Senate debates

Thursday, 2 December 2021

• Statement by the President (0 speeches)
  • Morrison, Ms Adrienne (1 speech)
    As some of you may be aware, today marks the last occasion on which Senate attendant Adrienne Morrison will assist us in the chamber. Adrienne joined the Senate department as a Senate attendant...
• Bills (0 speeches)
  • National Health Amendment (Enhancing the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme) Bill 2021; Second Reading (4 speeches)
    Labor will be supporting the National Health Amendment (Enhancing the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme) Bill 2021. This bill flows from the conclusion of the latest round of strategic agreements...
  • National Health Amendment (Enhancing the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme) Bill 2021; In Committee (34 speeches)
    I have a series of questions for the minister. Again, I'm supportive of the bill. I'm supportive of the stability and assurance that the bill provides to people who are beneficiaries of the PBS...
  • National Health Amendment (Enhancing the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme) Bill 2021; Third Reading (1 speech)
    I move: That this bill be now read a third time. Question agreed to. Bill read a third time.
  • Electoral Legislation Amendment (Annual Disclosure Equality) Bill 2021; First Reading (1 speech)
    I move: That this bill may proceed without formalities and be now read a first time. Question agreed to. Bill read a first time.
  • Electoral Legislation Amendment (Annual Disclosure Equality) Bill 2021; Second Reading (7 speeches)
    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 as follows— Today I introduce the...
  • Electoral Legislation Amendment (Annual Disclosure Equality) Bill 2021; In Committee (7 speeches)
    I move amendment (1) on sheet 1527: (1) Schedule 1, page 19 (after line 26), at the end of the Schedule, add: Part 4 — Disclosure threshold 53 Subsection 287(1) (definition of disclosure...
• Notices (0 speeches)
  • Withdrawal (1 speech)
    Pursuant to notice given yesterday, on behalf of the Standing Committee for the Scrutiny of Delegated Legislation, I withdraw business of the Senate notice of motion No. 4, standing in my name,...
• Committees (0 speeches)
  • Selection of Bills Committee; Report (39 speeches)
    I present the 14th report of 2021 of the Selection of Bills Committee and seek leave to have the report incorporated in Hansard. Leave granted. The report read as follows— SELECTION OF...
• Business (0 speeches)
  • Rearrangement (1 speech)
    I move: That— (a) government business orders of the day as shown on the Order of Business be considered from 12.15 pm; (b) government business then be called on and considered till not...
• Committees (0 speeches)
  • Senate Procedure Committee; Reporting Date (1 speech)
    I remind senators that the question may be put on any proposal at the request of any senator.
• Business (0 speeches)
  • Leave Of Absence (1 speech)
    by leave—I move: That leave of absence be granted to Senator Sheldon for 2 December for personal reasons. Question agreed to.
• Notices (0 speeches)
  • Postponement (1 speech)
    I seek leave to postpone notice of motion No. 1, standing in my name for today, relating to a matter of privilege, until the first day of sitting next year. Leave granted. I seek leave to...
  • Withdrawal (1 speech)
    I withdraw business of the Senate motion No. 2, standing in my name for today, which has been overtaken by events.
• Motions (0 speeches)
  • Covid-19 (4 speeches)
    I, and also on behalf of Senator Wong, move: That the Senate— (a) notes with concern reports of threats of violence towards health workers, health officials, premiers and elected officials...
• Regulations and Determinations (0 speeches)
  • Health Insurance (Extended Medicare Safety Net) Amendment (Indexation) Determination 2021 (1 speech)
    On behalf of Senator Colbeck, I move: That, in accordance with subsection 10B(2) of the Health Insurance Act 1973, the Senate approves the Health Insurance (Extended Medicare Safety Net)...
• Business (0 speeches)
  • Senate Standing Orders (5 speeches)
    I ask that government business notice of motion No. 3, proposing amendments to the standing orders, be taken as formal.
• Documents (0 speeches)
  • Conservation Planning Decisions; Order for the Production of Documents (2 speeches)
    On behalf of Senator Whish-Wilson I move: That there be laid on the table by the Minister representing the Minister for the Environment, by no later than 8 February 2022, all submissions made in...
