Senate debates
Monday, 25 August 2025
- Committees (0 speeches)
- Meeting (1 speech)
If there is no objection, the meetings are authorised.
- Parliamentary Office Holders (0 speeches)
- Australian Labor Party (1 speech)
by leave—I inform senators that Senator Darmanin will be the Acting Chief Government Whip, in the absence of Senator Sheldon, from 25 August to 4 September 2025.
- Bills (0 speeches)
- Statements by Senators (0 speeches)
- Veteran Car Club of Australia (Tasmania) (1 speech)
Not often can you combine something you enjoy doing with doing something good for the community, but the members of the Veteran Car Club of Australia, Tasmania division, do precisely that. In...
- Universities (1 speech)
In its first 100 days of a second term, the Albanese Labor government has moved swiftly to deliver on its bold reform agenda, prioritising relief for students, working Australians and families...
- Australian Football League (1 speech)
Why is the AFL bringing in an international artist, a slur merchant, and paying them $2 million rather than backing Aussie talent? The AFL have decided that, rather than putting on an Australian...
- South Australia: Marine Environment (1 speech)
In this chamber, we have done as much as we can as quickly as we can—Senator Grogan, Senator McLachlan and I moved a motion—about the algal bloom stuff, but we need more. We need more...
- Brand, Mr George (1 speech)
I rise to honour the passing of the life of a very successful and very kind entrepreneur and community minded member of the Central Coast—none other than George Brand. If people looked up...
- Economy, Immigration (1 speech)
Australia's long-term productivity growth rate has hit its lowest point in the last 20 years, dropping to 0.9 per cent. Over the past week, there has been a lot of talk about capital deepening...
- South Australia: Marine Environment (1 speech)
Today I rise so the voices of Port Clinton in South Australia and other regional coastline communities can be heard in this place. I add them to the growing list of people deeply concerned about...
- Magabala Books (1 speech)
Those of us that have had the privilege to serve in this fine place know how wonderful it is to get out of here and get back to our electorates—I don't mean that rudely—which I have...
- South Australia: Marine Environment, Freedom of Speech (1 speech)
After hearing all the concern in the chamber today about the algal bloom, I thought I'd give an event occurring this Thursday in room 1R1 at 12.15 a plug. For those senators who won't be...
- Economy (2 speeches)
Only in Australia could a prime minister host a three-day productivity summit, and then, right after it ends, encourage Australians to not do any work. Yet, that's exactly what happened last...
- Ukraine (1 speech)
I rise to contribute. On 21 August 1991, when Russia had a very different leader, Ukraine declared its independence after centuries of occupation by other nations—most brutally by the...
- Small Business (1 speech)
I rise today to congratulate the government on holding its economic round table. But I must also appeal for stronger action to protect Australia's crucial small-business sector. Small businesses...
- Australian Securities and Investments Commission: Law Enforcement (3 speeches)
Sometimes I wonder what the point is of us all flying down to this bush capital and making laws, because so many of the laws that have been made are not enforced, whether that be about incitement...
- Ministry (0 speeches)
- Temporary Arrangements (2 speeches)
by leave—I advise changes to ministerial arrangements. Senator McCarthy will be absent from question time this week for personal reasons. In her absence, ministers will represent portfolios...
- Questions without Notice (0 speeches)
- Superannuation (16 speeches)
My question is to the Minister representing the Treasurer, Senator Gallagher. Last week, the treasurer announced: … we are going to have another look at the super performance test …...
- Distinguished Visitors (0 speeches)
- Vietnam: Parliamentary Delegation (1 speech)
I draw to the attention of honourable senators the presence in the gallery of a parliamentary delegation from the Committee for National Defence, Security and Foreign Affairs of the National...
- Questions without Notice (0 speeches)
- Housing (20 speeches)
I note that this is not my first speech. My question is to the Minister representing the Prime Minister, Senator Wong. Housing is an issue that affects every single Australian. In its first term,...
- National Disability Insurance Scheme (11 speeches)
My question is to Senator Gallagher in their capacity as Minister for the National Disability Insurance Scheme. Let's be clear—autism is permanent and significant. The language 'mild or...
- Cost of Living (10 speeches)
My question is to the Minister representing the Treasurer, Senator Gallagher. The past month has seen the release of welcome economic data, including the third interest rate cut since the...
- Royal Commission into the Robodebt Scheme (10 speeches)
My question is to the Minister representing the Minister for Social Services. It's now been two years since the recommendations of the robodebt royal commission were handed down, yet several...
- Budget (33 speeches)
My question is to the Minister representing the Treasurer, Senator Gallagher. When will the Treasurer introduce quantifiable fiscal rules to contain his spending spree?
- Taxation (8 speeches)
My question is to the Minister for Finance, Senator Gallagher, relating to taxation proposals debated at last week's productivity roundtable. The proposal was to force homeowners with a spare...
- Economy (10 speeches)
My question is to the Minister representing the Treasurer. Minister, the Australian Financial Review recently reported: The federal and state government spending splurge has hit the highest level...
- Income Tax (13 speeches)
My question is for the Minister representing the Treasurer, Senator Gallagher. On Insiders on Sunday, David Speers asked the Treasurer, 'Will we see anything further on tax in your next budget?'...
- Questions without Notice: Additional Answers (0 speeches)
- Immigration (1 speech)
In question time on 31 July 2025, I undertook to provide further information in response to questions asked of me by Senator Whitten in my capacity as the Minister representing the Minister for...
