Senate debates
Wednesday, 3 September 2025
- Committees (0 speeches)
- Meeting (1 speech)
If there is no objection, the meetings are authorised.
- Bills (0 speeches)
- Statements by Senators (0 speeches)
- Australian Society (1 speech)
I know that the last few days caused a great deal of hurt and harm in the Australian community. The public displays of hate, the violence, the Neo-Nazis, the trumpeting of division—this is...
- Women's Health Week (1 speech)
I rise today during Women's Health Week to reflect on the progress we are making and the challenges that remain when it comes to women's health, safety and wellbeing in this country. This week is...
- National Flag (17 speeches)
Today is National Flag Day. On 29 April 1901 Australia's first prime minister, Edmund Barton, announced a competition to design our federal flag. Despite there being only 32 days to submit...
- Forestry Industry, Biodiversity (1 speech)
Tasmania's forests are some of the most carbon-dense in the world. They are also, of course, beautiful, worthy of protection for their intrinsic values and worthy of protection just for their own...
- Artificial Intelligence (1 speech)
Only a few technological advancements have revolutionised the world as we know it: the telephone in the 19th century, the computer in the mid-20th century, the internet and later the smartphone...
- Early Childhood Education (1 speech)
Today I'd like to give a shout-out. We all know the vital role of early childhood educators across Australia. I want to explain why the sector deserves significantly more investment and support....
- Workplace Relations: Qantas (1 speech)
I wish to share a couple of figures with the Senate before I go to the crux of my conversation. I want to remind senators and anyone listening that, on 8 October 2024, Qantas was ordered by the...
- Aboriginal Deaths in Custody (1 speech)
Every time I walk into this building there are more Aboriginal deaths in custody. This year there have been 23 that we know of. In the last month alone there were 10. Since the Royal Commission...
- Women's Health (1 speech)
Under this Labor government, women's health is finally being taken seriously. That's what happens when you have a majority-women caucus and when you have a government that listens to women. When...
- Education (2 speeches)
I'm going to provide a window into the feelings of one of our teachers: Dear Senator Hanson, I'm writing as a passionate, frontline educator who's fed up. The 2025 changes to the Western...
- March for Australia (1 speech)
The March for Australia was an overwhelmingly peaceful event held across Australian capital cities last weekend, and 99.9 per cent of attendees were there for the right reasons, expressing their...
- Youth: Genomic Testing (1 speech)
I have a genetic heart condition called familial hypercholesterolaemia, which affects one in 200 Australians and causes early heart attacks, even in very young people. Recently, a DNA screening...
- National Student Referendum on Palestine (1 speech)
Uni students have been showing up for Palestine from the very beginning. They have always been at the forefront of movements for social justice or for climate justice. While their universities...
- National Flag (1 speech)
Today is National Flag Day, and I want to say a few words about why I think our flag is so beautiful. It is National Flag Day today because on this day in 1901 the first Australian prime...
- Men's Health (1 speech)
Men's health is a vital topic, often overlooked in the rush of daily life. This Father's Day, let's make a priority to reach out to our fathers, our brothers, our grandfathers and our uncles and...
- Housing (1 speech)
Homelessness in my birthplace, India, is a national scandal. Close to two million people are living on the streets—children, women and the elderly—vulnerable to violence and disease....
- Launceston Benevolent Society (1 speech)
Working families and, indeed, all Australians continue to be failed by this Albanese Labor government. Recently I had the opportunity to visit the Launceston Benevolent Society in my home state...
- RSL Veterans Ball 2025 (1 speech)
The RSL Veterans Ball 2025 in Victoria was a very memorable night and I was very honoured to be there. I was also honoured to see the strength of service and the spirit of Victoria's veteran...
- Climate Change: Fossil Fuel Industries (1 speech)
In the last term of government, Labor approved more than 30 new coal and gas projects in Australia. Today we find out that Minister Watt has just approved a 20-year extension to Glencore's Ulan...
- National Flag Day, Australia: Atheism and Christianity (1 speech)
Obviously today is National Flag Day. How good is that? St George's cross, St Andrew's cross, St Patrick's cross and of course the almighty Southern Cross—four crosses. But that's not what...
- Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (1 speech)
When I talk to Tasmanians about the cost of living, I hear directly that managing the cost of medicines has been a real issue for them. Whether it's treating their child's illness or managing...
- Robbins Island and Jim's Plain Wind (1 speech)
There are some in Tasmania popping the champagne corks over Minister Watt's approval of the Robbins Island wind farm proposal. I am not one of them. Firstly, it is in the wrong place, and,...
