Senate debates
Tuesday, 3 March 2026
- Committees (0 speeches)
- Meeting (1 speech)
If there is no objection, the meetings are authorised.
- Motions (0 speeches)
- Australian Defence Force (25 speeches)
() (): I seek leave to move a motion relating to the government's approach to the Australian Defence Force sex discrimination class action as circulated.
- Committees (0 speeches)
- Broadcasting of Parliamentary Proceedings Joint Committee, Community Affairs References Committee, Corporations and Financial Services Joint Committee, Economics Legislation Committee, Economics References Committee, Education and Employment Legislation Committee, Education and Employment References Committee, Finance and Public Administration References Committee, Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade Joint Committee, Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade Legislation Committee, Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade References Committee, Migration Joint Committee, National Disability Insurance Scheme Joint Committee, Parliamentary Library Joint Committee, Parliamentary Standards Joint Committee, Privileges Committee, Procedure Committee, Public Accounts and Audit Joint Committee, Publications Committee, Rural and Regional Affairs and Transport References Committee, Scrutiny of Delegated Legislation Committee, Senators' Interests Committee, Membership (2 speeches)
Order! The President has received letters requesting changes in the membership of various committees.
- Bills (0 speeches)
- Statements by Senators (0 speeches)
- Labor Government (1 speech)
Labor loves to lecture this parliament about transparency and integrity, but, when you follow the money, what you find is scale, secrecy and spin. I reviewed the latest financial disclosures...
- World Heritage Areas: Flinders Ranges (1 speech)
I rise to draw attention to the Albanese government's submission of the Flinders Ranges for consideration for World Heritage listing. Anybody who has been lucky enough to visit this unique part...
- Housing (1 speech)
The housing crisis is putting people through hell. For renters, it's an endless cycle of house inspections, unattended maintenance issues and rent increases, and then it all starts again....
- Ramadan (1 speech)
I rise to wish a blessed Ramadan, or Ramadan Mubarak, to the Muslim community across Australia, who are currently celebrating the holy month. This is a time not only for that community to...
- South Australia: Regional and Suburban University Study Hubs (1 speech)
University isn't for everyone, and it shouldn't have to be, but those for whom it unlocks a life-changing opportunity should have every opportunity to access it and every opportunity to succeed....
- Fuel (1 speech)
Australians are facing higher petrol costs as a result of what is unfolding in Iran. Petrol prices are tipped to jump by 40 cents a litre following the US and Israeli strikes, which is going to...
- Iran (1 speech)
It is very regrettable that our world has become very dangerous in 2026, but the actions taken by the Iranian government against their own people over the last almost 50 years have been some of...
- Medicare (1 speech)
My bulk-billing campaign across Mandurah and the south-west of Western Australia has received hundreds of responses from local residents. They're telling me which GP they attend, how often they...
- Physical and Sexual Harassment and Violence (1 speech)
There is an epidemic damage of violence in this country that shames us all. It's been going on for far too long and it needs to end. We know that gay men are being lured through dating apps into...
- Capital Gains Tax (1 speech)
Budget week is just around the corner, and for a lot of Australians, especially young people, this budget will say one simple thing. Whose side are we on? For Australians who are too busy...
- Energy: Infrastructure (1 speech)
For the last three years, western Victorians have been fighting the Labor Party's reckless renewables agenda. VNI West is a proposed 500-kilometre high-voltage transmission line that will run...
- Capital Gains Tax (1 speech)
With the federal budget bearing down, Labor are cracking, panicking and coming apart at the seams under the weight of their own economic wreckage. The policy leaks are flooding out. They are...
- Energy (3 speeches)
As a senator for the greatest state in Australia, I'm always happy to talk about how Queensland is leading the way. At the weekend, Australia proudly hit a major milestone: a quarter of a million...
- Housing, Taxation (1 speech)
Teamwork makes the dream work, eh! We need to make housing more affordable and fairer, yes. We need to increase supply, particularly through medium-density housing. But we also need to fix the...
