Senate debates

Thursday, 6 November 2025

• Committees (0 speeches)
  • Meeting (1 speech)
    I am very keen for the day to get ahead. If there are no objections, the meetings are authorised.
• Bills (0 speeches)
  • Higher Education Support Amendment (End Dirty University Partnerships) Bill 2025; Second Reading (6 speeches)
    I move: That this bill be now read a second time. This bill comes at a time of crisis—a time where weapons manufacturers pocket billions as tens of thousands are slaughtered in Israel's...
• Statements (0 speeches)
  • Personal Explanation (2 speeches)
    I seek leave to make a personal explanation. Leave granted. Yesterday, in the chamber, speaking to Senator Hume's private senator's bill on superannuation, I misspoke, describing former senator...
• Bills (0 speeches)
  • Criminal Code Amendment (State Sponsors of Terrorism) Bill 2025; Second Reading (8 speeches)
    From the outset, I want to be clear that the Greens support the Criminal Code Amendment (State Sponsors of Terrorism) Bill 2025. We support its core intent. The Greens have been on record for...
  • Criminal Code Amendment (State Sponsors of Terrorism) Bill 2025; In Committee (6 speeches)
    by leave—I move Australian Greens amendments (1) and (2) on sheet 3480 together: (1) Clause 2, page 2 (at the end of the table), add: (2) Page 56 (after line 17), at the end of the Bill,...
  • Criminal Code Amendment (State Sponsors of Terrorism) 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.
• Documents (0 speeches)
  • Attorney-General's Department; Order for the Production of Documents (1 speech)
    I table documents relating to the order of production of documents concerning the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps.
• Committees (0 speeches)
  • Selection of Bills Committee; Report (11 speeches)
    I present the eighth report of the 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—...
• Business (0 speeches)
  • Rearrangement (1 speech)
    I move: That general business notice of motion no. 256 be considered during general business today. Question agreed to.
• Notices (0 speeches)
  • Postponement (1 speech)
    If there is no objection, those matters are agreed to.
• Committees (0 speeches)
  • Community Affairs References Committee; Reference (5 speeches)
    At the request of Senator Ruston, I move: That the following matter be referred to the Community Affairs References Committee for inquiry and report by 29 May 2026: The impact of microplastics,...
• Motions (0 speeches)
  • Sudan (14 speeches)
    At the request of Senators Green, Shoebridge, David Pocock and Scarr, I move: That the Senate— (a) notes with deep concern the recent escalation of violence in Sudan's Darfur region,...
• Business (0 speeches)
  • Consideration of Legislation (2 speeches)
    I move: That the provisions of paragraphs (5) to (8) of standing order 111 not apply to the Customs Tariff Amendment (Geelong Treaty Implementation) Bill 2025, allowing it to be considered during...
• Documents (0 speeches)
  • Waste Management and Recycling; Order for the Production of Documents (5 speeches)
    I move: That there be laid on the table by the Minister for the Environment and Water, by no later than 10 am on Friday, 14 November 2025, any documents, including all correspondence, ministerial...
  • Department of the Treasury; Order for the Production of Documents (5 speeches)
    At the request of Senator Bragg, I move: That the Senate— (a) notes that: (i) order for the production of documents no. 27, agreed to by the Senate on 24 July 2025, requesting that the...
• Business (0 speeches)
  • Withdrawal (103 speeches)
    I seek leave to move a motion to discharge a bill from the Notice Paper as circulated. Leave not granted. Pursuant to contingent notice standing in my name, I move: That so much of standing...
• Statements by Senators (0 speeches)
  • Cybersecurity (1 speech)
    I note that last month was Cyber Security Awareness month, so I wanted to take the opportunity today to raise this incredibly important issue here in the Senate chamber. We know that Australia is...
  • Dismissal of the Whitlam Government: 50th Anniversary (1 speech)
    Next week marks 50 years since the dismissal of a prime minister who transformed Australia. On 11 November 1975, Gough Whitlam stood on the steps of Old Parliament House and told Australians that...
  • Economy (1 speech)
    Last week, Billie Eilish asked: If you're a billionaire, why are you a billionaire? That's so true, Billie. Here in little old Australia, we are home to over 160 billionaires. Gina Rinehart is...
  • South Australia: Marine Environment (1 speech)
    Although still open for business, some SA coastal communities remain captured by uncertainty in relation to the algal bloom. Fishers, seafood processors, tourism operators and small family...
  • Orygen (1 speech)
    Recent research shows that nearly 40 per cent of young people deal with mental health experiences. That's almost one in two young people. That is why I would like to speak about an Australian...
  • Solar Sharer Offer (1 speech)
    I'd like to associate myself with Senator Walker's remarks and thank Orygen for the great work that they do. I rise today to talk about the Solar Sharer Offer that the government has announced,...
