Senate debates
Wednesday, 26 November 2025
- Committees (0 speeches)
- Meeting (1 speech)
If there is no objection, the meetings are so authorised.
- Business (0 speeches)
- Consideration of Legislation (1 speech)
by leave—I move: That the Plebiscite (Future Migration Level) Bill 2018 be considered at the time for private senators' bills today. Question agreed to.
- Bills (0 speeches)
- Statements by Senators (0 speeches)
- Albanese Government (8 speeches)
If 2025 has proven anything, it is this: our political system is designed to fail ordinary people. Instead of fixing that broken system, the Albanese Labor government has spent the past year...
- International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women (1 speech)
Well, wasn't that just a bit of entertainment for the afternoon, to brighten things up on a Wednesday! I rise to speak on the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women and...
- Domestic and Family Violence (1 speech)
We mark the 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence knowing that violence against women is not a series of isolated tragedies in our country. Statistically, the most reliable way to...
- Valedictory (1 speech)
As we reach the end of the parliamentary year, I stand to express my profound gratitude to the Canberrans and members of the Australian community who make my work possible. As a community backed...
- Make Amazon Pay Campaign (1 speech)
It is a mark of decent societies that they recognise that the market for human labour is different to other markets, because labour is not a commodity. The main objects of labour law and the...
- Albanese Government (1 speech)
The Albanese Labor government, since we were re-elected in May, have continued to work in the interest of Australians. I want to take this opportunity to highlight some of the things that we've...
- Critical and Strategic Minerals Industry (1 speech)
Acting Deputy President, I'm sure you know that, recently, Australia and the United States signed a new bilateral framework to secure supply chains in critical minerals and rare earths. It's a...
- Renewable Energy (1 speech)
Asbestos has been found in the brake pads in the shaft of wind turbines at Cattle Hill wind farm in Tasmania. It's another catastrophe in an unregulated wind turbine industry. Goldwind is a...
- Cybersafety (1 speech)
There are now just 14 days until the social media ban. That world-leading reform is due to hit our screens. On bus stops and online, we're seeing a big advertising spend on this policy in the...
- Liberal-National Coalition (4 speeches)
I was watching Niki Savva on the weekend talking about the challenges that are being faced by those opposite. I think it's time they turned their frowns upside down.
- Australian Parliament (1 speech)
What a disappointment we missed out on that spiel from Senator Ayres! Anyway, we'll get on with the real stuff. It actually leads me into the point I want to make today, which is that Australian...
- 4 Season Company (1 speech)
On a much brighter note, it was my absolute pleasure to attend the official opening of 4 Season Company's latest supplement warehouse in Bangkok last week. 4 Season Australia has been investing...
- Tasmania: Aged Care (1 speech)
Right now, more than 90 Tasmanians lie stranded in state hospitals. The key? They're too healthy to be there. Let me rephrase that. Right now, over 90 medically fit Tasmanians who are ready to be...
- Housing (1 speech)
Australia is in the middle of the worst housing shortage in our nation's modern history. Rents are soaring, vacancy rates have collapsed and home ownership, once a realistic goal for young...
- Make Amazon Pay Campaign (1 speech)
I want to talk about making Amazon pay. Why is that? It's because Amazon is destroying Australian jobs and Australian businesses. In 2025, Amazon has continued its shameful record of unionbusting...
- Freedom of Speech (1 speech)
Last week, Australians witnessed a terrifying demonstration of where our future lies under this Labor-Greens government, which implemented policy that the Morrison government initiated. It's a...
- Child Care (1 speech)
Last week, I visited Tanya at the Abracadabra family day-care centre in Spreyton. Tanya's been operating there for 25 years, and for a large proportion of that time she has been operating under a...
- Australian of the Year Awards: Tasmania (1 speech)
Last week, I had the pleasure of attending the Australian of the Year Awards for Tasmania. Every nominee had a story that spoke to courage, community and quiet determination. I want to...
- Crime (1 speech)
In the latest assault on black and brown kids, the Allan Labor government wants to lock up 14-year-olds for life. This announcement came soon after the Australian Youth Representative to the UN,...
- Energy (1 speech)
Recently, I was in the market for a new air conditioner when I came across an acronym I had never seen before—DRED, Demand Response Enabling Device. Spoiler: it's as bad as it sounds. I...
- Amazon (1 speech)
When companies are so strongly opposed to unions, it's often because they've got something to hide. Amazon, the second-largest online retailer in Australia, is one of the worst offenders when it...
- Sudan (1 speech)
I rise today to again express my deep sorrow and unwavering solidarity with the Sudanese Australian community. Across this country, people are watching in anguish as their loved ones suffer...
- Indigenous Australians: Cultural Heritage (1 speech)
Let's talk about genocide. Genocide is considered the crime of all crimes—'genos', meaning 'tribe', and 'cide', meaning 'killing'. As Polish Jewish lawyer Raphael Lemkin, who first defined...
- 16 Days of Activism against Gender Based Violence (1 speech)
The annual 16 Days of Activism against Gender Based Violence is underway. The human cost of violence in Australia is catastrophic, immeasurable and increasing. Since this time last year, 74 women...
- Workplace Safety: Women in the Transport Industry (2 speeches)
Can you believe that, right now, in 2025, there are women in Australia who don't have access to a toilet in their workplace? This is a reality for too many women who work in the transport sector,...