- Medicare (1 speech)
Bulk-billing is on the top in Australia in that it is rising, and no example is better than that of Tasmania. The increase means that more Australians—in particular, more...
- Questions without Notice (0 speeches)
- National Security (8 speeches)
My question is to the Minister representing the Prime Minister, Senator Wong. How many temporary exclusion orders in total have been issued under the life of the Albanese government?
- Middle East (8 speeches)
My question is to the Minister for Foreign Affairs, Senator Wong. The current conflict in the Middle East is making an already unstable region even more unstable and unpredictable. Over the last...
- National Security (15 speeches)
My question is to the Minister for Foreign Affairs, Senator Wong. Minister, at Senate estimates hearings on 12 February, during an exchange on the subject of so-called ISIS brides, you said:...
- Social Cohesion (30 speeches)
My question is to the Minister for Foreign Affairs, Minister Wong. Minister, Muslims and migrants of colour are under attack across the country. Racism is rising, women are attacked on the...
- Workplace Relations (8 speeches)
My question is to the Minister for Women, Senator Gallagher. Today, the Workplace Gender Equity Agency released the annual employer gender pay gap data, providing greater transparency about pay...
- Artificial Intelligence (11 speeches)
My question is to the Minister for Industry and Innovation and the Minister for Science. An AI advisory body was promised by former industry minister Ed Husic in 2024 after he appointed an...
- International Relations: Australia and Israel (14 speeches)
My question is to the Minister for Foreign Affairs, Senator Wong. Did Israeli president Isaac Herzog visit ASIO headquarters during the course of his recent trip to Australia?
- Energy (20 speeches)
My question is to the Minister representing the Minister for Climate Change and Energy, Senator Ayres. Yesterday, I asked you to confirm that Australia was entering a period of oil supply...
- Indigenous Australians (8 speeches)
My question is to the Minister for Indigenous Australians, Senator McCarthy. You, in your capacity as the Minister for Indigenous Australians, and the Prime Minister have both made clear in your...
- National Security (18 speeches)
My question is to Minister for Foreign Affairs, Senator Wong. Minister, many Australians now stranded in the Middle East have reportedly been unable to contact consular staff, with emergency...
- Cost of Living (19 speeches)
My question is for the Minister representing the Minister for Employment and Workplace Relations, Senator Watt. Since the election in May 2022, a key priority of the Albanese Labor government has...
- Questions without Notice: Additional Answers (0 speeches)
- Artificial Intelligence (1 speech)
I undertook to Senator Lambie, during question time, to come back on data protections. I can't give an answer for the whole of government, because it depends upon the software that different...
- 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.
- Social Cohesion (1 speech)
I move: That the Senate take note of the Minister for Foreign Affairs's response to Senator Farqui's question today. I want to start by making some general comments about racism in Australia. We...
- Condolences (0 speeches)
- Boswell, Hon. Ronald (Ron) Leslie Doyle, AO (24 speeches)
It is with deep regret that I inform the Senate of the death on 6 January 2026 of the Hon. Ronald Leslie Doyle Boswell AO, a senator for the state of Queensland from 1983 to 2014. I call the...
- Committees (0 speeches)
- Public Works Joint Committee; Reference (1 speech)
At the request of Senator Gallagher, I move: That, in accordance with the provisions of the Public Works Committee Act 1969, the following proposed work be referred to the Parliamentary Standing...
- Motions (0 speeches)
- Museum of Australian Democracy (1 speech)
At the request of Senator Gallagher, I move: That, pursuant to standing order 44, the Senate authorises the loan of the petitioning document presented by Senator Spindler on 2 April 1992 to the...
- Documents (0 speeches)
- Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water; Order for the Production of Documents (4 speeches)
At the request of Senator Dean Smith, I move: That there be laid on the table by the Minister for the Environment and Water, by no later than 5 pm on Friday, 6 March 2026, all final versions of...