  • Australia Post (1 speech)
    I take this opportunity to note in the Senate the extraordinary work of the Milson's Point community which was able to band together and save its post office. There was an amazing campaign led by...
  • Road Transport Industry (1 speech)
    Yesterday I was so proud to host a roundtable here in this building with the elite of the Australian road transport industry, who were in attendance to talk about sham contracting and tax...
  • Sudan (1 speech)
    I stand in solidarity with the Sudanese communities, including the proud community in my home of Victoria—one of the largest Sudanese diasporas outside of Africa. I want to acknowledge the...
  • Phoenix Support & Advocacy Service (1 speech)
    A few weeks ago I had the privilege of meeting Louise Lamont and Jay Wright from Phoenix Support & Advocacy Service, a small but extraordinary WA organisation that has supported adult...
  • Energy (1 speech)
    This week the National Party did what we have been doing for over a century. We took action, showed leadership and proposed to the Australian people a cheaper, better and fairer plan to power our...
  • Protests (1 speech)
    When did Australia become a country where you can march with radical Islamists on the Sydney Harbour Bridge and burn the Australian flag, but you're not allowed to wave one in a park, protesting...
  • Housing (1 speech)
    I rise to speak about the housing crisis. In the past year, rents around Australia have risen between seven and 14 per cent—in a single year. That's two to four times the rate of increase...
  • National Disability Insurance Scheme (1 speech)
    I rise to echo a commonly spoken sentiment—the NDIS is fundamentally broken. It was meant to change lives, but, right now, too many Australians aren't receiving the help they need—the...
  • Wages and Salaries (1 speech)
    The AWU and MEU have been fighting for years for Queensland mine workers to get a fair day's pay for a fair day's work. Thanks to Labor's same job, same pay legislation, it is finally payday for...
• Questions without Notice (0 speeches)
  • Economy (8 speeches)
    My question is to the Minister representing the Treasurer, Senator Gallagher, who's already ready to go, I see! Warren Hogan, an economist at Judo Bank, said on the ABC's 7.30 on Tuesday night:...
• Distinguished Visitors (0 speeches)
  • Acknowledgement (1 speech)
    I draw to the attention of honourable senators the presence in the gallery of the Australian Political Exchange Council's 37th Delegation from the United States of America, led by the honourable...
• Questions without Notice (0 speeches)
  • Albanese Government (12 speeches)
    My question is to the Minister representing the Prime Minister, Senator Wong. The Albanese Labor government is focused on the things that Australians are focused on—providing cost-of-living...
  • Wages and Salaries (16 speeches)
    My question is to the Minister representing the Treasurer, Minister Gallagher. In his statement on Tuesday, Minister, the Treasurer defended the government's economic policies by noting that real...
  • United Nations Climate Change Conference (8 speeches)
    My question is to the Minister representing the Prime Minister, Senator Wong. It looks increasingly unlikely that Australia's bid to host COP31 with Pacific nations will be successful. No...
  • Economy (8 speeches)
    My question is to the Minister representing the Treasurer, Senator Gallagher. As the world embarks on the biggest economic transformation since the Industrial Revolution, only Labor is protecting...
  • Fraud (8 speeches)
    My question is to the Minister representing the Assistant Treasurer, Senator Gallagher. Minister, Australians reported more than 108,000 scams and financial losses of about $174 million to the...
  • Crime: Illicit Tobacco (12 speeches)
    My question is to the Minister representing the Minister for Home Affairs, Senator Watt. Given the rapid acceleration in the illicit tobacco trade in the years of the Albanese government and all...
  • Economy (8 speeches)
    My question is to the Minister for Finance, Minister Gallagher. We got some very bad news this week from the RBA. Inflation is at the top of the target band and moving upwards, unemployment is up...
  • Renewable Energy (7 speeches)
    My question is to the Minister representing the Minister for Climate Change and Energy, Senator Ayres. Energy has always been the foundation of Australian industries' international competitive...
  • Roads (30 speeches)
    I am shooketh, President! My question is to the Minister representing the Minister for Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government, Senator McAllister. The government has...
  • Environment (25 speeches)
    My question is to the Minister for the Environment and Water, Senator Watt. Today is a landmark day for the environment in Australia. The Albanese Labor government's environmental law reforms are...
• Questions without Notice: Additional Answers (0 speeches)
  • Climate Change (1 speech)
    I will just add, if I may, to an answer that I gave Senator Waters. I'm sorry I didn't get an opportunity to give you a heads-up, Senator. I think you asserted Minister Bowen is not going to...
• Documents (0 speeches)
  • 2023-24 Survey of Income and Housing, Australian Bureau of Statistics; Order for the Production of Documents (2 speeches)
    This is an attendance required by a motion in this place for an order for the production of documents. On 17 July the ABS announced it would not release statistics from the 2023-24 Survey of...