- Questions without Notice (0 speeches)
- Economy (17 speeches)
My question is to the Minister representing the Treasurer, Senator Gallagher. This morning, the ABS confirmed that inflation rose to 3.8 per cent in the 12 months to October, an increase from 3.6...
- 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 26th Delegation from the Socialist Republic of Vietnam, led by the Hon....
- Questions without Notice (0 speeches)
- Economy (12 speeches)
My question is to the Minister representing the Treasurer, Senator Gallagher, continuing the theme of her previous answer. Today, the Australian Bureau of Statistics released new consumer price...
- United Nations Climate Change Conference (39 speeches)
My question is to the Minister representing the Minister for Climate Change and Energy, Senator Ayres. On Sunday, the Prime Minister, Minister Wong and Minister Bowen issued a joint media release...
- Australian Constitution (9 speeches)
My question is to the Minister representing the Prime Minister. Minister, more than two centuries since the violent colonisation of First Nations land, we still remain subjects of a British head...
- Cybersafety (8 speeches)
My question is to the Minister representing the Minister for Communications, Senator Farrell. We know social media is having a direct and harmful impact on Australian children, with statistics...
- Migration (10 speeches)
My question is to the Minister representing the Treasurer, Senator Gallagher. Australia's economic growth is built on migration. This reliance on migrants, both skilled and unskilled, is not a...
- Housing (13 speeches)
My question is to the Minister representing the Prime Minister, Senator Wong. On Monday—
- Migration (8 speeches)
My question is to the Minister for Foreign Affairs, Senator Wong. Yesterday it was reported that the Trump administration had instructed US embassies in various countries, including Australia, to...
- Energy (33 speeches)
My question is to the Minister representing the Minister for Climate Change and Energy, Senator Ayres. Twice now voters have backed the Albanese Labor government's commitment to protect the...
- Indigenous Employment (9 speeches)
My question is to the Minister for Indigenous Australians, Senator McCarthy. This month marked the Albanese Labor government delivering on its commitment to abolish the failed Community...
- Questions without Notice: Take Note of Answers (0 speeches)
- Answers to Questions (14 speeches)
I move: That the Senate take note of the answers given by ministers to questions without notice asked by Opposition senators today. I move to take note particularly of those around the inflation...
- Migration (1 speech)
I move: That the Senate take note of the answer given by the Minister for Finance (Senator Gallagher) to a question without notice I asked today relating to migration. I'd first like to thank...
- Notices (0 speeches)
- Presentation (1 speech)
At the request of Senator O'Neill and on behalf of the Standing Committee for the Scrutiny of Delegated Legislation, I give notice of the intention, at the giving of notices on the next day of...
- Postponement; Withdrawal (2 speeches)
At the request of Senator Ruston, I withdraw general business notice of motion No. 286.
- Documents (0 speeches)
- Bills (0 speeches)
- Committees (0 speeches)
- Bills (0 speeches)
- Documents (0 speeches)
- Notices (0 speeches)
- Withdrawal (1 speech)
I ask that general business notice of motion No. 283 be withdrawn.
- Documents (0 speeches)
- Cybersafety Legislation; Order for the Production of Documents (10 speeches)
I move: That there be laid on the table by the Minister representing the Minister for Communications, by no later than 5 pm on Friday, 12 December 2025, copies of all ministerial submissions,...
- Central Land Council; Order for the Production of Documents (5 speeches)
At the request of Senator Liddle, I move: That there be laid on the table by the Minister for Indigenous Australians, by midday on Tuesday, 9 December 2025, all written or digital correspondence,...
- Australian Public Service; Order for the Production of Documents (3 speeches)
On behalf of Senator Paterson, I wish to inform the chamber that Senator David Pocock will also sponsor general business notice of motion No. 288, and I seek leave to amend the motion. Leave...
- Environment: Marine Environment; Order for the Production of Documents (5 speeches)
I move general business notice of motion No. 289, relating to an order for the production of documents—with significantly reduced scope from the last time I introduced it, President: That...
- Gambling; Order for the Production of Documents (3 speeches)
I move: That the Senate— (a) notes that: (i) on 23 July 2025, the Senate agreed to order for the production of documents (OPD) no. 9, which required the Minister representing the Prime...
- Notices (0 speeches)
- Withdrawal (1 speech)
I withdraw general business notice of motion No. 293.
- Documents (0 speeches)
- Committees (0 speeches)
- Business (0 speeches)
- Leave of Absence (1 speech)
by leave—I move: That I be granted leave of absence for 6 November 2025, on account of personal reasons. Question agreed to.
- Matters of Urgency (0 speeches)
- First Speech (0 speeches)
- Bell, Senator Sean (2 speeches)
Pursuant to order, I now call Senator Bell to make his first speech and ask senators that the usual courtesies be extended to him.
- Matters of Urgency (0 speeches)
- Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (3 speeches)
I thank Senator David Pocock and colleagues for moving this important motion on CSIRO. CSIRO is, indeed, a national asset. As it is a peak public institution in this country, devoted to science,...
- Housing (15 speeches)
The Senate will now consider the proposal, under standing order 75, from Senator Roberts, which has been circulated and is shown on the Dynamic Red: Dear President Pursuant to standing order 75,...
- Notices (0 speeches)
- Presentation (1 speech)
by leave—I give notice on the next day of sitting I shall move: That the Senate calls on the Commonwealth government to urgently establish an independent national body to investigate,...
- Committees (0 speeches)
- Documents (0 speeches)
- Bills (0 speeches)
- Regulations and Determinations (0 speeches)
- Adjournment (0 speeches)
