Senate debates

Thursday, 31 July 2025

• Committees (0 speeches)
  • Meeting (1 speech)
    If there is no objection, the meetings are authorised.
• Motions (0 speeches)
  • Aboriginal Deaths in Custody (7 speeches)
    The Senate will now consider a motion to be moved by Senator Thorpe. Before you move your motion, Senator Thorpe, may I remind you that it's fine to have a message stick in the Senate, but the...
• Documents (0 speeches)
  • Tabling (1 speech)
    I seek leave to table a document, which is a list from the Israeli government's official record of Israeli civilians murdered by Hamas on and since 7 October 2023. Leave granted. I table the document.
• Bills (0 speeches)
  • Early Childhood Education and Care (Strengthening Regulation of Early Education) Bill 2025; Second Reading (1 speech)
    The question is that the second reading amendment moved by Senator Hodgins-May be agreed to.
  • Early Childhood Education and Care (Strengthening Regulation of Early Education) Bill 2025; In Committee (19 speeches)
    Minister, this legislation hasn't taken into account the unique operations and circumstances of Aboriginal community controlled services—not just child care but holistic family supports and...
  • Universities Accord (Cutting Student Debt by 20 Per Cent) Bill 2025; In Committee (3 speeches)
    I move Greens amendment (1) on sheet 3369: (1) Page 33 (after line 22), at the end of the Bill, add: Schedule 4 — Maximum student contribution amounts for places Part 1 — Amendments...
  • Universities Accord (Cutting Student Debt by 20 Per Cent) Bill 2025; Adoption of Report (2 speeches)
    I move: That the report from the committee be adopted.
  • Universities Accord (Cutting Student Debt by 20 Per Cent) Bill 2025; Third Reading (4 speeches)
    I move: That the bill be now read a third time.
  • Customs Amendment (Australia-United Arab Emirates Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement Implementation) Bill 2025, Customs Tariff Amendment (Australia-United Arab Emirates Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement Implementation) Bill 2025; 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.
  • Customs Amendment (Australia-United Arab Emirates Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement Implementation) Bill 2025, Customs Tariff Amendment (Australia-United Arab Emirates Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement Implementation) Bill 2025; Second Reading (4 speeches)
    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— CUSTOMS AMENDMENT...
  • Customs Amendment (Australia-United Arab Emirates Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement Implementation) Bill 2025, Customs Tariff Amendment (Australia-United Arab Emirates Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement Implementation) Bill 2025; Third Reading (2 speeches)
    No amendments have been circulated. Does any senator require a Committee of the Whole stage? There being none, I call the minister to move the third reading.
  • Universities Accord (National Higher Education Code to Prevent and Respond to Gender-based Violence) Bill 2025, Universities Accord (National Higher Education Code to Prevent and Respond to Gender-based Violence) (Consequential Amendments) Bill 2025; Second Reading (4 speeches)
    I note this is not my first speech. No student should be forced to choose between their education and their safety. For years now, the evidence has been clear and deeply troubling with respect to...
  • Universities Accord (National Higher Education Code to Prevent and Respond to Gender-based Violence) Bill 2025, Universities Accord (National Higher Education Code to Prevent and Respond to Gender-based Violence) (Consequential Amendments) Bill 2025; Third Reading (2 speeches)
    No amendments have been circulated. Does any senator require a committee stage? If not, I shall call the minister to move the third reading.
  • Early Childhood Education and Care (Strengthening Regulation of Early Education) Bill 2025; Third Reading (1 speech)
    I move: That this bill be now read a third time. Question agreed to. Bill read a third time.
• Committees (0 speeches)
  • Selection of Bills Committee; Report (13 speeches)
    I present the fourth report of 2025 of the Selection of Bills Committee, and I seek leave to have the report incorporated in Hansard. Leave granted. The report read as follows— Selection...
• Business (0 speeches)
  • Rearrangement (1 speech)
    I move: That general business notice of motion No. 73 standing in the name of Senator Ruston, relating to Medicare, be considered during general business today. Question agreed to.
  • Leave of Absence (2 speeches)
    by leave—I move: That leave of absence be granted to the following senators for today: (a) Senator McCarthy, on account of ministerial business; and (b) Senator Sterle, on account of...
• Committees (0 speeches)
  • Rural and Regional Affairs and Transport References Committee; Reference (2 speeches)
    At the request of Senator Canavan, I move: That the following matter be referred to the Rural and Regional Affairs and Transport References Committee for inquiry and report by 30 October 2025:...