  • National Partnership Agreement on Stronger Futures in the Northern Territory; Order for the Production of Documents (8 speeches)
    I move: That— (a) there be laid on the table by the Minister representing the Minister for Indigenous Australians, by no later than 3.30 pm on Thursday, 9 December 2021, the most recent...
• Bills (0 speeches)
  • Health Insurance Amendment (Enhancing the Bonded Medical Program and Other Measures) Bill 2021; Second Reading (2 speeches)
    This program is designed to address the doctor shortage across regional, rural and remote areas—a shortage that has just grown worse under the Morrison government. The purpose of the Health...
  • Health Insurance Amendment (Enhancing the Bonded Medical Program and Other Measures) Bill 2021; Third Reading (2 speeches)
    As no amendments to the bill have been circulated, I shall call the minister to move the third reading unless any senator requires that the bill be considered in Committee of the Whole.
  • Electoral Legislation Amendment (Assurance of Senate Counting) Bill 2021; First Reading (1 speech)
    I move: That this bill may proceed without formalities and be now read a first time. Question agreed to. Bill read a first time.
  • Electoral Legislation Amendment (Assurance of Senate Counting) Bill 2021; Second Reading (5 speeches)
    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 as follows— Today I introduce the...
  • Electoral Legislation Amendment (Assurance of Senate Counting) Bill 2021; Third Reading (2 speeches)
    As no amendments to the bill have been circulated, I shall call the minister to move the third reading, unless any senator requires that the bill be considered in Committee of the Whole.
  • Electoral Legislation Amendment (Contingency Measures) Bill 2021; First Reading (1 speech)
    I move: That this bill may proceed without formalities and be now read a first time. Question agreed to. Bill read a first time.
  • Electoral Legislation Amendment (Contingency Measures) Bill 2021; Second Reading (4 speeches)
    I table a revised explanatory memorandum relating to the bill and I move: That the bill be now read a second time. I seek leave to have the second reading speech incorporated in Hansard. Leave...
  • Electoral Legislation Amendment (Contingency Measures) Bill 2021; Third Reading (2 speeches)
    As no amendments to the bill have been circulated, I shall call the minister to move the third reading unless any senator requires that the bill be considered in Committee of the Whole.
  • Veterans' Affairs Legislation Amendment (Exempting Disability Payments from Income Testing and Other Measures) Bill 2021; First Reading (1 speech)
    I move: That this bill may proceed without formalities and be now read a first time. Question agreed to. Bill read a first time.
  • Veterans' Affairs Legislation Amendment (Exempting Disability Payments from Income Testing and Other Measures) Bill 2021; Second Reading (4 speeches)
    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 as follows— The Government's...
  • Veterans' Affairs Legislation Amendment (Exempting Disability Payments from Income Testing and Other Measures) Bill 2021; Third Reading (2 speeches)
    No amendments to the bill have been circulated. Does any senator require a committee stage? If not, I call the minister to move the third reading.
  • Electoral Legislation Amendment (Annual Disclosure Equality) Bill 2021; In Committee (4 speeches)
    I remind the chamber that the amendments before the chamber are to have disclosure around when people pay above a reasonable price for having a meal with a politician, be they a prime minister, a...
  • Electoral Legislation Amendment (Annual Disclosure Equality) Bill 2021; Third Reading (1 speech)
    I move: That this bill be now read a third time. Question agreed to. Bill read a third time.
• Business (0 speeches)
  • Leave Of Absence (1 speech)
    by leave—I move: That leave of absence be granted to Senator Thorpe for 2 December for personal reasons. Question agreed to.
• Bills (0 speeches)
  • Territories Stolen Generations Redress Scheme (Consequential Amendments) Bill 2021, Territories Stolen Generations Redress Scheme (Facilitation) Bill 2021; Second Reading (6 speeches)
    I rise to speak in support of this bill, the Territories Stolen Generations Redress Scheme (Consequential Amendments) Bill 2021, and the related bill, the Territories Stolen Generations Redress...
