Senate debates
Tuesday, 2 September 2025
- Committees (0 speeches)
- Meeting (1 speech)
If there's no objection, the meetings are authorised.
- Statements (0 speeches)
- Documents (0 speeches)
- Motions (0 speeches)
- Australia: Racism (19 speeches)
I seek leave to make a five-minute statement in response to Senator Faruqi's motion from Monday 1 September regarding social cohesion. Leave not granted. Pursuant to contingent notice of motion...
- Bills (0 speeches)
- Statements by Senators (0 speeches)
- Social Cohesion (2 speeches)
I love our flag. I love our country. And 3 September is National Flag Day. National Flag Day celebrates the first time our nation's flag was flown, on 3 September 1901. Our flag is our foremost...
- Housing (1 speech)
Homeownership shouldn't be a far-fetched dream, out of sight and out of reach. It never used to be. For generations of Australians, owning your own home was part of building a secure future,...
- Women's Health (1 speech)
Women's Health Week is Australia's largest national health campaign, dedicated to the health and wellbeing of women, girls and gender-diverse people. Medical misogyny means that women's health is...
- FermentHQ (2 speeches)
My hometown of Launceston certainly has its fair share of culinary delights. In 2021 the city of Launceston was named a UNESCO city of gastronomy. I am sure there are many here who have attended...
- Social Cohesion (1 speech)
We always seek to strike the right balance in this place between standing up against hate and giving more oxygen to hateful acts. But I also want to rise to join in the condemnation of marches...
- Australian Capital Territory: Health Care, Australian Capital Territory: Environment (1 speech)
I want to continue to raise concerns about health care here in the ACT. Currently, over half of people on the public waitlist for orthopaedic surgery have waited longer than they should have in...
- No Limits Perth (1 speech)
I rise in the Australian Senate to acknowledge the remarkable work of No Limits Perth. This not-for-profit has been providing critical emergency support to vulnerable people in Perth's northern...
- Burra Community School (1 speech)
I recently had the great pleasure of visiting the Burra Community School. It's a great school, and I spoke to the students there about the role of parliament and what we do in this place. But I...
- Tibet (1 speech)
Yesterday I had the privilege of meeting with members of Australia's Tibetan community. I thanked them for their time. They spoke bravely to me and told me profound stories of personal and...
- Labor Government (1 speech)
A year ago this month, I addressed the chamber in a speech much like this one. I sought to raise issues that were affecting young Australians in a language they were familiar with. I've come back...
- Freedom of Information (2 speeches)
The essence of democracy is transparency. Freedom of information laws are not an inconvenience for governments; they are the lifeblood of accountability. Yet this federal Labor government, the...
- Australian Labor Party, World Economic Forum (1 speech)
There's a quote from Gandhi which reads: 'First they ignore you, then they laugh at you, then they fight you, then you win.' I was reminded of that quote last Thursday when Prime Minister...
- National Disability Insurance Scheme, Thriving Kids Program (1 speech)
Today I'm going to use my time to read a message sent to me from a constituent responding to the government's announcement of the Thriving Kids program and the planned NDIS eligibility changes....
- Tasmania: Banking and Financial Services (1 speech)
Tasmania's West Coast is reeling after Bendigo Bank Queenstown announced its branch closure. The entire region will be left without a single physical banking institution. We have already heard...
- Road Transport Industry (2 speeches)
I rise for my two minutes to just make a comment. I am in receipt of a press release from a very decent human being, Mr Michael McCormack, the member for Riverina. I say that with the greatest of...
- Questions without Notice (0 speeches)
- Aged Care (12 speeches)
My question is to the Minister representing the Minister for Aged Care and Seniors, Senator McAllister. We have heard from many South Australians who have contacted coalition offices in desperate...
- Distinguished Visitors (0 speeches)
- Questions without Notice (0 speeches)
- Cost of Living (8 speeches)
My question is to the Minister representing the Prime Minister, Senator Wong. In its first term, the Albanese Labor government delivered cost-of-living relief to Australians that was focused on...
- Indigenous Australians (28 speeches)
LIDDLE () (): My question is to the Minister for Indigenous Australians, Senator McCarthy, and it is on Australians you have not delivered for. Since the Albanese government was elected in 2022,...
- Climate Change (14 speeches)
President, with your indulgence, I also acknowledge the delegation from South Korea and say I enjoyed my chat with them the other day and their interest in climate change and climate policy. My...
- Medicare (8 speeches)
My question is to the Minister representing the Treasurer, Minister Gallagher. Since coming to government in May 2022, strengthening Medicare has been a central priority of the Albanese Labor...