  • Environment and Communications References Committee; Reference (8 speeches)
    I move: (1) That the following matter be re-referred to the Environment and Communications References Committee for inquiry and report by 25 June 2026: Greenwashing, with particular reference to:...
  • Public Works Joint Committee; Reference (1 speech)
    I move: That, in accordance with the provisions of the Public Works Committee Act 1969, the following proposed works be referred to the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Public Works for...
  • Productivity in Australia Select Committee; Appointment (5 speeches)
    At the request of Senator Bragg, I move: (1) That a select committee, to be known as the Select Committee on Productivity in Australia, be established to inquire into and report on: (a) the...
• Documents (0 speeches)
  • Middle East; Order for the Production of Documents (5 speeches)
    I move general business notices of motion Nos 53 to 55 together: GENERAL BUSINESS NOTICE OF MOTION NO. 53 That there be laid on the table by the Minister representing the Attorney-General by no...
  • Remote Australia Employment Service; Order for the Production of Documents (1 speech)
    I move: That there be laid on the table by the Minister for Indigenous Australians, by 5 pm on 12 August 2025: (a) the text of any legal advice obtained or prepared by the National Indigenous...
  • National Disability Insurance Scheme; Order for the Production of Documents (2 speeches)
    At the request of Senator Ruston, I move: That— (a) the Senate notes that on 29 July 2025 the Senate agreed that it does not consider that orders for the production of documents nos 229,...
• Bills (0 speeches)
  • Sex Discrimination Amendment (Restoring Biological Definitions) Bill 2025; First Reading (12 speeches)
    I, and also on behalf of Senator Canavan, move: That the following bill be introduced: A Bill for an Act to amend the Sex Discrimination Act 1984, and for related purposes. Question agreed to. I...
• Business (0 speeches)
  • Consideration of Legislation (6 speeches)
    I ask that general business notice of motion No. 69 be taken as a formal notion.
• Committees (0 speeches)
  • Appropriations, Staffing and Security Committee, Electoral Matters Joint Committee, Implementation of the National Redress Scheme — Joint Committee, Information Integrity on Climate Change and Energy — Select Committee , Parliamentary Standards Joint Committee, PFAS (Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances) Select Committee; Membership (2 speeches)
    With the indulgence of the Senate, I am going to deal with committee memberships before we get to the address-in-reply. I have received letters nominating senators to be members of committees.
• Governor-General's Speech (0 speeches)
  • Address-in-Reply (9 speeches)
    Current world events and the destabilisation of our geopolitical climate demonstrate that Australia, despite our challenges, is a resilient and strong democracy. This should never be taken for...
• Statements by Senators (0 speeches)
  • Sex Discrimination Amendment (Restoring Biological Definitions) Bill 2025 (1 speech)
    This morning I attempted to introduce a bill to protect women's rights by amending the Sex Discrimination Act, by removing references to gender identity and restoring the act to its original...
  • Tertiary Education (1 speech)
    The Department of Education estimates that around 62,000 First Nations students with a student loan debt will benefit from the reduction of 20 per cent that passed the Senate earlier today. This...
  • Middle East (1 speech)
    HODGINS-MAY () (): Today I would like to read out a statement from Jewish Voices for Humanity, a group from my home city of Naarm/Melbourne: We are Jewish Victorians deeply concerned about...
  • Forestry Industry (1 speech)
    One of the shadow portfolios I have the great honour to hold is forestry. On 19 August, before we come back, it will be National Forestry Day. I also note that I have the privilege of serving...
  • Community Services (1 speech)
    I would like to firstly acknowledge the Minister for Social Services for her own commitment and her team's work to supporting all Australians, especially in my home state, Western Australia....
  • Homelessness (1 speech)
    Parliamentarians back in the nation's capital may have noticed a couple of things over the last two weeks which they may have found a bit disturbing: not just how cold it's been, with a couple of...
  • Metals Industry (1 speech)
    Labor talk about a future made in Australia, but under their watch it's quickly turning into a nightmare made in Australia, especially for the metals manufacturing sector and for northern...
  • Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (1 speech)
    I note that this is not my first speech. I want to speak about how important the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme is to people living with medical conditions. This year, I was diagnosed with a...
  • Middle East (1 speech)
    I rise to speak about the forced mass starvation and ongoing genocide in Gaza. Israel has killed over 60,000 Palestinians since October 2023, but the number is likely much higher. Just this week,...