  • Territories Stolen Generations Redress Scheme (Consequential Amendments) Bill 2021, Territories Stolen Generations Redress Scheme (Facilitation) Bill 2021; Third Reading (1 speech)
    I move: That these bills be now read a third time. Question agreed to. Bills read a third time.
  • Corporations Amendment (Meetings and Documents) Bill 2021; First Reading (1 speech)
    I move: That this bill may proceed without formalities and be now read a first time. Question agreed to. Bill read a first time.
  • Corporations Amendment (Meetings and Documents) Bill 2021; Second Reading (4 speeches)
    I table a revised explanatory memorandum relating to the bill, 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...
• Statements (0 speeches)
  • Independent Review Into Commonwealth Parliamentary Workplaces (1 speech)
    One in three—that is the shocking number that headlines the Jenkins report on the workplaces of this parliament. One in three are sexually harassed. That is 40 per cent of women, and one in...
  • Violence Against Women (1 speech)
    I rise today to remember and honour the 40 women who have been killed by violence in Australia in 2021. It is 40 too many and we owe it to them to work tirelessly to eliminate violence against...
  • South Australia: Health (1 speech)
    The South Australian health system is in crisis. Lives are being put at risk by the Marshall Liberal government and their neglect of the health system. We've heard deeply-alarming reports from...
  • Manufacturing (1 speech)
    ) ( ): I rise today to celebrate the incredible investment the Morrison government is making in homegrown Australian manufacturing. I come from a very proud manufacturing state. One of the most...
  • Foreign Aid (1 speech)
    Many Australians agree that we have an obligation to support less-developed countries. Some see this as a moral duty to help those less fortunate than ourselves. Others see it as a foreign policy...
  • Local Council Elections: Byron Shire Council (1 speech)
    Dailan Pugh is a giant of Australian conservation and of the arts. He is the son of Clifton Pugh, the artist whose defining portrait of Gough Whitlam hangs in the gallery upstairs. Dailan was a...
  • Electoral Legislation Amendment (Political Campaigners) Bill 2021 (1 speech)
    I've got news for the charities, churches and advocates out there who are worried about complying with the donations rules rushed through yesterday. I don't want you to worry about these...
  • COVID-19: Rapid Antigen Testing (1 speech)
    We are constantly told that government responses to the coronavirus are guided by the science. Well, if we are adopting the science, where are our rapid tests? Australia has been way behind the...
  • Aged Care (1 speech)
    There's a saying: 'Ageing is a privilege.' But, for those who participated in or have read the report of the aged care royal commission, it would be reasonable to think that, when you're in aged...
  • Dementia-Friendly Communities (1 speech)
    [by video link] Dementia is one of the greatest health challenges facing Australia. With 472,000 Australians living with dementia and 1.6 million Australians involved in their care, many...
  • Immigration Detention (1 speech)
    It is now nearly nine years since thousands of people were exiled to either Manus Island or Nauru just because they reached out a hand to our country for help and asked to seek asylum in our...
  • Valedictory (1 speech)
    I'd like to end the year with a little bit of lightness and joy. As the year draws to a close and the 2021 sitting period comes to an end, I want to wish everyone a very merry Christmas. For the...
  • Australian Broadcasting Corporation (1 speech)
    [by video link] Our ABC is a critical national institution that has provided free, unbiased and quality news and entertainment broadcasting for nearly 100 years. Unfortunately, our Morrison...
  • Australian Parliament: Senate (17 speeches)
    [by video link] I would just like to put on the record my thoughts about being a senator. I think that I'm very privileged to actually have this position and I'm very grateful to the people of...
• Questions without Notice (0 speeches)
  • Morrison Government (10 speeches)
    My question is to Senator Birmingham, the Minister Representing the Prime Minister. Two of Mr Morrison's closest friends, Scott Briggs and David Gazard, were handpicked by the Morrison government...
  • Covid-19 (8 speeches)
    My question is to Senator Birmingham, the Minister Representing the Prime Minister. Can the minister update the Senate on the achievements of Australians throughout 2021 and how this...