- Russia (8 speeches)
My question is to the Minister for Foreign Affairs. It comes from revelations that, despite sanctions that the government established in 2022 to stop the import of a range of Russian goods,...
- Freedom of Information (12 speeches)
My question is to the Minister representing the Attorney-General, Senator Farrell. The government has announced new restrictions on the freedom of information, including higher fees for...
- Women's Health, Safety and Security (12 speeches)
My question is to the Minister for Women, Senator Gallagher. I note that this is Women's Health Week, and I have noted a number of Labor senators mentioning this important occasion while talking...
- Climate Change (8 speeches)
My question is to the Minister representing the Minister for Climate Change and Energy, Senator Ayres. The Albanese Labor government was re-elected with a renewed mandate to address climate...
- Taxation (18 speeches)
My question is to the Minister representing the Prime Minister, Senator Wong. Minister, last week Labor refused point-blank to rule out a spare bedroom tax.
- Statement by the President (0 speeches)
- Parliamentary Language (1 speech)
Senators, during question time yesterday Minister Gallagher asked to review rulings about the quotation of coarse language and consider how they should apply, in relation to questions being asked...
- Committees (0 speeches)
- 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. I'm not going to get into the bedroom tax; I think my...
- Women's Health, Safety and Security (1 speech)
I move: That the Senate take note of the answers to questions I asked the Minister for Women, Senator Gallagher, about measures to ensure women's health, safety and security. Changes to the Sex...
- Climate Change (7 speeches)
I move: That the Senate take note of the answers to questions I asked the Minister for the Environment and Water, Senator Watt, regarding climate change. I would like to reflect today that...
- Condolences (0 speeches)
- Watson, Mr John Odin Wentworth, AM (7 speeches)
It is with deep regret that I inform the Senate of the death on 8 August 2025 of John Odin Wentworth Watson AM, a senator for the state of Tasmania from 1978 to 2008.
- Business (0 speeches)
- Rearrangement (1 speech)
by leave—I move: That on Wednesday, 3 September 2025: (a) the hours of meeting be 9 am till adjournment; (b) the Aged Care and Other Legislation Amendment Bill 2025 and related bill be...
- Leave of Absence (1 speech)
by leave—I move: That leave of absence be granted to Senator Paterson for today, 2 September 2025, and Senator Chandler, for 3 and 4 September 2025, for personal reasons. Question agreed to.
- Consideration of Legislation (1 speech)
At the request of Senator Gallagher, I move: That the provisions of paragraphs (5) to (8) of standing order 111 not apply to the Home Affairs Legislation Amendment (2025 Measures No. 1) Bill...
- Committees (0 speeches)
- Public Works Joint Committee; Reference (1 speech)
At the request of Senator Gallagher, I move government business notices of motion Nos. 2 to 7 together: GOVERNMENT BUSINESS NOTICE OF MOTION NO. 2 That, in accordance with the provisions of the...
- 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 Minster for Industry and Innovation, by no later than 9 am on Monday, 8 September 2025, all written and electronic...
- Australian Bureau of Statistics; Order for the Production of Documents (1 speech)
I move: That there be laid on the table by the Minister representing the Treasurer, by no later than 5 pm on Friday, 19 September 2025, a summary, presented in the same format as the 'Household...
- Economics References Committee; 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 representing the Treasurer, by no later than midday on Thursday, 4 September 2025, the government...
- Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water; Order for the Production of Documents (1 speech)
At the request of Senator Dean Smith, I move: That the Senate— (a) notes that: (i) the response to order for the production of documents no. 100, relating to the release of all volumes of...
- Climate Change Authority; Order for the Production of Documents (1 speech)
I seek leave to amend general business notice of motion No. 143. Leave granted. I move the motion as amended: That the Senate— (a) notes that: (i) order for the production of documents no....
- Committees (0 speeches)
- Notices (0 speeches)
- Postponement (1 speech)
I seek leave to postpone business of the Senate notice of motion No. 82 until Wednesday 3 September 2025. Leave granted.
- Documents (0 speeches)
- Business (0 speeches)
- Consideration of Legislation (1 speech)
At the request of Senator Henderson, I move: (1) That so much of the standing orders be suspended as would prevent this resolution having effect. (2) That the Commission of Inquiry into...
- Committees (0 speeches)
- Economics References Committee; Reference (2 speeches)
I remind senators that yesterday at 6.30 pm a vote was deferred relating to an amendment moved by Senator Askew to a motion to refer a matter to the Economics References Committee. I understand...
