Senate debates
Tuesday, 26 August 2025
- Committees (0 speeches)
- Meeting (1 speech)
If there are no objections, the meetings are authorised.
- Bills (0 speeches)
- Statements by Senators (0 speeches)
- Fishing Industry (1 speech)
I'd like to bring to the attention of this chamber the importance of the Western Australian fishing industry. Commercial fishing, including pearling and aquaculture, contributes about $1 billion...
- Fitch, Ms Rosanne Mary (1 speech)
I rise to pay tribute to a former long-term staff member of mine who passed away last week after a very short and sudden illness. My staff and I are deeply saddened by the loss Rosanne Mary...
- Climate Change (1 speech)
Last week at the invite of marine scientists, I visited UQ's Heron Island Research Station at the southern end of the Great Barrier Reef to see firsthand the impact of last year's mass coral...
- Victoria: Crime (1 speech)
Victorians deserve the right to feel safe in their own homes, on their streets and in their communities, but right now they don't. Carjackings, home invasions, gangs, gang warfare, youth...
- Backo, Mr Samson Neale (Sam) (1 speech)
I rise to honour the life and legacy of a North Queensland legend, Slammin' Sam Backo. Sam Backo passed earlier this month after a three-month battle with melioidosis and complications related to...
- Child Care (1 speech)
There has been a lot of focus on early childhood learning and care, as there should be, given the deeply concerning events in Victoria. While the government's response is welcome, I believe we...
- Energy (1 speech)
Last week I convened a real productivity roundtable to discuss the real economic challenges facing this nation. The government's productivity roundtable had clearly failed to tackle the major...
- Wear It Purple Day (1 speech)
I rise to talk about a day that's important to young queer people. This Friday, we will celebrate Wear It Purple Day. The day is about more than just wearing a colour; it's about supporting young...
- Middle East (1 speech)
Yesterday, Israeli air strikes hit the Nasser Hospital in southern Gaza, which is one of the last remaining lifelines for besieged Palestinians, who've been slaughtered in the tens of thousands...
- Artificial Intelligence (1 speech)
The Productivity Commission has recommended that the government pause their plans to regulate artificial intelligence and even suggested that AI should be allowed to train on copyrighted material...
- Wall, Dr Pamela, AO (1 speech)
It is my honour to pay tribute to an extraordinary South Australian whose generosity, wisdom and enduring commitment to community have left an indelible mark on our state and our nation. Dr...
- Economy (1 speech)
Last week, Australia watched the Treasurer host business and union bosses in the cabinet room. The irony escaped the Treasurer—using the cabinet room to hold a policy debate cabinet itself...
- Mental Health (1 speech)
Ramsay Health Care has announced that they will close 17 of their 20 private psychology clinics by the end of this month. We do not yet know how many jobs will be lost, but we do know that the...
- Cybersafety (1 speech)
Would you hand over your driver's licence to stream your favourite movie or show? You wouldn't. Who knows what Netflix, Amazon Prime or Disney will do with your information? You'd think it was...
- AgQuip Field Days (2 speeches)
In Gunnedah, just last week, I was among tens of thousands of Australians who were in town to attend the AgQuip Field Days. Rain was no impediment or deterrent; there were tens of thousands...
- Questions without Notice (0 speeches)
- Taxation (9 speeches)
My question is to the Minister representing the Prime Minister, Senator Wong. The Albanese government's taxpayer funded talkfest last week has produced nothing but suggestions for new and higher...
- National Security (8 speeches)
My question is to the Minister representing the Prime Minister, Senator Wong. Earlier this afternoon, as colleagues would be aware, the Prime Minister—along with the Minister for Foreign...
- Housing (16 speeches)
My question is to the Minister representing the Prime Minister, Senator Wong. Yesterday the Prime Minister, who you represent in this chamber, Senator Wong, announced that the Home Guarantee...
- Middle East (8 speeches)
My question is to the Minister for Foreign Affairs, Senator Wong. Minister, in the last 24 hours, Israel has conducted what's known as a 'double-tap' attack on Nasser hospital in Gaza, striking...
- Housing (24 speeches)
This is not my first speech but it's my first question to the Minister representing the Minister for Housing, Senator Ayres. The Albanese Labor government was re-elected with a mandate to build...
- National Disability Insurance Scheme (8 speeches)
My question is to the Minister for the National Disability Insurance Scheme. Specialist disability accommodation, SDA, delivers specialised housing support for Australians with very high needs...
- Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (15 speeches)
My question is to Minister for Industry and Innovation and Minister for Science, Minister Ayres. The CSIRO appropriation as a percentage of GDP has fallen by more than 40 per cent over the past...
- Stillborn Baby Payment (8 speeches)
My question is to the Minister for Women and the Minister for Government Services, Minister Gallagher. A letter from Services Australia, dated 2 July 2025, confirms that the stillborn baby...
- Environmental Conservation (10 speeches)
My question is to the Minister for the Environment and Water, Senator Watt. Five years ago, the then environment minister and now opposition leader Sussan Ley commissioned a review by eminent...
- Economic Reform Roundtable (12 speeches)
My question is to the Minister representing the Treasurer, Senator Gallagher. Labor's three-day taxpayer funded talkfest delivered nothing for families—no cut to power bills, no relief at...
- Statements (0 speeches)
- Procedure Committee (2 speeches)
by leave—I just wanted to address at this time, ahead of taking note of answers, the matter that has been raised by Senator Lambie and the crossbench regarding allocation of time in taking...
- Questions without Notice: Take Note of Answers (0 speeches)
- Answers to Questions (7 speeches)
I move: That the Senate take note of the answers given by ministers to questions without notice asked by Opposition senators today. There were three questions put to the ministry, and the first...
- Middle East (1 speech)
I move: That the Senate take note of the answers given by the Minister for Foreign Affairs (Senator Wong) to questions without notice asked by Senator Shoebridge today relating to the Middle...
- Stillborn Baby Payment (5 speeches)
I move: That the Senate take note of the answer given by the Minister for Women and Minister for Government Services (Senator Gallagher) to a question without notice I asked today relating to the...
- Notices (0 speeches)
- Postponement (1 speech)
If there is no objection, the business is postponed.
- Withdrawal (1 speech)
I withdraw general business notice of motion No. 107 for today, as the report was released a few hours ago.
- Business (0 speeches)
- Leave of Absence (1 speech)
by leave—I move: That Senator McCarthy be granted leave of absence for the period 26 August to 28 August 2025 inclusive, for personal reasons. Question agreed to.
- Party Office Holders (0 speeches)
- Jacqui Lambie Network (1 speech)
I advise the Senate that I shall be designated as Whip for the Jacqui Lambie Network and for the purposes of standing order 24A, relating to the Selection of Bills Committee.
- Committees (0 speeches)
- Documents (0 speeches)
- Department of Industry, Science and Resources; Order for the Production of Documents (1 speech)
At the request of Senator Bragg, I move: That there be laid on the table by the Minister for Industry and Innovation, by no later than 9 am on 1 September 2025, any briefing documents and/or...
- Department of Industry, Science and Resources, Department of Finance, National Reconstruction Fund; Order for the Production of Documents (1 speech)
At the request of Senator Bragg, I move general business notices of motion Nos 84, 85 and 86 together: GENERAL BUSINESS NOTICE OF MOTION NO. 84 That there be laid on the table by the Minister for...
- Gambling; Order for the Production of Documents (1 speech)
I seek leave to amend general business notices of motion Nos 87 and 88 before asking that they be taken as formal motions. Leave granted. I move the motions as amended: GENERAL BUSINESS NOTICE OF...
- Construction, Forestry and Maritime Employees Union; Order for the Production of Documents (1 speech)
I move: That there be laid on the table by the Minister representing the Minister for Employment and Workplace Relations, by no later than 5 pm on Friday, 29 August 2025, copies of all letters,...
- Independent National Security Legislation Monitor; Order for the Production of Documents (4 speeches)
I move: That there be laid on the table by the Minister representing the Prime Minister, by no later than 5 pm on Wednesday, 27 August 2025, the final written report of the review of the...
- Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development, Communications, Sport and the Arts; Order for the Production of Documents (1 speech)
I move: That— (a) the Senate notes that: (i) in response to order for the production of documents no. 37, the Minister for Communications has claimed public interest immunity in respect of...
- Department of the Treasury; Order for the Production of Documents (1 speech)
I move: That the Senate— (a) notes that the Minister representing the Assistant Treasurer and Minister for Financial Services has failed to comply with order for the production of documents...
- Bills (0 speeches)
- Business (0 speeches)
- Consideration of Legislation (1 speech)
I move: (1) That so much of the standing orders be suspended as would prevent this resolution having effect. (2) That the Competition and Consumer Amendment (Make Price Gouging Illegal) Bill 2024...
- Documents (0 speeches)
- Climate Change Authority; Order for the Production of Documents (1 speech)
On behalf of Senator Dean Smith, I move: That the Senate— (a) notes that: (i) the response to order for the production of documents no. 41, relating to the release of documents regarding...
