Mitchell asked Mr Shorten if he supported embattled former Labor MP Craig Thomson, whose reputation was in tatters. 'You've run a...
    • Economy (1 speech)
      I will just touch on Senator Abetz's contribution, and—shock, horror!—unions support union members running for parliament. That's why the Labor Party was formed. We've been doing that...
    • Environment (1 speech)
      Today I want to reflect on something very important to me. Seven years ago I stood here, in this same place, and delivered my first senator's statement. I spoke then of the devastating effects...
    • Kimberley (1 speech)
      I take this opportunity today to update the Senate on my recent travels in the Kimberley region of Western Australia, including my visit to the Djarindjin airport located 200 kilometres north of...
    • Road Safety (1 speech)
      I rise to contribute on a familiar topic: road safety. I want to put on the public record, once again, the performance—or, should I say, the lack of performance—of the federal...
    • Vocational Education and Training (1 speech)
      I rise to speak on Australia's vocational education and training sector and the need to overhaul much of the way it operates. The VET sector is complex, with 4,200 registered training...
    • Vietnamese Community in Australia: Queensland Chapter (1 speech)
      I rise to speak on the work of a special group of people in my home state of Queensland who I am honoured to call friends. The Vietnamese Community in Australia, Queensland Chapter is a local...
    • Australian Constitution (2 speeches)
      Recently, the member for Barton, my colleague in the other place, warned that time is running out if we want to achieve constitutional recognition for First Nations people in this term of...
  • Questions without Notice (0 speeches)
    • Economy (12 speeches)
      My question is to the Minister representing the Prime Minister, Senator Cormann. If the government is doing such a good job managing the economy, why has the IMF slashed Australia's economic...
  • Distinguished Visitors (0 speeches)
    • (1 speech)
      I draw the attention of honourable senators to the presence in the gallery of a parliamentary delegation from the Socialist Republic of Vietnam, led by a member of the standing committee of the...
  • Questions without Notice (0 speeches)
    • Economy (16 speeches)
      My question is to the Minister representing the Treasurer, Senator Cormann. Can the minister update the Senate on the global economic challenges outlined by the IMF in their World economic...
    • Drought (17 speeches)
      My question is to the Minister representing the Minister for Water Resources, Drought, Rural Finance, Natural Disaster and Emergency Management, Senator McKenzie. Do you accept the science and...
    • Economy (8 speeches)
      My question is to the Minister for Families and Social Services, Senator Ruston. Can the minister update the Senate on the importance of the government's economic plan to support a targeted,...
    • Hospitals (8 speeches)
      My question is to the Minister representing the Minister for Health, Senator Cash. Recently I had major surgery but had to be readmitted to hospital via the emergency department a few hours after...
    • Biosecurity (10 speeches)
      My question is to the Minister for Agriculture, Senator McKenzie. Can the minister please tell us the benefits to Australian farmers and the wider community of having a strong biosecurity system?
    • Vocational Education and Training (8 speeches)
      My question is to the Minister for Employment, Skills, Small and Family Business, Senator Cash. A constituent in my state runs a training organisation employing 16 South Australians. This...
    • Employment (24 speeches)
      My question is to the Minister for Youth and Sport, Senator Colbeck. The youth unemployment rate in the Southern Highlands and the Shoalhaven in my home state of New South Wales is 20.5 per cent....
  • Distinguished Visitors (0 speeches)
    • (1 speech)
      Before we move to the next question, I advise senators that former senator from South Australia, Mr Grant Chapman, is in the gallery this afternoon. Honourable senators: Hear, hear!
  • Questions without Notice (0 speeches)
    • Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (8 speeches)
      My question is to the minister representing the Minister for Health, Senator Cash. Will the minister update the Senate on what life-changing cancer medications will now be made available on the...
    • Employment (8 speeches)
      My question is to the Minister for Youth and Sport, Senator Colbeck. I refer to the Grattan Institute report Generation gap: ensuring a fair go for younger Australians. Can the minister confirm...
    • Coal Industry (9 speeches)
      My question is to the Minister for Resources and Northern Australia. Can the minister update the Senate on recent progress of the Adani Carmichael mine site?
  • Documents (0 speeches)
  • Questions without Notice: Take Note of Answers (0 speeches)
    • Economy (6 speeches)
      I move: That the Senate take note of the answers given by the Minister for Finance (Senator Cormann) to questions without notice asked by Senators McCarthy and Gallagher today relating to the...
    • Drought (3 speeches)
      I seek leave to give a reflection on the answers given to me by Senator McKenzie.
  • Notices (0 speeches)
    • Withdrawal (1 speech)
      On behalf of the Standing Committee on Regulations and Ordinances, I give notice of my intention that, at the giving of notices on the next day of sitting, I shall withdraw business of the Senate...
    • Postponement (1 speech)
      I remind senators that the question may be put on any proposal at the request of any senators.
  • Bills (0 speeches)
  • Motions (0 speeches)
    • Abortion (4 speeches)
      I, and also on behalf of Senator Waters, move: That the Senate— (a) notes that the New South Wales Parliament passed a Bill to decriminalise abortion on 25 September 2019; and (b)...
    • Climate Change (10 speeches)
      At the request of Senators McAllister and Pratt, I move: That the Senate— (a) notes that:   (i) climate change is a significant threat to our economy, natural environment, farming...
