Senate debates

Tuesday, 1 September 2020

  • Committees (0 speeches)
    • Meeting (1 speech)
      I remind senators that the question may be put on any proposal at the request of any senator. There being none, Senator Cormann, you were seeking the call?
  • Statements (0 speeches)
    • Senate Procedure (2 speeches)
      by leave—Pairing arrangements in this chamber are, of course, informal arrangements. They are very important arrangements to ensure that the decisions in this chamber properly reflect the...
  • Parliamentary Office Holders (0 speeches)
    • Temporary Chairs of Committees (1 speech)
      Pursuant to standing order 12, I lay on the table a warrant nominating Senator O'Neill as an additional Temporary Chair of Committees when the Deputy President and Chair of Committees is absent.
  • Bills (0 speeches)
  • Questions without Notice (0 speeches)
    • Aged Care (12 speeches)
      My question is to the
    • Vocational Education and Training (8 speeches)
      My question is to the Minister for Employment, Skills, Small and Family Business, Senator Cash. Can the minister please update the Senate on how the Morrison government's skills reform agenda has...
    • Aged Care (27 speeches)
      My question is to the Minister for Aged Care and Senior Australians, Senator Colbeck. Yesterday the minister was not able to advise the Senate how many older Australians had died in aged care...
    • Environmental Legislation (11 speeches)
      My question is to Senator Cormann, the Minister representing the Prime Minister. Senator Cormann, isn't it true that, without Commonwealth environmental protections, the Franklin River would have...
    • Australian Bushfires (8 speeches)
      My question is to the Minister representing the minister for emergency management, Senator Ruston. In the past week we have had two reports flagging problems with aerial firefighting...
    • COVID-19: Aged Care (18 speeches)
      My question is to the Minister for Aged Care and Senior Australians, Senator Colbeck. In its response to the final report on the Newmarch House COVID-19 outbreak, the Liberal New South Wales...
    • COVID-19: Community Services (8 speeches)
      My question is to the Minister for Families and Social Services, Minister Ruston. Can the minister advise the Senate as to the immediate financial services that are available for Australians who...
    • COVID-19: Aged Care (29 speeches)
      [by video link] My question is to the Minister for Aged Care and Senior Australians, Senator Colbeck. Does the minister agree with the counsel assisting the aged care royal commission, Mr Peter...
  • Motions (0 speeches)
  • Questions without Notice: Take Note of Answers (0 speeches)
    • Aged Care (12 speeches)
      I move: That the Senate take note of the answers given by the Minister for Aged Care and Senior Australians (Senator Colbeck) to questions without notice asked by Opposition senators today...
    • Environment (1 speech)
      I move: That the Senate take note of the answer given by the Minister representing the Prime Minister (Senator Cormann) to a question without notice asked by Senator Hanson-Young today relating...
  • Notices (0 speeches)
    • Presentation (1 speech)
      On behalf of Senator Fierravanti-Wells, the chair of the Senate Standing Committee for the Scrutiny of Delegated Legislation, I give notice of her intention at the giving of notices on the next...
    • Postponement (1 speech)
      I remind senators that the question may be put at the request of any senator.
    • Presentation (1 speech)
      by leave—I give notice that on the next day of sitting I shall move: That the Senate— (a) notes that:   (i) the interim report of the Royal Commission into National Natural...
  • Committees (0 speeches)
    • Education and Employment Legislation Committee; Reference (2 speeches)
      I move: That the provisions of the Higher Education Support Amendment (Job-Ready Graduates and Supporting Regional and Remote Students) Bill 2020 be referred to the Education and Employment...
    • Public Works Committee; Reference (1 speech)
      At the request of Senator Seselja, I move: That, in accordance with the provisions of the Public Works Committee Act 1969, the following proposed work be referred to the Parliamentary Standing...
  • Business (0 speeches)
    • Rearrangement (1 speech)
      At the request of Senator Ruston, I move: That— (a) if the notice of motion proposing the disallowance of the Industry Research and Development (Water for Fodder Program) Instrument 2019...
    • Days and Hours of Meeting (1 speech)
      At the request of Senator Ruston, I move: That the hours of meeting for Tuesday, 6 October 2020 be from midday to 6.30 pm and 8.30 pm to adjournment, and for Thursday, 8 October 2020 be from 9.30...