  • Education Standards (1 speech)
    I was extremely concerned to read this week that WA's NAPLAN results were amongst the worst in the country, with 40 per cent of year 3 students below the reading benchmark and 38.5 per cent below...
  • Economy (1 speech)
    Earlier today my colleague Senator Bragg proposed the establishment of a select committee to look into productivity in Australia. This committee would have included members of the government and...
  • Migration (1 speech)
    Not counting tourists, the number of people in Australia today who are not Australian citizens could be as high as 3.7 million. In a country with an estimated population of just 27.4 million...
  • Asylum Seekers (1 speech)
    This week I was lucky enough to meet with an ASRC delegation of people subjected to the cruel fast-track process. Narges and her son Nooshad arrived in Australia in 2013, seeking safety from the...
  • Tasmanian Freight Equalisation Scheme (1 speech)
    Congratulations to Labor! They're patting themselves on the back for doing the bare minimum for Tassie farmers and producers. It's official: Tassie businesses can now get 25 per cent more money...
  • Housing (1 speech)
    Community houses truly are the heart of our communities. Earlier this month, I had the privilege of meeting Tracy from the Burnie Community House. Tracy was very kind. She introduced me to her...
• Ministry (0 speeches)
  • Temporary Arrangements (1 speech)
    by leave—I advise the Senate that Senator McCarthy, the Minister for Indigenous Australians, will be absent from question time today on account of ministerial business interstate. During...
• Questions without Notice (0 speeches)
  • Defence (22 speeches)
    My question is to the Minister representing the Prime Minister, Penny Wong. As I joined Australian diggers conducting Exercise Talisman Sabre this month, the Netherlands joined a growing list of...
  • Cybersafety (11 speeches)
    My question is to the Minister representing the Prime Minister, Senator Wong. The Albanese Labor government's focus since being returned to office has been on delivering on its commitments to the...
  • Closing the Gap (15 speeches)
    My question is to the Minister representing the Prime Minister, Senator Wong. Minister, the latest Closing the gap report shows that only four of the 19 targets are on track, and critical...
  • South Australia: Marine Environment (8 speeches)
    My question is to the Minister for the Environment and Water, Senator Watt. The toxic algal bloom in South Australia has been wreaking havoc on our state—on our fishing industry, our...
  • Gender Equality (10 speeches)
    My question is to the Minister for Women, Senator Gallagher. Since coming to government in May 2022, the Albanese Labor government has made driving gender equality a key national priority....
  • Russia (8 speeches)
    My question is to the Minister for Foreign Affairs, Senator Wong. Yesterday, it was reported that a tanker carrying fuel refined largely from Russian oil docked in Kwinana, in WA. While sanctions...
  • Aged Care (18 speeches)
    My question is to the Minister representing the Minister for Health and Ageing, Senator McAllister. Minister, how many older Australians are currently on the national priority system waiting for...
  • Migration (12 speeches)
    My question is to Minister representing the Minister for Immigration and Citizenship, Minister Watt. How many permanent resident visas for people who have not become citizens are currently issued...
  • Medicare (8 speeches)
    My question is to the Minister representing the Minister for Health and Ageing, Senator McAllister. The Albanese Labor government was focused on strengthening Medicare and delivering...
  • Artificial Intelligence (8 speeches)
    My question is to the Minister representing the Treasurer, Senator Gallagher. The Treasurer has said that the government sees AI, artificial intelligence, as 'a huge opportunity for Australia'....
  • Housing (30 speeches)
    My question is to the Minister representing the Minister for Housing, Senator Ayres. In its first term, the Albanese Labor government prioritised building more homes.
• Questions without Notice: Additional Answers (0 speeches)
  • Closing the Gap (1 speech)
    I have some further information in relation to the question asked of me today by Senator Liddle, which I will simply read into the Hansard. The Commonwealth is delivering on a shared commitment...
  • Construction, Forestry and Maritime Employees Union (1 speech)
    In question time on Monday 28 July, I undertook to provide further information in response to questions asked of me by Senator Bragg in my capacity as the Minister representing the Prime Minister...
• Questions without Notice: Take Note of Answers (0 speeches)
  • Answers to Questions (12 speeches)
    I move: That the Senate take note of the answers given by ministers to questions without notice asked by Opposition senators today. I rise to take note particularly of the minister's response to...
