Senate debates
Thursday, 5 February 2026
- Committees (0 speeches)
- Meeting (1 speech)
If there is no objection, the meeting is authorised.
- Bills (0 speeches)
- Committees (0 speeches)
- Business (0 speeches)
- Rearrangement (1 speech)
I move: That general business notice of motion no. 359 standing in the name of Senator Henderson, relating to the cost of living, be considered during general business today. Question agreed to.
- Notices (0 speeches)
- Postponement (1 speech)
If there is no objection, the business is postponed.
- Business (0 speeches)
- Leave of Absence (1 speech)
by leave—I move: That leave of absence be granted to the following senators: (a) Senator Polley for 19 January to 20 January 2026, for personal reasons; (b) Senator McCarthy for 5 February...
- Motions (0 speeches)
- Iran (1 speech)
I seek leave to move a motion relating to conflict in Iran, as circulated in the Senate, on behalf of Senators Ciccone, Chandler, Smith, Shoebridge and myself and for the motion to be determined...
- Committees (0 speeches)
- Finance and Public Administration Legislation Committee; Reference (2 speeches)
I move: That the following matter be referred to the Finance and Public Administration Legislation Committee for inquiry and report by 24 April 2026: The capacity of the existing legislative...
- Procedure Committee; Reference (1 speech)
I move: That the following matter be referred to the Procedure Committee for inquiry and report by 11 May 2026: The appropriateness of amending standing orders 69, 70 and 71 to allow for the...
- Bills (0 speeches)
- Statements by Senators (0 speeches)
- Energy (1 speech)
Energy bills have become one of the heaviest burdens on Australian families. Everyone I speak to says the same thing. The cost of keeping the lights on, heating and cooling a home, and running a...
- Make-A-Wish Foundation, Cricket Australia (1 speech)
Today I want to speak about a young South Australian named Archie. Archie was born with a serious heart condition. He had open-heart surgery at three months of age, and since then he's had four...
- Cost of Living (1 speech)
Right across the country kids have been going back to school and starting their new year. For families, this should be a time of excitement—first-day photos, new routines, fresh starts. But...
- Albanese Government (1 speech)
With the rise in inflation and interest rates, the Labor government has again delivered Australians more poverty and more pain. There was no turning the corner, as they promised—another...
- Two-Way Taxi Trucks South East Rally (1 speech)
I had the pleasure recently of flagging off the Two-Way Taxi Trucks South East Rally, organised by the Post Vintage Car Club of Tasmania. It was a strong turnout, with more than 68 classic cars...
- Domestic, Family and Sexual Violence (1 speech)
This year six women, including three First Nations women, have been murdered in intimate partner and family violence related homicides. We are less than five weeks into 2026, and already six...
- Crime: Illicit Tobacco (1 speech)
In the last parliament, we came in here and passed health amendment laws that dealt with vaping and illicit tobacco in this country. At that time, I was very concerned that 1.4 million vapers in...
- Tasmania: Australia Day (1 speech)
I rise today to let the Senate know about some of the amazing activities that were going on in the lead-up to and during Australia Day on Tassie's north-west coast. On 23 January I had the...
- Labor Government (1 speech)
Australians woke up this week to another interest rate rise, and they know exactly what that means for their wallets. Mortgage holders are being pushed closer to the edge, and renters are next in...
- Tertiary Education and Training (1 speech)
In answers to questions on notice that I received this week, I learnt that, since the start of 2024, more than 33,000 VET qualifications have been cancelled by the regulator. These cancellations...
- Bondi Beach: Attack, International Relations: Australia and Israel (1 speech)
On 14 December last year we saw some incredible acts of valour and bravery on the beaches at Bondi. One of the clubs I want to recognise today is North Bondi Surf Life Saving Club, inside which...
- One Nation (1 speech)
Well, I'm back. You can kick me out, dismiss me or try to silence me, but you can't stop me, because Australians know I have their back. Growing numbers of Australians now have mine. It's an...
- Economy (1 speech)
Working people are being made to absorb the economic pain caused by extreme wealth in this country. The Reserve Bank has just confirmed what workers across the nation already know: their wages...