  • Motions (0 speeches)
    • Aged Care (4 speeches)
      I move: That the Senate— (a) acknowledges that:   (i) the Federal Government is entirely responsible for aged care funding and regulation,   (ii) the many weaknesses in...
  • Committees (0 speeches)
    • Northern Australia Committee; Reporting Date (1 speech)
      At the request of Senators Chisholm, Dean Smith and Siewert, I move: That the time for the presentation of the report of the Joint Standing Committee on Northern Australia on its inquiry into the...
  • Motions (0 speeches)
    • Technical and Further Education (7 speeches)
      At the request of Senator Polley and Senator O'Neill, I move: That the Senate— (a) notes that:   (i) the Technical and Further Education (TAFE) system in Australia derives $92.5...
    • Special Air Services Regiment (1 speech)
      I move: That the Senate— (a) acknowledges all those who paid the ultimate sacrifice while serving in the Australian Army's elite Special Air Service Regiment (SASR) since its formation on...
    • Gas Industry (5 speeches)
      At the request of Senator Steele-John, I move: That the Senate opposes the development of any new gas fields in Australia.
    • COVID-19: Temporary Visa Holders (8 speeches)
      I move: That the Senate— (a) notes that:   (i) since Australia's borders closed on 20 March 2020 many thousands of temporary visa holders have been separated from their families,...
    • Renewable Energy (4 speeches)
      At the request of Senator Rice, I move: That the Senate— (a) notes that:   (i) transport accounts for almost 20% of Australia's carbon emissions,   (ii) preliminary...
    • Forestry Industry (5 speeches)
      Before moving motion No. 767, I would like to advise that Senators Brockman, Askew, Van, Chandler, McKenzie, Canavan, McMahon, Davey and McDonald would like to have their names added to this...
    • Drought (12 speeches)
      I, and also on behalf of Senators McKenzie, Canavan and McMahon, move: That the Senate— (a) notes:   (i) that many drought affected communities in the eastern states have recently...
  • Matters of Public Importance (0 speeches)
    • Aged Care (18 speeches)
      I inform the Senate that, at 8.30 am today, 18 proposals were received in accordance with standing order 75. The question on which proposal would be submitted to the Senate was determined by lot....
  • Committees (0 speeches)
  • Bills (0 speeches)
  • Regulations and Determinations (0 speeches)
  • Committees (0 speeches)
  • Bills (0 speeches)
  • Adjournment (0 speeches)
    • Australian Capital Territory Government (1 speech)
      I don't read enough fiction, so I'm always pleased when the member for Fenner puts his pen to paper, as I was recently when I read a piece that he wrote in none other than CityNews here in...
    • COVID-19: Aged Care Workers (1 speech)
      Over the last fortnight, we have focused very much on this government's appalling record in relation to aged care, a record that extends the entire seven years that it has been in government. We...
    • Christchurch: Attacks (1 speech)
      On 15 March last year the lives of Muslims across the world changed forever. Our worst fears were realised as an Australian man walked into two mosques and massacred dozens of Muslims at Friday...
    • COVID-19: State and Territory Border Closures (1 speech)
      Protecting the health of the Australian community is our No. 1 priority as a government. There can be no doubt that COVID-19 is with us for the foreseeable future. When outbreaks occur, as they...
    • Volunteers (1 speech)
      Anita has been a volunteer at Perth Festival since 2012. In her years as a volunteer she's helped stuff envelopes, cleared space for an aerial performance and done pretty much everything in...
    • Smith, Ms Ann Marie (1 speech)
      The wilful neglect, suffering and tragic death of South Australian Ann Marie Smith shocked us all. Whilst her former carer has now been charged with manslaughter, so many questions remain...
    • Victoria: COVID-19 (1 speech)
      I rise to raise again in the Senate my deep concerns about the extreme distress and damage which is being inflicted on Victorians during this second wave of emergency restrictions. Today, with 70...
    • Pensions and Benefits (1 speech)
      I rise this evening to talk about the debacle that is the cashless debit card exemption process. Income management has been a racist, discriminatory tool that the government and the opposition...
    • Australian Made Logo (1 speech)
      I rise tonight to speak in relation to the age-old maxim 'if it ain't broke, don't fix it' and why that is still relevant today. In 2017 the Turnbull government committed to developing a stronger...