  • South Australia: Marine Environment (1 speech)
    I move: That the Senate take note of the answer given by the Minister for the Environment and Water (Senator Watt) to a question without notice asked by Senator Hanson-Young today relating to...
• Party Office Holders (0 speeches)
  • National Party of Australia (1 speech)
    by leave—I advise the Senate that I am replacing Senator McDonald as whip for the purposes of standing order 24A relating to the Selection of Bills Committee.
• Petitions (0 speeches)
  • National Disability Insurance Scheme (1 speech)
    by leave—I table this nonconforming petition, titled 'Stand up for disability support: stop the NDIS cuts', of some 60,000 signatures.
• Delegation Reports (0 speeches)
  • Australian Parliamentary Delegation to the 150th Inter-Parliamentary Union Assembly (1 speech)
    by leave—I present the report of the Australian parliamentary delegation to the 150th Inter-Parliamentary Union Assembly, which took place from 5 to 9 April 2025. I move: That the Senate...
• Budget (0 speeches)
  • Consideration by Estimates Committees (1 speech)
    I present additional information received by committees relating to the following estimates: Additional estimates 2023–24—Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade Legislation...
• Committees (0 speeches)
  • Rural and Regional Affairs and Transport Legislation Committee; Report (1 speech)
    At the request of the chair of the Rural and Regional Affairs and Transport Legislation Committee, I present the report of the committee on an examination of annual reports tabled by 30 April 2025.
  • Education and Employment Legislation Committee; Report (1 speech)
    At the request of the chair of the Education and Employment Legislation Committee, Senator Marielle Smith, I present the report of the committee relating to the re-adoption of its inquiry into...
  • Privileges Committee; Report (1 speech)
    I present the 186th report of the Committee of Privileges, entitled Person referred to in the Senate: Mr Lesley Turner. I move: That the report be adopted. This report forms part of a series of...
  • Senators' Interests Committee; Report (1 speech)
    I present the Register of Senators' Interests, incorporating statements of registrable interests and notifications of alterations lodged between 1 January and 30 June 2025.
  • Scrutiny of Delegated Legislation Committee; Delegated Legislation Monitor (1 speech)
    I present the Delegated legislation monitor No. 4 of 2025 of the Standing Committee for the Scrutiny of Delegated Legislation together with ministerial correspondence, and I move: That the Senate...
  • Education and Employment Legislation Committee; Government Response to Report (1 speech)
    I present the government response to the report of the Education and Employment Legislation Committee on its inquiry into the provisions of the Wage Justice for Early Childhood Education and Care...
• Documents (0 speeches)
  • Gambling, Australian Public Service Commission, Albanese Government, Department of Employment and Workplace Relations, Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water; Order for the Production of Documents (1 speech)
    I table documents relating to orders for the production of documents concerning online gambling, the review of public sector board appointments, the 2025 incoming government briefs, Workforce...
• Budget (0 speeches)
  • (1 speech)
    I table the following documents: Particulars of proposed expenditure in respect of the year ending on 30 June 2026. Particulars of certain proposed expenditure in respect of the year ending on 30...
• Bills (0 speeches)
  • Aged Care and Other Legislation Amendment Bill 2025, Aged Care (Accommodation Payment Security) Levy Amendment Bill 2025; 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.
  • Aged Care and Other Legislation Amendment Bill 2025, Aged Care (Accommodation Payment Security) Levy Amendment Bill 2025; 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. AGED CARE AND OTHER LEGISLATION AMENDMENT BILL 2025 I...
  • Australian Security Intelligence Organisation Amendment Bill (No. 1) 2025, Defence Housing Australia Amendment Bill 2025, Health Insurance (Pathology) (Fees) (Repeal) Bill 2025, Pacific Banking Guarantee Bill 2025; 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.
  • Australian Security Intelligence Organisation Amendment Bill (No. 1) 2025, Defence Housing Australia Amendment Bill 2025, Health Insurance (Pathology) (Fees) (Repeal) Bill 2025, Pacific Banking Guarantee Bill 2025; 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— AUSTRALIAN...
• Committees (0 speeches)
  • Education and Employment Legislation Committee, Electoral Matters Joint Committee, Information Integrity on Climate Change and Energy — Select Committee; Membership (2 speeches)
    The President has received letters nominating senators to be members of various committees.
• Motions (0 speeches)
  • Medicare (4 speeches)
    I move general business notice of motion No. 73: That the Senate— (a) notes that the Prime Minister promised 71 times to Australians that 'all you need is your Medicare card, not a credit...