- Matters of Public Importance (0 speeches)
- Aged Care (17 speeches)
Order! Senator Colbeck has submitted a proposal, under standing order 75, today, as shown at item 15 of today's Order of Business: Labor's inaction and broken promises have left more than 200,000...
- Housing (14 speeches)
Senator Tyrrell has submitted a proposal, shown as item 15 on today's Order of Business: That the actions taken by the government to address housing shortages are insufficient in achieving its...
- Motions (0 speeches)
- Committees (0 speeches)
- Ministerial Statements (0 speeches)
- Agriculture (2 speeches)
On behalf of the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry, Ms Collins, I table a statement concerning agriculture.
- Documents (0 speeches)
- Committees (0 speeches)
- Bills (0 speeches)
- Business (0 speeches)
- Consideration of Legislation (16 speeches)
I move: (1) That so much of the standing orders be suspended as would prevent this resolution having effect. (2) That the Sex Discrimination Amendment (Acknowledging Biological Reality) Bill 2024...
- Committees (0 speeches)
- Economics References Committee; Reference (3 speeches)
I'm here to speak today on the economics of mass immigration. This is not a discussion about immigrants. Immigrants have been part of Australia's story for hundreds of years and are as much a...
- Bills (0 speeches)
- Adjournment (0 speeches)
- Dementia (1 speech)
I rise this evening to thank once again Dementia Australia and all the MPs and senators who attended the Parliamentary Friends of Dementia event here today at Parliament House, along with my new...
- Small Business (1 speech)
To pay suppliers or to pay their child's school fees, to pay their own superannuation or to buy more stock, to pay the extra staffing hours so that they can attend their child's dance performance...
- Middle East, Afghanistan, Pakistan, Tibet (1 speech)
In August, a united cross-section of Jewish, Christian, Muslim and secular Australians published a statement demanding action for Gaza—people of different faiths and backgrounds working...
- Free Debate (1 speech)
It's time we discussed the quality of debate in this country. A healthy democracy depends on free discussion and the contest of ideas. But increasingly we see attempts to shut down debate with...
- Agriculture Industry (1 speech)
Farmers in Western Australia and all of Australia are under attack. They are bullied from pillar to post by every level of government, by crazy climate zealots and by radical animal activists....
- Medicare: Dental Health (1 speech)
In this country, we face a quiet crisis—a crisis where too many people cannot afford to go to the dentist. The Greens have been clear: the mouth is part of the body. Dental care should be...
- Vietnam Veterans' Day (1 speech)
On 18 August I was honoured with the opportunity to represent the coalition at a Vietnam Veterans' Day remembrance service alongside dignitaries and retired Vietnam War servicemen and women. It...
- Veterinary Workforce (1 speech)
From 2022 to 2023, Australian livestock and livestock products brought in over $32 billion. From King Island to Cairns, that's a lot of pork on your fork or steak on your plate. Seriously,...
- Newcastle Airport (1 speech)
There's been a lot of talk in this chamber over the last 48 hours about scrutiny and transparency. I'm going to talk about a very strange thing tonight: that one time the government got it right....
- South Australia: Marine Environment (1 speech)
The seas of my state have been taken over by an algal bloom on an unprecedented scale. It's a disaster of national significance that demands a national response. While our scientists are...
- Taxation (1 speech)
Taxation: we glance down at our tax receipts, we glance down at our payslips when they arrive and we all have a slight momentary pause, a hesitation, at the amount of tax we are...
- Senate Estimates: Indigenous Affairs (9 speeches)
What we saw from the Albanese Labor government last week was nothing short of shameful. With the Greens at their side—yes, the Australian Greens—Labor slammed the door on...
- Tasmania Police (1 speech)
Since I stood up in the Senate last July and talked about the tragic case of Eden Westbrook and what happened to be a botched investigation by Tasmania Police, my office has been contacted by...
- Multicultural Queensland Awards, Papua New Guinea Independence Day, Jina Amini Commemoration Day, Bellos, Sergeant Dimitrios (Jim) (1 speech)
I was delighted on Friday 29 August 2025 to attend the Multicultural Queensland Awards night, attended by the Hon. Fiona Simpson MP, the Minister for Multicultural Affairs, and many...
- Immigration, COVID-19: Vaccination (1 speech)
'Immigration without assimilation is an invasion.' So read the T-shirt that a lovely, older immigrant lady wore in the Cairns March for Australia on Sunday. Many of the tens of thousands of...
- Reynolds, Ms Linda Karen, CSC (1 speech)
I rise in support of former Western Australian senator and my very good friend the Hon. Linda Reynolds CSC. Last week, after four and a half years, Linda was finally and fully vindicated by the...