    • Western Australia: Media (1 speech)
      Yes, go the kangaroo! During the time that parliament was supposed to be sitting and we were on the break, I took the opportunity to travel to some of the regions in Western Australia that rarely...
    • Prior, Professor Margot, AO (1 speech)
      I rise to pay tribute to Professor Margot Prior, who, sadly, passed away on 24 August. Professor Prior was a trailblazing teacher, researcher and clinician and is remembered for her warmth,...
    • Queensland Government (1 speech)
      Labor governments have ruled Queensland for 25 of the last 30 years—that is, 25 years of failing Queensland. In the time that I have before me, I am going to go through the top 10 current...
    • Northern Territory: Agriculture Industry (1 speech)
      I rise to speak about the crisis facing Northern Territory mango farmers as we face a critical crunch point in securing enough workers for the imminent mango season. The mango season begins in...
    • Chronic Pain Syndrome (1 speech)
      Tonight I rise to speak about something that affects many of us, but these effects are often felt silently. Pain is not just physical; it can also affect our emotional and mental wellbeing,...
    • Manufacturing (1 speech)
      Now more than ever, Australia needs a national plan for Australian manufacturing. COVID-19 has highlighted the importance of a strong manufacturing sector. The pandemic has, sadly, demonstrated...
    • Healy, Mrs June Marie, OAM (1 speech)
      I rise today in memory of a strong advocate and a brilliant organiser for veterans and war widows, the aged and women in the Army, June Marie Healy OAM, who passed away in August this year. This...
    • COVID-19: Employment (1 speech)
      This has been a difficult year full of sacrifice for Australians, and it is critical that we get the recovery right. So we need to see a jobs plan from this government—a plan for good,...
    • Paramedics (1 speech)
      Honourable senators would know of the extremely high regard in which I hold paramedics. They witness trauma and tragedy every day of their working lives. In these times, when our nation is...
    • China (1 speech)
      Following my prescient warnings in early 2018 regarding the Chinese communist regime's debt-trap diplomacy activities, especially in the Pacific, I was pleased that an international debate...
    • COVID-19: Tasmania (1 speech)
      The north-west of Tasmania is my home. It is a beautiful place, a place of great potential, full of good people making a go of life in regional Australia. COVID-19 hit them hard, particularly the...
    • Tasmania: Environment (1 speech, 1 comment)
      [by video link] Mark Twain once said, famously: A mine is a hole in the ground with a liar on top. Madam Acting Deputy President Walsh, I'm about to tell you a story, and you can decide whether...
    • Suncorp-Metway (1 speech)
      In my 10 minutes this evening, I rise with some disappointment to speak about a policy decision taken by one of Queensland's biggest companies, Suncorp-Metway. On 21 August 2020, Suncorp-Metway...
    • Renewable Energy (1 speech)
      [by video link] As a servant of the people of Queensland and Australia, I note that the Moran report cannot be sensibly refuted because it presents the government's own costs from budget programs...
    • COVID-19: State and Territory Border Closures (1 speech)
      I rise to let the chamber know that the Isolated Children's Parents Association and the Australian Boarding Schools Association have commenced a social media campaign hashtag...
    • Tertiary Education (1 speech)
      Tonight I'd like to give six reasons why the Liberals' uni cuts and fee hikes are absolute trash and should go straight in the bin. They're absolute trash and they will hurt unis and students,...
    • South Australia: Infrastructure (1 speech)
      I rise tonight to speak about a vision for South Australia, a state that is currently being inhibited by a perfunctory administration. South Australia is a great place to work and live. South...
    • Western Australia: Community Events (1 speech)
      Tonight I rise to report on my recent travels through the Kimberley, Pilbara and parts of the Mid West region in my home state. I'm pleased that Senator Smith is here this evening, because I know...
    • Lung Cancer, JobKeeper Payment (1 speech)
      As many in this place are aware, I've been a long-time advocate for patients with cancers with low survival rates. It frustrates me that, while cancer survival generally continues to improve,...
    • Royal Military College, Duntroon (1 speech)
      In the same week that the Skype scandal broke around the Australian Defence Force Academy, next door, at the Royal Military College, Duntroon, a cadet hanged himself. He had asked for help from...