  • Prime Minister (12 speeches)
    My question is to the Minister representing the Prime Minister, Senator Birmingham. Mr Morrison claimed that Liberal Party ads aired during the national bushfire emergency were simply...
  • Climate Change, Gas Industry (12 speeches)
    My question is to the Minister representing the Minister for Resources and Water, Minister Ruston. The International Energy Agency said that we cannot open up even one more new coal, oil or gas...
  • Aukus (8 speeches)
    My question is to the Minister for Foreign Affairs and relates to the implementation of the AUKUS agreement. Isn't it the case that, to implement transfers of nuclear material to fuel any...
  • Regional Australia (7 speeches)
    My question is to the Minister representing the Deputy Prime Minister, Senator McKenzie. Can the minister update the Senate on how the Liberals and the Nationals in government are delivering for...
  • Members Of Parliament: Conduct, Members Of Parliament: Staff (20 speeches)
    My question is for the Minister representing the Prime Minister, Senator Birmingham. It was revealed publicly today that when Liberal MP Bridget Archer told Mr Morrison's office that she was...
  • International Day of People with Disability (8 speeches)
    My question is to the Minister for Families and Social Services, Senator Ruston. With tomorrow being International Day of People with Disability, how is the Liberal and Nationals government...
  • COVID-19: Vaccination (8 speeches)
    My question is to the Minister representing the Minister for Health, Senator Colbeck. Senator Gerard Rennick has said of the Pfizer vaccine: 'When are these snake-oil salesmen going to be called...
  • Aged Care (8 speeches)
    My question is to the Minister for Senior Australians and Aged Care Services, Senator Colbeck. Can the minister provide an update on the number of Australians accessing a home-care package and...
  • COVID-19: Vaccination (8 speeches)
    My question is to the Minister representing the Minister for Health and Aged Care, Senator Colbeck. When asked about the pace of the vaccine rollout back in March of this year, the Prime Minister...
  • COVID-19: Indo-Pacific Region (9 speeches)
    My question is to the Minister for International Development and the Pacific, Senator Seselja. Can the minister update the Senate on how Australia is working with our Pacific family to secure our...
• Documents (0 speeches)
  • COVID-19 Select Committee; Order for the Production of Documents (10 speeches)
    In response to the notice passed in the chamber, I advise the chamber that the government maintains its public interest immunity claims advanced in response to the request from the Select...
• Answers to Questions on Notice (0 speeches)
  • Question No. 3985 (8 speeches)
    Pursuant to standing order 74(5), I seek an explanation from the Minister representing the Prime Minister, Senator Birmingham, as to why—and this is the third time that I have asked in this...
• Questions without Notice: Take Note of Answers (0 speeches)
  • Prime Minister, COVID-19: Vaccination (8 speeches)
    I move: That the Senate take note of the answers given by the Minister for Finance (Senator Birmingham) and the Minister for Sport and Minister for Senior Australians and Aged Care Services...
  • Climate Change, Gas Industry (1 speech)
    I move: That the Senate take note of the answers given by the Minister representing the Minister for Resources and Water (Senator Ruston) to questions without notice asked by Senator Cox today...
• Committees (0 speeches)
  • Community Affairs Legislation Committee; Report (1 speech)
    I present a dissenting report relating to the inquiry by the Community Affairs Legislation Committee into the National Disability Insurance Scheme Amendment (Participant Service Guarantee and...
• Budget (0 speeches)
  • Consideration by Estimates Committees (1 speech)
    I present additional information received by committees relating to estimates: Budget estimates 2021-22—Community Affairs Legislation Committee—Hansard record of proceedings,...
• Committees (0 speeches)
  • Public Accounts and Audit Committee; Report (1 speech)
    On behalf of the Joint Committee of Public Accounts and Audit, I present the 487th report of the committee, as well as an executive minute on the committee's 484th report. I move: That the Senate...
  • Finance and Public Administration References Committee; Report (4 speeches)
    I present the report Lessons to be learned in relation to the Australian bushfire season 2019-20 together with accompanying documents. I move: That the Senate take note of the report. I think...
