Senate debates
Tuesday, 10 March 2026
- Committees (0 speeches)
- Meeting (1 speech)
If there is no objection, the meetings are authorised.
- Business (0 speeches)
- Rearrangement (16 speeches)
I move: That on the following days, following motions to take note of answers, motions proposing the disallowance of instruments be called on and considered for not longer than 30 minutes, after...
- Motions (0 speeches)
- Middle East (6 speeches)
I seek leave to move a motion relating to the proposed Australian military deployment to the Middle East as circulated. Leave not granted. Pursuant to contingent notice, standing in the name of...
- Bills (0 speeches)
- Statements by Senators (0 speeches)
- South Australian State Election (3 speeches)
South Australians will soon head to the polls after four years of a state Labor government which, based on the evidence, has failed to deliver promise after promise. On the weekend, when I was...
- Australian Tourism Awards (1 speech)
Last Friday night in Freo, I joined WA colleagues and tourism champions from across the country for the 2025 Australian Tourism Awards. It was a very fitting location, with Freo having won the...
- Gender Equality (1 speech)
As we celebrate International Women's Day, we must acknowledge the global backlash against feminism and gender equality. Sadly, Australia is no exception. Research out last week found that over a...
- Energy, Fuel Security (1 speech)
Australians were promised cheaper energy under a Labor government led by Anthony Albanese. In fact, the Prime Minister promised households that their power bills would fall by $275. He made that...
- Tasmania: International Students (1 speech)
I recently had the pleasure of meeting two international students from the University of Tasmania, Abir Khondoker and Yee Coey Hung, who are already benefiting from the Albanese Labor...
- Gas Industry (1 speech)
Aussies are angry about not getting a fair return on the export of our gas. I have an inquiry before this Senate to look into this—to look at why this is the case and what can be done. We...
- Labor Government (1 speech)
In question time last Thursday, Minister Watt egregiously misled the Senate. He said that the coalition wants to cut the Key Apprenticeship Program. He said that I told Channel 7 that the...
- 2nd/40th Battalion (1 speech)
Sparrow Force, 2nd/40th Australian Infantry Battalion, the Battle of Timor—this is for them: Scorched earth and sorrowed jungle gloom, The hope you held like precious flame Within a world...
- Middle East: Migration (1 speech)
In the past hour, the Albanese government has introduced sweeping powers to stop refugees fleeing the bombs in Iran and around the Middle East—on the very same day that the Prime Minister...
- Western Australian Government (1 speech)
Western Australians should be paying very close attention to two pieces of legislation before the WA parliament: the so-called post-and-boast laws and the new antiprotest laws. We're being told...
- Energy (1 speech)
To put it mildly, we have a Minister for Climate Change and Energy that is gaslighting the Australian community. Minister Bowen goes out in the media to talk about our country's liquid fuel...
- One Nation (1 speech)
One hundred and twenty-six years ago, history said: First, they ignore you. Then they ridicule you. And then they attack you and want to burn you. And then they build monuments to you. The author...
- Middle East (1 speech)
It's been just over one week since the US and Israel illegally bombed Iran. Let me tell you, the mission creep and the deception from this Albanese Labor government are frightening. The...
- Taxation (1 speech)
Right now, if you're an Aussie enjoying a hard earned schooner, you're contributing more to our national budget than some of the biggest gas companies on the planet. Treasury's own numbers show...
- Women's Health (1 speech)
March is Endometriosis Awareness Month. One in seven Australian women live with endometriosis, and I am one of them. For too long, women's pain has been ignored and dismissed. For me, it took...
- Ministry (0 speeches)
- Temporary Arrangements (1 speech)
by leave—I advise of changes to ministerial arrangements as Senator McCarthy will be absent from question time today on account of ministerial business. In her absence, ministers will...
- Questions without Notice (0 speeches)
- Fuel Security (16 speeches)
My question is to the Minister representing the Prime Minister, Senator Wong. Before the 2022 election, the Prime Minister was tweeting photographs of petrol prices at $1.79, $1.85 and $1.91 a...
- Middle East (8 speeches)
My question is to the Minister representing the Prime Minister, Senator Wong. The conflict in the Middle East continues, with Iran's reprisal attacks now targeting 12 countries. This continues to...
- Fuel Security (18 speeches)
My question is to the Minister representing the Prime Minister, Senator Wong. Communities in regional Western Australia, including Kulin and Corrigin, are already rationing fuel and shutting...
- Australian Defence Force (16 speeches)
My question is to the Minister representing the Prime Minister, Minister Wong. The Australian public does not want to be dragged and into Trump and Netanyahu's illegal forever war—a war...
- Middle East (8 speeches)
My question is to the Minister representing the Treasurer, Senator Gallagher. Can the minister update the chamber on how the Australian economy is well positioned to manage global economic...
- Artificial Intelligence (17 speeches)
My question is to the Minister for Science and Minister for Industry and Innovation. Big tech and their mates have been running around this place telling the government that weakening our...
- Indigenous Australians: Domestic, Family and Sexual Violence (8 speeches)
My question is to the Minister for Finance and Minister for Women, Senator Gallagher, representing the minister for Social Services. Minister, in a very welcome move, your government released a...
- Fuel (17 speeches)
My question is to the Minister representing the Prime Minister, Senator Wong. On Monday, Labor's energy minister, Chris Bowen, told Australians that panic buying, not supply issues, was behind...
- Fuel Security (50 speeches)
My question is for the Minister representing the Minister for Climate Change and Energy, Senator Ayres. Global energy markets have been disrupted by the war in the Middle East. The export of oil...
- Questions without Notice: Additional Answers (0 speeches)
- Defence (1 speech)
I wish to add to an answer to a question Senator Shoebridge asked me about Australian personnel embedded on US submarines in the region on 5 March. In addition to what I have outlined in question...