- Camp Sovereignty (1 speech)
Camp Sovereignty is a peaceful, sacred, spiritual place that brings people together for healing. It is our place of worship. We've seen the attacks by the racist Neo-Nazi groups—the hate...
- Papua New Guinea: 50th Anniversary of Independence (1 speech)
I rise to warmly congratulate Papua New Guinea this month on celebrating its 50th anniversary of independence. Papua New Guinea achieved full independence on 16 September 1975. The celebrations...
- Gender and Sexual Orientation (1 speech)
This week the South Australian parliament will recognise the 50th anniversary of my home state becoming the first place in Australia to decriminalise male homosexuality. The push for...
- Statement by the President (0 speeches)
- Parliamentary Standards (1 speech)
Before we go to question time, I am going to make a short statement on a matter that the Deputy President referred to me. The Deputy President referred a matter to me arising out of senators'...
- Questions without Notice (0 speeches)
- Aged Care (16 speeches)
My question is to the Minister representing the Minister for Aged Care and Seniors. The coalition has dragged Labor kicking and screaming today to deliver all of the 83,000 home-care packages...
- Distinguished Visitors (0 speeches)
- Questions without Notice (0 speeches)
- Women's Health (8 speeches)
My question is to the Minister for Women, Senator Gallagher. This week is Women's Health Week. Minister, we know for too long women's health has been ignored. Can you expand on how the Albanese...
- National Security (8 speeches)
My question is to the Minister representing the Prime Minister, Senator Wong. There are reports that a number of individuals associated with the Islamic State terrorist group, ISIS, will be...
- Middle East (8 speeches)
My question is to Minister Wong. Minister, since dawn today, Israel has starved 13 more Palestinians and killed 105. Babies are withering away from Israel's man-made starvation, and people are...
- Low-Cost Essentials Subsidy Scheme (8 speeches)
My question is to the Minister for Indigenous Australians, Senator McCarthy. We know food prices and availability are major issues for remote First Nations communities. The Albanese Labor...
- Pensions and Benefits (8 speeches)
My question is for the Minister representing the Minister for Social Services, Senator Gallagher. Last Wednesday, I raised the question on the unfair classification of twin births as a single...
- National Security (8 speeches)
My question is to the Minister representing the Prime Minister, Senator Wong. Senator, I refer to Senator Cash's previous question and reports about the proposed return from Syria to Australia of...
- Sexual Assault (8 speeches)
My question is to the Minister representing the Minister for Transport, Senator McCarthy. The ABC published a report today exposing shocking numbers of sexual assault committed by predatory...
- Early Childhood Education (8 speeches)
My question is to the Minister for Early Childhood Education, Senator Walsh. Today is Early Childhood Educators Day. It recognises the vital contribution early childhood educators make every...
- Renewable Energy (16 speeches)
My question is to the Minister representing the Minister for Climate Change and Energy, Senator Ayres. Yesterday, the energy minister recommitted to Labor's goal of reaching 82 per cent renewable...
- Cybersafety (8 speeches)
My question is to the Minister representing the Minister for Communications, Senator Farrell. I refer to the Albanese Labor government's ongoing commitment to online safety and the delivery of...
- Medical Workforce (11 speeches)
My question is to the minister representing the Minister for Education, Senator Walsh. Before the last election, the Prime Minister promised that he would introduce paid prac for future nurses,...
- Questions without Notice: Additional Answers (0 speeches)
- Russia (1 speech)
I have an update to a question from Senator Lambie. I took some questions on notice in relation to Russian oil imports and I've written to the senator to provide additional information. I table...
- Statements (0 speeches)
- Questions without Notice: Additional Answers (0 speeches)
- Housing (1 speech)
In question time on 26 August 2025, Senator Wong undertook to provide further information in response to questions about housing asked of her by Senator Bragg in her capacity as the Minister...
- Documents (0 speeches)
- Questions without Notice: Take Note of Answers (0 speeches)
- Answers to Questions (11 speeches)
I move: That the Senate take note of all answers given by ministers to questions without notice asked by opposition senators today. In particular, I would like to address the issue of the report...
- Middle East (2 speeches)
I move: That the Senate take note of the answer given by the Minister for Foreign Affairs (Senator Wong) to a question without notice I asked today relating to the Middle East. In August alone,...
- Business (0 speeches)
- Rearrangement (1 speech)
by leave—I move: To move—That— (a) following the consideration of the Aged Care and Other Legislation Amendment Bill 2025 and related bill or at 7.15 pm, whichever is later,...