    • National Parks (5 speeches)
      I move: That the Senate— (a) notes that:   (i) Australia's national parks are at risk of being privatised, to the exclusion of everyday Australians, against environmental...
    • Climate Change (12 speeches)
      Before moving general business notice of motion 186, I wish to inform the chamber that Senator Bilyk will also sponsor the motion. I, and also on behalf of Senator Bilyk, move: That the...
    • Climate Change, Petroleum Industry (8 speeches)
      At the request of Senator Di Natale, I move: That the Senate— (a) acknowledges that the very first step in dealing with the climate crisis is that no new coal, oil or gas projects can be...
    • Department of Home Affairs: Paladin Contracts (2 speeches)
      At the request of Senator Watt, I move: That the Senate— (a) notes that:   (i) the Federal Government signed a contract with the company Paladin that originally cost the...
    • Newstart and Youth Allowance (4 speeches)
      At the request of Senator Di Natale and Senator Dodson, I move: That the Senate— (a) notes that it is Anti-Poverty Week from 13 to 19 October 2019, and that 17 October 2019 is the United...
    • Newstart (4 speeches)
      I, and also on behalf of Senator Marielle Smith, move: That the Senate— (a) acknowledges that this is Anti-Poverty Week 2019; (b) recognises that many single parent families are living in...
    • Water Infrastructure (10 speeches)
      I move: That the Senate— (a) notes that:   (i) the New South Wales Government plans to water down environmental rules to fast-track approvals for new dams and pipelines,...
  • Business (0 speeches)
    • Consideration of Legislation (1 speech)
      Madam Deputy President, I seek leave to include a late notice of motion restoring a bill to the Notice Paper. Leave granted. I'm sorry, Senator Duniam, I cleared it with your colleague Senator...
  • Motions (0 speeches)
    • Violence Against Women (4 speeches)
      I move: That the Senate— (a) notes that: (i) since Senator Waters' last motion on this issue in the Senate, there have been a further 9 women killed by violence in Australia, taking the...
    • Climate Change (4 speeches)
      I move: That the Senate— (a) notes that: (i) 61 local councils, representing almost 6 million Australians, have declared a climate emergency, and (ii) these local councils represent a wide...
    • National Dyslexia Awareness Month (5 speeches)
      I move: That the Senate— (a) recognises that dyslexia, dyscalculia and dysgraphia are learning disabilities that are experienced by one in 10 Australians; (b) observes that October is...
  • First Speech (0 speeches)
    • (2 speeches)
      I thank the Deputy President for stepping in for me during my absence today. Pursuant to order, I call on Senator Henderson to make her first speech. I ask honourable senators that the usual...
  • Parliamentary Representation (0 speeches)
    • Valedictory (8 speeches)
      Pursuant to order, the Senate will now move to valedictory statements.
  • Motions (0 speeches)
    • Science (7 speeches)
      I move: The Senate notes that: (a) valid scientific data proving cause-and-effect is vital as the only credible justification for policies claimed to be based on science; (b) the following are...
  • Bills (0 speeches)
  • Matters of Public Importance (0 speeches)
    • Economy (17 speeches)
      I inform the Senate that, at 8.30 am today, two proposals were received in accordance with standing order 75. The question of which proposal would be submitted to the Senate was determined by...
  • Business (0 speeches)
    • Days and Hours of Meeting (1 speech)
      I seek leave to give notice of a motion concerning the hours of meeting on Remembrance Day. Leave granted. I lodge the motion.
  • Matters of Public Importance (0 speeches)
    • Economy (1 speech)
      I must say from the outset that I often look across the chamber and think to myself, 'It must be very difficult being in their shoes.' On one hand, they need to come to this place every day and...
  • Adjournment (0 speeches)
    • Sutton, Marie Elizabeth (1 speech)
      Sometimes you're lucky to meet someone who changes your life for the better, whose kindness, generosity and love puts a new spin on everything. That person for me was Marie Sutton—always a...
    • Anti-Poverty Week (1 speech)
      There are more than 131,000 South Australians living below the poverty line and more than 22,000 of them are children. This week is Anti-Poverty Week—a time when we should all turn our...
    • Climate Change (1 speech)
      Prime Minister Scott Morrison and his government are doing extraordinary damage to Australia and are threatening our future every single day. A year ago I said that it was more and more obvious...
    • GetUp! (1 speech)
      GetUp!'s attempt to rehabilitate its self-besmirched reputation at the National Press Club today failed—failed badly. Why? Because the facts speak so much better than its empty rhetoric....
    • Palliative Care Tasmania, Pancreatic Cancer (1 speech)
      Just before I begin tonight, I'd like to acknowledge in this gallery, at this late hour of 20 to eight, Colleen Johnson and Sharon King from Palliative Care Tasmania. They've been meeting with me...
    • Health (1 speech)
      Mid this year the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare released its report on the burden of disease in Australia for the calendar year 2015. This report provided a sobering assessment of...
    • Launceston Chamber of Commerce (1 speech)
      I am delighted to rise today to acknowledge the 170th anniversary of the Launceston Chamber of Commerce. Located just a block from my electorate office, the Launceston chamber is the oldest...
    • Anti-Poverty Week, Indigenous Australians (1 speech)
      Anybody who has been paying attention in the Senate this week can't fail to be aware that it is Anti-poverty Week. I've been taking every opportunity I can to not only highlight the need to raise...