- Questions without Notice: Take Note of Answers (0 speeches)
- Economic Reform Roundtable (5 speeches)
I move: That the Senate take note of answers given to all coalition senators' questions today. I want to start with the last question that was asked by Senator Paterson. What was very telling in...
- Taxation (1 speech)
I move: That the Senate take note of the answer given by the Minister for Finance to a question I asked today regarding taxation proposals raised at the productivity roundtable. In public life,...
- National Disability Insurance Scheme (1 speech)
I move: That the Senate take note of the answer given by the Minister for the National Disability Insurance Scheme to a question I asked today regarding the National Disability Insurance Scheme....
- Royal Commission into the Robodebt Scheme (2 speeches)
I move: That the Senate take note of the answer given by the Minister representing the Minister for Social Services (Senator Gallagher) to a question without notice I asked today. I rise to take...
- Business (0 speeches)
- Leave of Absence (2 speeches)
by leave—I move: That leave of absence be granted to the following senators: (a) Senator McCarthy for today; and (b) Senator Sheldon from 25 August to 4 September 2025. Question agreed to.
- Notices (0 speeches)
- Withdrawal (1 speech)
I withdraw general business notice of motion No. 46.
- Postponement (1 speech)
If there is no objection, the business is postponed.
- Condolences (0 speeches)
- Campbell, Mr Graeme (1 speech)
It is with deep regret that I inform the Senate of the death, on 16 August 2025, of Mr Graeme Campbell, former member of the House of Representatives for the division of Kalgoorlie, Western...
- Committees (0 speeches)
- Bills (0 speeches)
- Documents (0 speeches)
- Housing Australia Future Fund; Order for the Production of Documents (3 speeches)
On behalf of Senator Bragg, I move: That the Senate— (a) notes: (i) that order for the production of documents no. 28 (the order) agreed to by the Senate on 24 July 2025, requiring the...
- North West Shelf Project; Order for the Production of Documents (2 speeches)
I move: That there be laid on the table by the Minister for the Environment and Water, by no later than Wednesday, 3 September 2025, any approval conditions including draft versions provided to...
- Housing Australia Future Fund; Order for the Production of Documents (1 speech)
I move: That there be laid on the table by the Minister representing the Minister for Housing, by no later than midday on Tuesday, 23 September 2025: (a) all documents, including but not limited...
- Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water; Order for the Production of Documents (1 speech)
I move: That there be laid on the table by the Minister for the Environment and Water, by no later than Friday, 29 August 2025, the referral decision brief for Environment Protection and...
- Climate Change; Order for the Production of Documents (1 speech)
I move: That there be laid on the table by the Minister representing the Prime Minister, by no later than 9.30 am on Wednesday, 27 August 2025: (a) any report or analysis or assessment undertaken...
- Australian National University; Order for the Production of Documents (17 speeches)
I move: That there be laid on the table by the Vice-Chancellor of the Australian National University (ANU), by no later than 9.30 am on 28 August 2025: (a) all documents, emails/internal...
- Australian Public Service Commission; Order for the Production of Documents (5 speeches)
I move: That the Senate— (a) notes: (i) that on 23 July 2025, the Senate ordered the Minister for the Public Service to produce the final report of the public sector board appointments...
- Motions (0 speeches)
- Medicare (1 speech)
I remind senators that after 4.30 pm on Thursday 31 July 2025, a division was called on a motion moved by Senator Ruston concerning Medicare. I understand it suits the convenience of the Senate...
- Matters of Public Importance (0 speeches)
- Economic Reform Roundtable (10 speeches)
Senator Bragg has submitted a proposal, under standing order 75, today, which is shown at item 15 of today's Order of Business: The Albanese Government's Productivity Roundtable was a...
- Cost of Living (2 speeches)
The Senate will now consider the proposal, under standing order 75, from Senator Lambie, which is also shown at item 15 on today's Order of Business: The cost of living crisis, fuelled by unfair...
- First Speech (0 speeches)
- Walker, Senator Charlotte (2 speeches)
Pursuant to order, I now call Senator Walker to make her first speech. Senators, I ask that the usual courtesies be extended to her.
- Matters of Public Importance (0 speeches)
- Cost of Living (7 speeches)
Regarding the MPI put forward today by Senator Lambie, that 'the cost-of-living crisis, fuelled by unfair practices from banks, energy and telecommunications companies posting record profits,...
- Documents (0 speeches)
- Committees (0 speeches)
- Bills (0 speeches)
- Notices (0 speeches)
- Postponement (1 speech)
As the time for postponements has passed already, I seek leave to postpone business of the Senate notice of motion No. 2, in the name of Senator Bragg, until tomorrow, 26 August. Leave granted.
- Bills (0 speeches)
- Adjournment (0 speeches)
- Albanese Government (1 speech)
You're not going to stop me! In tonight's adjournment debate I want to speak about the first 100 days of the Albanese Labor government's second term. We have not stopped implementing policy...
- Racism (1 speech)
I wish I didn't have to give this speech. On 2 August 2025, after the last parliamentary sitting, I took the first opportunity I had to visit the Hindu temple in Melbourne which was defaced with...
- Edwardes, Hon. Cheryl, AM, Organisation of African Communities Western Australia (1 speech)
Tonight I rise to congratulate Cheryl Edwardes AM on being conferred the honour of Freeman of the City of Joondalup. Cheryl's contribution to Western Australia has been nothing short of...