- Motions (0 speeches)
- Australian National Flag (47 speeches)
I seek leave to move a motion relating the Australian flag, as circulated. Leave not granted. Pursuant to contingent notice of motion standing in my name, I move: That so much of the standing...
- Business (0 speeches)
- Leave of Absence (1 speech)
by leave—I move: That leave of absence be granted to the following senators: (a) Senator Paterson for today, 3 September 2025, for personal reasons; and (b) Senator McDonald, for 3 and 4...
- Documents (0 speeches)
- Attorney-General's Department; Order for the Production of Documents (1 speech)
I move: That there be laid on the table by the Minister representing the Attorney-General, by no later than 5 pm on Friday, 12 September 2025: (a) copies of all letters, briefing notes, meeting...
- Clean Energy Finance Corporation; Order for the Production of Documents (1 speech)
I move: That there be laid on the table by the Minister representing the Minister for Climate Change and Energy, by no later than 5 pm on Friday, 12 September 2025: (a) copies of all letters,...
- Department of Health, Disability and Ageing; Order for the Production of Documents (1 speech)
I move: That there be laid on the table by the Minister representing the Minister for Aged Care and Seniors, by no later than midday on 4 September 2025, any advice, submissions, emails, briefing...
- Department of Industry, Science and Resources; Order for the Production of Documents (1 speech)
At the request of Senator Bragg, I move: That— (a) the Senate notes that order for the production of documents no. 83, agreed to on 26 August 2025, requiring the Minister for Industry and...
- Notices (0 speeches)
- Withdrawal (1 speech)
At the request of Senator Bragg, I withdraw general business notice of motion No. 154.
- Documents (0 speeches)
- Attorney-General's Department; Order for the Production of Documents (1 speech)
I move: That there be laid on the table by the Minister representing the Attorney-General, by no later than 5 pm on Friday, 12 September 2025, copies of all letters, briefing notes, meeting...
- National Climate Risk Assessment and National Adaptation Plan; Order for the Production of Documents (4 speeches)
I move: That— (a) the Senate notes that: (i) order for the production of documents no. 57, relating to the National Climate Risk Assessment and National Adaptation Plan, has not been...
- Question Time; Order for the Production of Documents (1 speech)
I move: That there be laid on the table by the Minister representing the Minister for Aged Care and Seniors, by no later than midday on 4 September 2025, the question time brief and/or any other...
- National Priority System; Order for the Production of Documents (1 speech)
At the request of Senator Ruston, I move: That— (a) there be laid on the table by the Minister representing the Minister for Aged Care, by no later than 10 am on Thursday, 4 September 2025,...
- Freedom of Information Laws; Order for the Production of Documents (1 speech)
At the request of Senator Shoebridge, I move: (1) That the Senate notes that: (a) in accordance with Senate resolution 44, government responses to committee reports are required to be tabled...
- Committees (0 speeches)
- Notices (0 speeches)
- Withdrawal (1 speech)
I withdraw general business notice of motion No. 82 standing in my name, regarding the final report of the HMAS Darwin Man Overboard Board of Inquiry, due to an undertaking received by the...
- Documents (0 speeches)
- Notices (0 speeches)
- Withdrawal (1 speech)
I withdraw general business notice of motion No. 157 standing in my name for today.
- Documents (0 speeches)
- Business (0 speeches)
- Consideration of Legislation (1 speech)
I remind senators that yesterday evening two votes were deferred, as listed at item 16 on today's Order of Business, as well as a vote relating to the Home Affairs Legislation Amendment (2025...
- Committees (0 speeches)
- Economics References Committee; Reference (1 speech)
I will now deal with the deferred vote relating to a proposed reference to the Senate Economics References Committee moved by Senator Roberts. The question is that the motion be agreed to.
- Bills (0 speeches)
- Matters of Urgency (0 speeches)
- Australian National Flag (29 speeches)
Senator Hanson has submitted a proposal, under standing order 75, today, which has been circulated and is shown on the Dynamic Red: The need for the Senate to take immediate action to make it an...
- Matters of Public Importance (0 speeches)
- Energy (9 speeches)
Senator Dean Smith has submitted a proposal, under standing order 75, today, which has been circulated and is shown on the Dynamic Red: The Australian Energy Infrastructure Commissioner's 2024...
- Bills (0 speeches)
- Business (0 speeches)
- Rearrangement (2 speeches)
I move: That on Thursday, 4 September 2025: (a) the questions on all remaining stages of the following bills be put at 1 pm: (i) Home Affairs Legislation Amendment (2025 Measures No. 1) Bill...