- National Disability Insurance Scheme; Order for the Production of Documents (10 speeches)
I move: That there be laid on the table by the Minister representing the Minister for Health and Ageing, by no later than 4.30 pm on 28 August 2025, the report written by the Independent Health...
- Future Fund; Order for the Production of Documents (1 speech)
I move: That there be laid on the table by the Minister for Finance, by no later than 10 am on 1 September 2025, the following: (a) a document setting out the total amount of expenditure by the...
- Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water; Order for the Production of Documents (3 speeches)
I move: That there be laid on the table by the Minister representing the Minister for Climate Change and Energy, by no later than midday on Monday, 1 September 2025, all volumes of the incoming...
- Matters of Urgency (0 speeches)
- Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water (14 speeches)
Senator McKim has submitted a proposal, under standing order 75, today. It is shown at item 12 of today's Order of Business: Pursuant to standing order 75, I give notice that today the Australian...
- Taxation (15 speeches)
(): The Senate will now consider the proposal from Senator McGrath, which is also shown at item No. 12 of today's Order of Business: Pursuant to standing order 75, I give notice that...
- Committees (0 speeches)
- Documents (0 speeches)
- Committees (0 speeches)
- Regulations and Determinations (0 speeches)
- First Speech (0 speeches)
- Dowling, Senator Richard (2 speeches)
Pursuant to order, I now call Senator Dowling to make his first speech and ask senators that the usual courtesies be extended to him.
- Regulations and Determinations (0 speeches)
- Bills (0 speeches)
- Adjournment (0 speeches)
- Western Australia: Industry (1 speech)
Western Australia has long been the engine room of Australia's economy. Our iron ore industry not only built our economy; it has underpinned our nation's export strength for decades. Last year...
- Media (1 speech)
Back in 1990, the media landscape was quite different. The only media channels which existed then were mainstream television, radio and newspapers. Control of the narrative was limited to a few...
- Western Australia: Environment (1 speech)
Tonight I bring to attention an issue that is being raised loudly by the Western Australian community. The health and longevity of our environment cannot be sacrificed to a further mining...
- Renewable Energy (1 speech)
Last week I stood in a tiny town, Marnoo—population 99—in the heart of the Mallee. I stood with Anne Webster, their local federal MP, with local councillors and with hundreds of...
- National Disability Insurance Agency (1 speech)
At Senate estimates earlier this year, I asked for a breakdown of gifts from Salesforce to NDIA officials, with as many as a hundred going undisclosed, contrary to the NDIA's own finance...
- Green, Sir Guy, AC, KBE, CVO (1 speech)
I rise tonight to pay my respects to a remarkable Tasmanian, the Hon. Sir Guy Green AC KBE CVO, a distinguished statesman who lived a life of service and commitment to Tasmania. Sir Guy, who...
- Artificial Intelligence, Middle East (1 speech)
Productivity and AI—they're words everyone in this place is obsessed with, but no-one seems to know exactly what they mean by them. Maybe it's 'the vibe' or something. Well, let me tell you...
- Civil Contractors Federation Tasmania Earth Awards (1 speech)
It's a cliche to say that we all get here on the back of the hard work of others, but when it comes to civil construction it's literally true. Everyone who travelled here has a team of civil...
- National Security (1 speech)
Earlier today the Australian public and the Australian parliament heard frankly alarming news about the hostile acts of a foreign power directed against Australia and Australian national...
- Royal Commission of Inquiry into COVID-19 Lessons Learned (1 speech)
The New Zealand Royal Commission of Inquiry into COVID-19 Lessons Learned invited several former ministers in New Zealand responsible for the damaging, inhuman and fatal COVID response. These...
- Westbrook, Eden Jayde (1 speech)
Eden Westbrook would have turned 26 on 12 August, but Eden died a very public death in tragic circumstances in St Helens, Tasmania, in February 2015. She was found hanging by a rope in St Helens...
- National Security, Multicultural Career and Job Expo Logan 2025, St Mary and Archangel Michael Eritrean Orthodox Tewahdo Church, Mskaye Hizunan Tigrayan Orthodox Tewahedo Church (1 speech)
I rise to take note of the shocking revelations today of the involvement of the Iranian regime in relation to terrorist acts in Australia, including the firebombing of the Adass Israel synagogue....
- Migration (1 speech)
We are locked in an all-or-nothing fight for Australia's very soul. On one side are the Australians who built this country: the battlers, the people from the bush, the people who contributed to...