- Climate Change and Energy Portfolio; Order for the Production of Documents (4 speeches)
On behalf of Senator Dean Smith 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, 6 March 2026, all...
- Department of Defence; Order for the Production of Documents (4 speeches)
At the request of Senator Dean Smith, I move: That there be laid on the table by the Minister representing the Minister for Defence, by no later than 5 pm on Friday, 6 March 2026, all final...
- Trade and Tourism; Order for the Production of Documents (4 speeches)
At the request of Senator Dean Smith, I move: That there be laid on the table by the Minister for Trade and Tourism, by no later than 5 pm on Friday, 6 March 2026, all final versions of the hot...
- Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade; Order for the Production of Documents (4 speeches)
At the request of Senator Dean Smith, I move: That there be laid on the table by the Minister for Foreign Affairs, by no later than 5 pm on Friday, 6 March 2026, all final versions of the hot...
- National Anti-Racism Framework; Order for the Production of Documents (9 speeches)
At the request of Senator Faruqi, I move: That there be laid on the table by the Minister representing the Minister for International Development, by no later than 9.30 am on Monday, 23 March...
- Prime Minister; Order for the Production of Documents (4 speeches)
At the request of Senator Faruqi, I move: That there be laid on the table by the Minister representing the Prime Minister, by no later than 9.30 am on Monday, 23 March 2026, all ministerial...
- Combatting Antisemitism, Hate and Extremism (Criminal and Migration Laws) Bill 2026; Order for the Production of Documents (3 speeches)
At the request of Senator Faruqi, I move: That there be laid on the table by the Minister representing the Prime Minister, by no later than 9.30 am on Monday, 23 March 2026, all correspondence...
- Australia Day; Order for the Production of Documents (9 speeches)
I move: (1) That there be laid on the table by the Minister representing the Minister for Home Affairs, by no later than 9.30 am on Tuesday, 10 March 2026, the Australian Security Intelligence...
- Department of the Treasury; Order for the Production of Documents (3 speeches)
At the request of Senator McGrath, I move: That there be laid on the table by the Minister representing the Treasurer, by no later than 5 pm on Wednesday, 25 March 2026, the final versions of all...
- Special Minister of State; Order for the Production of Documents (3 speeches)
At the request of Senator McGrath, I move: That there be laid on the table by the Special Minister of State, by no later than 5 pm on Wednesday, 25 March 2026, the final versions of all hot...
- New and Redeveloping International Ports Framework Review; Order for the Production of Documents (3 speeches)
At the request of Senator McKenzie, I move: That there be laid on the table by the Minister representing the Minister for Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government, by...
- Victoria: Bushfires; Order for the Production of Documents (3 speeches)
At the request of Senator McKenzie, I move: That there be laid on the table by the Minister representing the Minister for Regional Development, Local Government and Territories, by no later than...
- Australia Day; Order for the Production of Documents (3 speeches)
I move: That there be laid on the table by the Minister representing the Minister for Education by no later than midday on 23 March 2026, all correspondence including briefing notes, meeting...
- Combatting Antisemitism, Hate and Extremism (Firearms and Customs Laws) Bill 2026; Order for the Production of Documents (6 speeches)
I move: That there be laid on the table by the Minister representing the Minister for Home Affairs, by no later than midday on 10 March 2026, information relating to the date that drafting...
- Notices (0 speeches)
- Postponement (1 speech)
I seek leave to use the Senate's power to postpone general business notice of motion No. 368 until tomorrow. Leave granted.
- Documents (0 speeches)
- Housing Australia; Order for the Production of Documents (10 speeches)
I did indicate to the chamber at half past six that I would deal with all of the motions and then I would go to the bills et cetera.
- Home Guarantee Scheme; Order for the Production of Documents (3 speeches)
At the request of Senator Bragg, I move: That there be laid on the table by the Minister representing the Minister for Housing, by no later than midday on Thursday, 5 March 2026, aggregate data...