• Questions without Notice: Take Note of Answers (0 speeches)
  • Answers to Questions (21 speeches)
    I move: That the Senate take note of answers to all questions asked by coalition senators during questions without notice today. In moving that motion, I want to start with the question that I...
  • United Nations Climate Change Conference (3 speeches)
    I move: That the Senate take note of the answer given by the Minister representing the Prime Minister (Senator Wong) to a question without notice asked by Senator Waters today relating to climate...
• Committees (0 speeches)
  • Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade References Committee; Report (1 speech)
    I present the report of the Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade Reference Committee on the National Volunteer Incentive Scheme, together with accompanying documents. I move: That the Senate take...
  • National Disability Insurance Scheme Joint Committee; Report (1 speech)
    On behalf of the Chair of the Joint Standing Committee on the National Disability Insurance Scheme, I present the report of the committee on the NDIS participant experience in rural, regional and...
  • Legal and Constitutional Affairs Legislation Committee; Report (1 speech)
    At the request of the Chair of the Legal and Constitutional Affairs Legislation Committee, I present the report of the committee on the provisions of the Administrative Review Tribunal and Other...
  • Economics Legislation Committee; Additional Information (1 speech)
    I present additional information received by the Economics Legislation Committee relating to estimates.
  • National Disability Insurance Scheme Joint Committee; Report (1 speech)
    I move: That the Senate take note of the report. I seek leave to continue my remarks later. Leave granted; debate adjourned.
  • Community Affairs References Committee, Education and Employment Legislation Committee; Government Response to Report (1 speech)
    I present two government responses to committee reports as listed on today's Order of Business. In accordance with the usual practice, I seek leave to incorporate the documents in Hansard. Leave...
• Auditor-General's Reports (0 speeches)
  • Report No. 2 of 2025-26 (3 speeches)
    I move: That the Senate take note of the document. The National Disability Insurance Scheme Quality and Safeguards Commission is the only regulatory body that over 700,000 NDIS participants can...
  • International Relations: Australia and Nauru, Department of Industry, Science and Resources, National Reconstruction Fund Corporation, Order for the Production of Documents (1 speech)
    I table documents relating to orders for the production of documents concerning resettling arrangements for Nauru, ministerial submissions by the Department of Industry Science and Resources, and...
• Committees (0 speeches)
  • Intergenerational Housing Inequity Select Committee, Operation of the Capital Gains Tax Discount — Select Committee, Productivity in Australia Select Committee; Membership (2 speeches)
    The President has received letters nominating senators to be members of committees.
• Bills (0 speeches)
  • Customs Tariff Amendment (Geelong Treaty Implementation) Bill 2025, Defence Amendment (Parliamentary Joint Committee on Defence) 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 Tariff Amendment (Geelong Treaty Implementation) Bill 2025, Defence Amendment (Parliamentary Joint Committee on Defence) 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— CUSTOMS TARIFF...
  • Regulatory Reform Omnibus Bill 2025; First Reading (1 speech)
    I'm tempted to move that it be read out loud, but I move: That this bill may proceed without formalities and be now read a first time. Question agreed to. Bill read a first time.
  • Regulatory Reform Omnibus Bill 2025; Second Reading (1 speech)
    I table a revised explanatory memorandum relating to the bill, and I move: That this bill be now read a second time. I seek leave to have the second reading speech incorporated in Hansard. Leave...
• Motions (0 speeches)
  • Aged Care Act 2024 (3 speeches)
    I move: That the Senate notes that the Aged Care Act 2024 reforms introduced on 1 November 2025 will not address the unacceptable delays in accessing aged care services, insufficient home care...
• Committees (0 speeches)
  • Information Integrity on Climate Change and Energy — Select Committee; Membership (1 speech)
    by leave—I move: That Senator Cox replace Senator Ananda-Rajah on the Select Committee on Information Integrity on Climate Change and Energy on 13 November 2025 and Senator Ananda-Rajah be...
• Adjournment (0 speeches)
  • Workplace Safety (1 speech)
    I rise tonight to speak about an issue that goes to the very heart of Labor's values: protecting workers and ensuring safe workplaces. Across Australia, and particularly in my home state of...
  • Dosanjh, Mr Diljit, Social Cohesion (1 speech)
    First, I must say that I wasn't aware that Senator Polley had managed to collect a stray hair from one of my combs and do a DNA test on me, but there you go. I want to thank Punjabi popstar...
  • Bhutan Festival, Goods and Services Tax (1 speech)
    In Perth on Tuesday, there will be an important event, a celebration even. It's called Bhutan Festival 2025, and it will take place in the heart of the Perth central business district. Although I...