  • Rural and Regional Affairs and Transport References Committee; Report (2 speeches)
    I present the final report of the Rural and Regional Affairs and Transport References Committee on the Water Legislation Amendment (Inspector-General of Water Compliance and Other Measures) Act...
  • Joint Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade; Report (1 speech)
    On behalf of Senator Fawcett, the chair, I present the interim report of the Joint Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade on advocating for the elimination of child and forced...
  • Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade References Committee, Electoral Matters Joint Committee; Government Response to Report (1 speech)
    I present the government's responses to the report of the Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade References Committee on the accuracy of information provided to the Defence Force Retirement and Death...
• Documents (0 speeches)
  • Shark Mitigation and Deterrent Measures, Australian Packaging Covenant and National Environment Protection (Used Packaging Materials) Measure 2011, Water for the Environment Special Account, National Gas Infrastructure Plan, Food Standards Australia New Zealand, Community Development Grants: Grant Award GA1528, Department of Health; Order for the Production of Documents (1 speech)
    I table documents relating to orders for the production of documents concerning the government response to the Environment and Communications References Committee report on shark mitigation and...
• Bills (0 speeches)
  • Biosecurity Amendment (Enhanced Risk Management) Bill 2021, Mitochondrial Donation Law Reform (Maeve's Law) Bill 2021; First Reading (1 speech)
    I move: That these bills may proceed without formalities, may be taken together and be now read a first time. Question agreed to. Bills read a first time.
  • Biosecurity Amendment (Enhanced Risk Management) Bill 2021, Mitochondrial Donation Law Reform (Maeve's Law) Bill 2021; Second Reading (1 speech)
    I table a revised explanatory memorandum relating to the Mitochondrial Donation Law Reform (Maeve's Law) Bill 2021 and move: That these bills be now read a second time. I seek leave to have the...
  • Investment Funds Legislation Amendment Bill 2021; First Reading (1 speech)
    I move: That this bill may proceed without formalities and be now read a first time. Question agreed to. Bills read a first time.
  • Investment Funds Legislation Amendment Bill 2021; Second Reading (1 speech)
    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 as follows— Today, I introduce the...
• Committees (0 speeches)
  • Legal and Constitutional Affairs Legislation Committee; Membership (1 speech)
    by leave—I move: That Senator Pratt replace Senator Carr on the Legal and Constitutional Affairs Legislation Committee for the committee's inquiry into the Religious Discrimination Bill...
• Delegation Reports (0 speeches)
  • Inter-Parliamentary Union Assembly (1 speech)
    by leave—I present the report of the Australian parliamentary delegation to the 142nd Inter-Parliamentary Union Assembly, which took place virtually from 24 to 28 May 2021. I seek leave to...
• Motions (0 speeches)
  • Net Zero Emissions by 2050 (3 speeches)
    I move: That the Senate calls on the Morrison Government to legislate their technology-driven plan to deliver net zero emissions by 2050, such that every Australian will be $2,000 better off a...
• Business (0 speeches)
  • Days and Hours of Meeting (1 speech)
    I move: That— (a) the Senate, at its rising, adjourn till Tuesday, 8 February 2022, at midday, or such other time as may be fixed by the President or, in the event of the President being...
• Statements (0 speeches)
  • Valedictory (5 speeches)
    Mr President, it is the end of what has been an extraordinary parliamentary year. It has been the most challenging of years—certainly that I can recall in my time in this place, and we have...
• Committees (0 speeches)
  • Community Affairs Legislation Committee, Community Affairs References Committee, Economics Legislation Committee, Economics References Committee, Education and Employment Legislation Committee, Education and Employment References Committee, Environment and Communications Legislation Committee, Environment and Communications References Committee, Finance and Public Administration Legislation Committee, Finance and Public Administration References Committee, Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade Legislation Committee, Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade References Committee, Legal and Constitutional Affairs Legislation Committee, Legal and Constitutional Affairs References Committee, Rural and Regional Affairs and Transport Legislation Committee, Rural and Regional Affairs and Transport References Committee; Membership (3 speeches)
    I have received a letter requesting changes in the membership of various committees.