- Helium Industry (2 speeches)
In December 2023, the Darwin helium plant closed, and with it Australia lost its helium sovereignty. Overnight, we became completely dependent on imports. Yet, just weeks later, the government...
- Goodstart Early Learning Pakenham (2 speeches)
I was delighted to visit Goodstart Pakenham last month. I want to give a shout-out to Alice Spaulding, their dedicated manager, who cares deeply about running an excellent service for families....
- Ministry (0 speeches)
- Temporary Arrangements (1 speech)
by leave—I advise changes to ministerial arrangements. Senator McCarthy will be absent from question time today due to ministerial business interstate. In her absence, ministers will...
- Questions without Notice (0 speeches)
- Fiscal Policy (23 speeches)
My question is for the Minister for Finance, Senator Gallagher. Yesterday, in the Senate, you said: The highest-spending government was the Howard government … What is the basis for this claim?
- Cost of Living (8 speeches)
My question is to the Minister representing the Prime Minister, Senator Wong. The Albanese Labor government is united and focused on delivering cost-of-living relief, delivering quality health...
- Defence Properties (8 speeches)
My question is to the Minister representing the Minister for Defence, Senator Wong. The president of RSL Tasmania, John Hardy, has described the Albanese government's announcement of a Tasmanian...
- National Anti-Corruption Commission (8 speeches)
My question is to the Minister representing the Attorney-General. On 12 June 2023, Senator Watt, representing the Attorney-General, told the Senate that then justice Brereton would resign his...
- Trade (10 speeches)
My question is to my good friend and Minister for Trade and Tourism Senator Farrell.
- Climate Change (23 speeches)
My question is to the Minister representing the Minister for Resources. In December last year, the Albanese government opened up expressions of interest for 25,000 square kilometres of ocean in...
- Renewable Energy (22 speeches)
My question is to the Minister representing the Prime Minister, Senator Wong. I refer the minister to the government's decision this week to slash interest rates for large companies that borrow...
- Capacity Investment Scheme (16 speeches)
My question is to the Minister representing the Treasurer, Minister Gallagher. The Prime Minister promised 100 per cent renewables would deliver the cheapest form of power. The Capacity...
- Schools (8 speeches)
My question is to the Minister representing the Minister for Education, my good friend Senator Walsh. How is the Albanese Labor government's historic Better and Fairer Schools Agreement...
- Aged Care (19 speeches)
My question is to the Minister representing the Minister for Health and Ageing, Senator McAllister. My office has been contacted by John, whose father is living with dementia and has been waiting...
- Questions without Notice: Additional Answers (0 speeches)
- Capacity Investment Scheme (1 speech)
Further to an answer I gave in question time to Senator Hanson—I said if I had some numbers I would come back to her—I can confirm that, in the 2023-24 budget, $9.9 million over five...
- Documents (0 speeches)
- Housing; Order for the Production of Documents (17 speeches)
The documents in relation to this order for the production of documents are being processed in the usual way, as is outlined in Minister O'Neil's letter to the Senate of 26 November. There are a...
- Questions without Notice: Take Note of Answers (0 speeches)
- Fiscal Policy, Defence Properties (9 speeches)
I move: That the Senate take note of answers given by ministers to questions without notice asked by Senator Paterson and Senator Chandler in question time today. We saw in question time...
- National Anti-Corruption Commission (1 speech)
I move: That the Senate take note of the answer given by the Minister representing the Attorney-General (Senator Farrell) to a question without notice I asked today in relation to the...
- Committees (0 speeches)
- Bills (0 speeches)
- Committees (0 speeches)
- Human Rights Joint Committee; Report (1 speech)
On behalf of the Parliamentary Joint Committee on Human Rights, I present the Human rights scrutiny report 1 of 2026, dated 4 February 2026.
- Scrutiny of Bills Committee; Scrutiny Digest (1 speech)
At the request of Senator Dean Smith, I present Scrutiny digest2 of 2026 of the Standing Committee for the Scrutiny of Bills, dated 4 February 2026, together with ministerial correspondence. I...
- Human Rights Joint Committee; Report (1 speech)
I move: That the Senate take note of the report. Australia likes to think we're set up as a fair country where everyone gets a go, but the truth is that, without a federal human rights act, those...