- Construction, Forestry and Maritime Employees Union; Order for the Production of Documents (3 speeches)
I move: That there be laid on the table by the Minister representing the Minister for Employment and Workplace Relations, by no later than 5 pm on Wednesday, 25 March 2026, copies of all...
- Taxation; Order for the Production of Documents (3 speeches)
I move: That there be laid on the table by the Minister representing the Treasurer by no later than 5 pm on Thursday, 26 March 2026, copies of all ministerial submissions, records of...
- Crime; Order for the Production of Documents (3 speeches)
At the request of Senator Antic, I move: That there be laid on the table by the Minister representing the Attorney-General, by no later than 9.30 am on Monday, 30 March 2026, all briefings,...
- Home Guarantee Scheme; Order for the Production of Documents (3 speeches)
At the request of Senator Bragg, I move: That the Senate— (a) notes that: (i) on 27 August 2025, the Senate agreed to order for the production of documents no. 119, relating to the Home...
- Bills (0 speeches)
- Notices (0 speeches)
- Postponement (1 speech)
I seek leave to postpone general business notice of motion No. 373 to the next sitting day. Leave granted.
- Bills (0 speeches)
- Business (0 speeches)
- Consideration of Legislation (2 speeches)
I move: That the Criminal Code Amendment (Keeping Australia Safe) Bill 2026 be considered during private senators' time on Thursday, 5 March 2026.
- Bills (0 speeches)
- Defence and Veterans' Service Commissioner Bill 2025, Defence and Veterans' Service Commissioner (Consequential and Transitional Provisions) 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.
- Defence and Veterans' Service Commissioner Bill 2025, Defence and Veterans' Service Commissioner (Consequential and Transitional Provisions) 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— DEFENCE AND...
- National Commission for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Children and Young People Bill 2026, National Commission for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Children and Young People (Transitional Provisions) Bill 2026; 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.
- National Commission for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Children and Young People Bill 2026, National Commission for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Children and Young People (Transitional Provisions) Bill 2026; 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— NATIONAL...
- Universities Accord (Australian Tertiary Education Commission) Bill 2025, Universities Accord (Australian Tertiary Education Commission) (Consequential and Transitional Provisions) 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.
- Universities Accord (Australian Tertiary Education Commission) Bill 2025, Universities Accord (Australian Tertiary Education Commission) (Consequential and Transitional Provisions) 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— UNIVERSITIES...
- Australian Security Intelligence Organisation Amendment Bill (No. 2) 2025, National Health Amendment (Passive Immunological Products) Bill 2026, Social Security and Other Legislation Amendment (Technical Changes No. 1) Bill 2026, Veterans' Affairs Legislation Amendment (Miscellaneous Measures No. 2) Bill 2026; 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.
- Australian Security Intelligence Organisation Amendment Bill (No. 2) 2025, National Health Amendment (Passive Immunological Products) Bill 2026, Social Security and Other Legislation Amendment (Technical Changes No. 1) Bill 2026, Veterans' Affairs Legislation Amendment (Miscellaneous Measures No. 2) Bill 2026; Second Reading (1 speech)
I table a revised explanatory memorandum relating to the Veterans' Affairs Legislation Amendment (Miscellaneous Measures No. 2) Bill 2026 and move: That these bills be now read a second time. I...
- Treasury Laws Amendment (Supporting Choice in Superannuation and Other Measures) 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.
- Treasury Laws Amendment (Supporting Choice in Superannuation and Other Measures) 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— TREASURY LAWS AMENDMENT...
- Royal Commissions Legislation Amendment (Protections for Providing Information) Bill 2026; 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. by leave—I move: That the provisions of paragraphs (5) to...
- Royal Commissions Legislation Amendment (Protections for Providing Information) Bill 2026; Second Reading (1 speech)
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— Royal Commissions are...
