Senate debates
Thursday, 5 March 2026
- Business (0 speeches)
- Withdrawal (7 speeches)
Pursuant to contingent notice, I move: That so much of the standing orders be suspended as would prevent me moving a motion to provide for the consideration of a matter, namely a motion to allow...
- Committees (0 speeches)
- Meeting (1 speech)
If there are no objections, the meetings are authorised.
- Business (0 speeches)
- Rearrangement (54 speeches)
I move: That private senators' bills do not proceed today. A division having been called and the bells being rung—
- Committees (0 speeches)
- Selection of Bills Committee; Report (14 speeches)
I present the second report of 2026 of the Selection of Bills Committee. I seek leave to have the report incorporated in Hansard. Leave granted. The report read as follows— Selection of...
- Business (0 speeches)
- Rearrangement (1 speech)
I move: That — (a) the Corporations (Review Fees) Amendment (Technical Amendments) Bill 2025 be considered from 12.15 pm; (b) government business then be called on and considered till not...
- Consideration of Legislation (1 speech)
The question is the deferred vote, as moved by Senator Duniam on Tuesday 3 March, be taken now.
- Documents (0 speeches)
- Bills (0 speeches)
- Statements by Senators (0 speeches)
- Cometti, Mr Dennis John, AM (1 speech)
I rise, with great sadness, to acknowledge the passing of one of the absolute greats of sports commentary in this country, Dennis Cometti. Dennis Cometti was, particularly for Western...
- South Australia: Bushfires (1 speech)
Today, I would like to acknowledge the immense dedication and personal sacrifice demonstrated by the South Australian Country Fire Service during their work on the Fleurieu Peninsula last summer....
- Middle East (1 speech)
I rise to speak to the devastating cost of human conflict. Last week, a long commemorative roll of paper—15 metres long—was installed on a wall in Adelaide. Artist Phil Buehler's Wall...
- Sovereign Capability (1 speech)
In a world that is increasingly uncertain, when we see the rule of power overcoming the rule of laws, it is time to look at what we need to do as a country. I am taken by a phrase in The Art of...
- Workplace Relations (1 speech)
We're starting to see the benefits of the secure work, better pay legislation that was introduced in 2022 and fought so hard for by the mighty Australian union movement. The objectives of some of...
- Parliamentary Standards (1 speech)
Before I start, I just want to acknowledge the Ukrainian ambassador to Australia and the delegation, who are in the Senate. I want to start by expressing my absolute disappointment at the...
- South Australian Government (1 speech)
On 28 February, the Australian newspaper published an exclusive investigation including a secret tape-recording, a $2.3 million lawsuit, a failed blackmail sting which included the South...
- Ukraine (1 speech)
I acknowledge in the chamber for my contribution today His Excellency the Ambassador of Ukraine and my parliamentary colleagues serving the nation of Ukraine. It's a pleasure to have you here in...
- Middle East (1 speech)
In the last five days we have seen a dangerous escalation in illegal violence driven by the imperial ambitions of the United States and Israel and endorsed by this government. Australia isn't...
- Domestic and Family Violence, Workplace Relations (1 speech)
As we mark International Women's Day this weekend, we should reflect on the barriers that women are still facing in the workplace and in their homes. For many women across Western Australia, the...
- Western Australia: Renewable Energy (1 speech)
Western Australia is in the midst of a significant and rushed energy transition driven by the Albanese government's net zero agenda. Projects like the proposed 250-megawatt four-hour Baldivis...
- Fuel Security (1 speech)
Service stations have hiked fuel prices by up to 60c a litre after conflict erupted again in the Middle East. Australians are feeling the pain of the pump, and successive Liberal and Labor...
- International Relations: Australia and the United States of America (1 speech)
Earlier this year, Canadian prime minister Mark Carney delivered these words: We know the old order is not coming back. We shouldn't mourn it. Nostalgia is not a strategy, but we believe that...
- Cybersafety (1 speech)
On 20 January, new hate speech laws were passed on the wake of a horrific, hateful act of antisemitic terrorism. Whether people agree with those laws or not, the conversation reflects a broader...
- Amazon Flex (1 speech)
Walking on eggshells constantly, deactivated without any meaningful opportunity to respond, putting drivers in unsafe and unworkable situations, and prioritisation of speed and volume over driver...
- Distinguished Visitors (0 speeches)
- Acknowledgement (1 speech)
I will immediately invite the Ukrainian delegation. We're very privileged to have you here. The Ukrainian ambassador is here; the delegation is led by Dr Galyna Mykhailiuk. You are most welcome...