- Economics Legislation Committee, Rural and Regional Affairs and Transport Legislation Committee, Corporations and Financial Services Joint Committee; Government Response to Report (1 speech)
I present three government responses as listed on today's Order of Business and seek leave to have the documents incorporated in Hansard. Leave granted. The documents read as follows— The...
- Corporations and Financial Services Joint Committee; Government Response to Report (2 speeches)
I move: That the Senate takes note of the document. I will also be referring to the government response on the final report of the Finance and Public Administration References Committee's Inquiry...
- Privileges Committee; Report (1 speech)
I move: That the Senate take note of the report. On Tuesday 28 October last year, I gave an adjournment speech that discussed the governance failings and questionable conduct of the Shire of...
- Petitions (0 speeches)
- Connolly, Mr David (1 speech)
I seek leave to table a non-conforming petition. I believe the whips have been informed. Leave granted. I table a petition from 1,607 signatories calling on the federal government to revoke its...
- Delegation Reports (0 speeches)
- Budget (0 speeches)
- Proposed Expenditure (1 speech)
I am informed by the team from the Department of the Senate that, if I don't proceed with what's on the paper in front of me, estimates may not proceed next week. It's only my commitment to the...
- Portfolio Additional Estimates Statements (2 speeches)
On behalf of the President, I table portfolio additional estimates statements for 2025-26 for the Department of Parliamentary Services.
- Documents (0 speeches)
- Committees (0 speeches)
- Bills (0 speeches)
- Corporations Amendment (Digital Assets Framework) Bill 2025; First Reading (1 speech)
I move: That this bill may proceed without formalities and be now read a first time. Question agreed to. Bill read a first time.
- Corporations Amendment (Digital Assets Framework) Bill 2025; Second Reading (2 speeches)
I move: That this bill be now read a second time. I seek leave to have the second reading speech incorporated in Hansard. Leave granted. The speech read as follows— Financial markets are...
- Copyright Amendment Bill 2026, Corporations (Review Fees) Amendment (Technical Amendments) 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.
- Copyright Amendment Bill 2026, Corporations (Review Fees) Amendment (Technical Amendments) Bill 2025; Second Reading (1 speech)
I table a revised explanatory memorandum relating to Copyright Amendment Bill 2026 and move: That these bills be now read a second time. I seek leave to have the second reading speeches...
- Excise Tariff Amendment (Draught Beer) Bill 2025, Customs Tariff Amendment (Draught Beer) Bill 2025; First Reading (1 speech)
With some joy, 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.
- Excise Tariff Amendment (Draught Beer) Bill 2025, Customs Tariff Amendment (Draught Beer) 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— EXCISE TARIFF...
- Health Legislation Amendment (Prescribing of Pharmaceutical Benefits) Bill 2025, Translating and Interpreting Services 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.
- Health Legislation Amendment (Prescribing of Pharmaceutical Benefits) Bill 2025, Translating and Interpreting Services 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 speech es read as follows— HEALTH...
- Motions (0 speeches)
- Cost of Living (2 speeches)
I move: That the Senate notes: (a) that under the Albanese Labor Government, the cost of everyday essentials has risen sharply—insurance up 39%, power up 38%, rent up 22% and groceries up...
- Adjournment (0 speeches)
- Hall, Mr Geoff, New South Wales: Growing Regions Program (1 speech)
Strong communities require dependable and generous people. Geoff Hall, a longstanding member of the Labor Party in Wagga Wagga, who passed away on 14 January 2026, is being remembered widely as...
- Liberal-National Coalition (1 speech)
I stand here today in the Australian Senate a proud member of the Liberal National Party of Queensland. As a Queensland senator, I strongly believe in the coalition between the Liberal Party and...
- Northern Territory: Domestic and Family Violence (1 speech)
The Northern Territory has the highest rate of domestic violence in the country. Nearly 100 women have been murdered by their partners over the last 25 years. In speaking about domestic violence,...
- Superannuation (1 speech)
Labor governments are reforming governments, grappling with the major challenges facing our nation. Australia's ageing population is one of the major forces that will shape our economy and our...
- Early Childhood Education and Care (2 speeches)
I rise tonight after a visit to a little multi-educator family-day-care facility at Latrobe in Tasmania last week. Addisons family day care has been operating for about 15 years as a...