- Matters of Urgency (0 speeches)
- Middle East (6 speeches)
Senator McKim has submitted a proposal, under standing order 75, today, which is shown at item 15 of today's Order of Business: That the US and Israeli attack on Iran is contrary to international...
- National Security (3 speeches)
The Senate will now consider the proposal, under standing order 75, from Senator Duniam, as shown at item No. 15 on today's Order of Business: That, in the opinion of the Senate, the following is...
- Adjournment (0 speeches)
- Discrimination (5 speeches)
I'm a little bit out of breath. I ran from another meeting to get here. I was quite the sight, running across the courtyard in heels! On a more serious matter, I want to talk about community...
- South Australia: Environment (1 speech)
The Sturt River is a 27-kilometre-long stream that starts in the Adelaide Hills, breaks out of the escarpment and flows across the south-western Adelaide alluvial planes towards the Gulf St...
- Middle East (1 speech)
There is growing expert consensus around the world that the Trump-Netanyahu attack on Iran is illegal. The Greens condemn the illegal, abhorrent and unilateral attacks in Iran. It is clearly...
- Antony, Chris Rua (1 speech)
I rise to pay tribute to a beloved son, friend and young schoolboy, 16-year-old Chris Rua Antony, who was killed while walking home from school on 13 February. Chris was a year 11 student at...
- Liberal Party of Australia, Construction, Forestry and Maritime Employees Union (3 speeches)
Senator Ananda-Rajah, thank you for your beautiful tribute to Chris. I rise to speak today on two matters—first on the Lakemba branch of the New South Wales division of the Liberal Party. I...
- Upturned Tasmania (1 speech)
Something that doesn't dominate national headlines but quietly shapes the future of our country is the transition of young Australians into adulthood. Across Tasmania—and, increasingly,...
- Education Workforce, Health Care (1 speech)
Australian schools are facing a growing crisis in principal recruitment and retention. Stress, burn-out and escalating workloads are driving inexperienced leaders out of the system and...
- Economy, Kuwa Circles Program (1 speech)
As Australians, we live in the greatest country in the world, and I'm lucky enough to live in the best place in this incredible country: South Australia. Last week I had the pleasure of visiting...
- Canavan, Mr Matthew James, Cardiovascular Disease (1 speech)
I'd like to speak tonight about a young Australian man whose life ended far too soon and about a silent killer that too few Australians know about. This young man was also named Matthew James...
- National Security (1 speech)
I rise to speak about the Albanese Labor government's ongoing collusion with activists and fundamentalists to offer a welcome mat to terrorists and terrorist sympathisers. The first duty of any...
- Queensland Brain Institute (1 speech)
I rise to speak about the remarkable achievements of the Brain Institute in Brisbane. This institute stands at the forefront of brain health research, setting new standards in discovery and...
- Queensland Government, Ramadan, Matu Community of Queensland (3 speeches)
I must say I was never any good at speed dating. I'm probably too longwinded. But I do admire Senator Polley's passion for this area and her consistent advocacy in relation to a whole range of...
- Migration, Middle East, Energy (1 speech)
There's been a lot of discussion about support for Iran in the last few days. But I'll tell you what Australia can do as an act of real solidarity with the Iranian diaspora and with those...
- National Security, Chappel, Ms Karen Jeanette, AM, JP, Scott, Mr David Neil Campbell (1 speech)
I use this first parliamentary opportunity to rise in response to the arrest of a 20-year-old Western Australian man who now stands charged with preparing for a terrorist attack. This was not...
- Australian Society: Social Cohesion (1 speech)
Yesterday, the 2028 federal election battlelines were drawn. The first and foremost job of government is to protect its citizens, to allow them to lead their lives with a minimum of government...
- Western Australia: Fishing Industry (1 speech)
Tonight I rise to speak in support of Western Australian commercial and recreational fishermen and against the demersal fishing ban in Western Australia. It's a decision that has devastated...