- Questions without Notice (0 speeches)
- Economy (14 speeches)
My question is to the Minister representing the Treasurer, Senator Gallagher. Minister, the Treasurer said in February, and I'm quoting directly: … the pressure on the economy, the upward...
- Middle East (8 speeches)
My question is to the Minister for Foreign Affairs, Senator Wong. It's clear the conflict in the Middle East is not likely to end quickly. Iran continues to attack countries in the region, and...
- Visa Refusal or Cancellation (8 speeches)
My question is to the Minister representing the Minster for Home Affairs, Senator Watt. Recent reports tell of a Lebanese man who was convicted of inappropriately touching a 15-year-old girl in...
- Defence (17 speeches)
My question is to the Minister representing the Prime Minister, Minister Wong. This morning a US attack class nuclear submarine fired a torpedo and sank an Iranian frigate in international waters...
- Economy (8 speeches)
My question is to the Minister for Finance, Senator Gallagher. The Albanese Labor government is focused on growing the economy, repairing the budget and delivering practical support for...
- Nuclear Weapons (7 speeches)
My question is for the Minister representing the Minister for Defence, Minister Wong. As part of AUKUS arrangements, you are planning to host US nuclear-capable, long-range supersonic B-52...
- Construction, Forestry and Maritime Employees Union (23 speeches)
My question is to the Minister representing the Treasurer, Senator Gallagher. Industry stakeholders estimate that cost blowouts linked to the CFMEU conduct on construction sites can be as much as...
- Fuel Security (26 speeches)
My question is to the Minister representing the Prime Minister, Senator Wong. Minister, as the conflict involving Iran drives oil prices higher amid an effective blockade of the Strait of Hormuz,...
- Health Care (13 speeches)
My question is to the Minister representing the Minister for Health and Ageing, Senator McAllister. Yesterday, I tabled a petition signed by more than 27,000 people calling on the government to...
- Apprenticeships (28 speeches)
My question is to the Minister representing the Minister for Skills and Training, Senator Watt. When the Albanese government took office, Australia was facing the worst skills shortage in more...
- Questions without Notice: Additional Answers (0 speeches)
- Nuclear Weapons (1 speech)
I wish to add to an answer I gave to Senator Thorpe in question time today in relation to US nuclear-capable submarines and bombers. Australia continues to fully comply with our international...
- Visa Refusal or Cancellation (1 speech)
I would just like to add to the answer that I provided to Senator Duniam's question earlier. What I can say is that the government is aware of this case that Senator Duniam was asking about and,...
- Statements (0 speeches)
- Personal Explanation (2 speeches)
I seek leave to correct an error I made in my question on Monday. Leave granted. On Monday in question time, at 14.43, I said: In the next few weeks, Brisbane's Lytton fuel refinery is scheduled...
- Motions (0 speeches)
- Fuel (25 speeches)
I seek leave to move a motion relating to fuel security, as circulated. Leave not granted. Pursuant to contingent notice of motion standing in the name of Senator McKenzie, I move: That so much...
- 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 coalition senators' questions. Inadequate is how I would describe the Labor government's response to question 2, about the...
- Defence (2 speeches)
I move: That the Senate take note of Senator Wong's response to Senator Shoebridge's question today. The war that's being perpetrated on Iran as we speak by the rogue states of the United States...
- Documents (0 speeches)
- Committees (0 speeches)
- Documents (0 speeches)
- Home Guarantee Scheme, Housing Australia (1 speech)
I table documents relating to orders for the production of documents concerning the Home Guarantee Scheme, the housing market and Housing Australia.
- Motions (0 speeches)
- Freedom of Speech (7 speeches)
I move: That the Senate notes that the people of Australia deserve the right via referendum to decide if our constitution should be amended to ensure that the Commonwealth or a state must not...
- Adjournment (0 speeches)
- Motor Neurone Disease (1 speech)
This week advocates, families and people living with motor neurone disease gathered in Parliament House for the launch of the Parliamentary Friends of Motor Neurone Disease for 2026. While I was...
- Cometti, Mr Dennis John, AM, Western Australia: Aviation Industry (1 speech)
I rise to acknowledge the passing of Western Australia's great sporting voice, Dennis Cometti. For more than half a century, Dennis provided the soundtrack to Australian sport. His deep, clear...
- Culture and the Arts (1 speech)
The life of the arts, far from being an interruption or a distraction in the life of a nation, is very close to the centre of a nation's purpose and is a test of the quality of a nation's...
- Fossil Fuel Industry (2 speeches)
I rise to warn of a dangerous and increasingly prevalent risk to our democracy. Australians have been told that beer drinkers pay more tax than gas companies. Others say that the Commonwealth...