- Business (0 speeches)
- Rearrangement (1 speech)
by leave—I move: That on Wednesday, 11 March 2026, following the conclusion of the consideration of private senators' bills, senators may make statements of not more than 5 minutes each,...
- Committees (0 speeches)
- Questions without Notice: Take Note of Answers (0 speeches)
- Answers to Questions (20 speeches)
I move: That the Senate take note of the answers given by ministers to questions asked by opposition senators. Wasn't it very telling today. The Australian people are hurting. The Australian...
- Australian Defence Force (1 speech)
I move: That the Senate take note of the answer given by the Minister for Foreign Affairs (Senator Wong) to a question without notice asked by Senator Waters today relating to the Australian...
- Artificial Intelligence (1 speech)
I move: That the Senate take note of the answer given by the Minister for Industry and Innovation (Senator Ayres) to a question without notice I asked today relating to the artificial...
- Regulations and Determinations (0 speeches)
- Business (0 speeches)
- Consideration of Legislation (1 speech)
I move: That the Criminal Code Amendment (Keeping Australia Safe) Bill 2026 be considered on Wednesday, 11 March 2026 at the time for private senators' bills. Question agreed to.
- Notices (0 speeches)
- Presentation (1 speech)
Pursuant to standing order 78(1), I give notice of my intention at the giving of notices on the next day of sitting to withdraw business of the Senate notice of motion No. 1 standing in my name...
- Business (0 speeches)
- Leave of Absence (1 speech)
by leave—I move: That leave of absence be granted to the following senators for today: (a) Senator McCarthy, on account of ministerial business; and (b) Senators Cox and O'Neill, for...
- Notices (0 speeches)
- Postponement (1 speech)
by leave—On behalf of Senator Cash, I move that general business notice of motion No. 421 be postponed to the next sitting day.
- Business (0 speeches)
- Leave of Absence (1 speech)
by leave—I move: That leave of absence be granted to Senator Steele-John from 2 to 5 March 2026, for personal reasons. Question agreed to.
- Documents (0 speeches)
- Royal Commission on Antisemitism and Social Cohesion; Order for the Production of Documents (2 speeches)
I move: That the Senate— (a) notes that the Minister representing the Attorney-General has failed to comply with order for the production of documents no. 322, agreed to on 4 February 2026,...
- eSafety Commissioner; Order for the Production of Documents (2 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 Wednesday, 18 March 2026, copies of all ministerial submissions,...
- Artificial Intelligence; Order for the Production of Documents (2 speeches)
I move: That the Senate— (a) notes that the Minister for Industry and Innovation has made a public interest immunity claim for some material sought by order for the production of documents...
- Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999; Order for the Production of Documents (2 speeches)
At the request of Senator Bragg, I move: That there be laid on the table by the Minister for the Environment and Water, by no later than Thursday, 12 March 2026, any documents and data relating...
- Bills (0 speeches)
- Documents (0 speeches)
- Budget (0 speeches)
- Consideration by Estimates Committees (4 speeches)
I move: That the order agreed to on 27 November 2025 relating to estimates hearings for 2026 be varied as follows: After paragraph (1), insert: (1A) That cross portfolio estimates hearings on...
- Documents (0 speeches)
- Australian Ambassador to the United States of America; Order for the Production of Documents (2 speeches)
I move: That there be laid on the table by the Minister for Foreign Affairs, by no later than 5 pm on Friday, 20 March 2026, copies of all ministerial submissions, records of conversation,...
- National Security, Rifi, Dr Jamal; Order for the Production of Documents (2 speeches)
At the request of Senator Duniam, I move general business notices of motion Nos 409, 410, 411 and 412 together: GENERAL BUSINESS NOTICE OF MOTION NO. 409 That there be laid on the table by the...
- National Security; Order for the Production of Documents (2 speeches)
At the request of Senator Duniam, I move: That there be laid on the table by the Minister representing the Minister for Home Affairs, by no later than 2 pm on Monday, 23 March 2026: (a) any...
- Committees (0 speeches)
- Matters of Urgency (0 speeches)
- Middle East (13 speeches)
Senator McKim has submitted a proposal under standing order 75 today, as shown at item 13 of today's Order of Business: The need for the Government to rule out deploying Australian military...
- Matters of Public Importance (0 speeches)
- Fuel Security (11 speeches)
Senator Dean Smith has submitted a proposal, under standing order 75, today, which is shown at item 13 of today's Order of Business: The Government's preparedness to safeguard Australia's fuel...
- Bills (0 speeches)
- Adjournment (0 speeches)
- Leader of the Opposition (26 speeches)
If Mr Angus Taylor is the answer to the opposition's woes, then, really, one would have to wonder what the question was. I think a quote that really summarises the Leader of the Opposition so...
- Williams, Mr Lloyd (1 speech)
I want to congratulate the outgoing national secretary of the Health Services Union, Lloyd Williams. Llyod joined the union's Victorian branch in 1989, becoming branch secretary in 1999 and...
- Gas Industry (1 speech)
We've got a campaign running in Australia attacking Western Australia's fabulous gas industry—an industry that not only employs huge numbers of people and not only pays billions of dollars...
- Early Childhood Education and Care, Victoria: Community Services, Childhood Dementia (1 speech)
If taxing gas exports makes me part of the radical left, I'm all in. Last week the Prime Minister continued to deliver on his legacy of universal childhood education and care by ripping away...
- South Australian State Election, Northern Territory: Nightcliff By-Election (3 speeches)
I wish to give my good wishes to Ashton Hurn, leader of the South Australian Liberal team, and her deputy, Josh Teague. All the best for the approaching state election. I also extend my good...
- Environment (1 speech)
Australian governments have become far too comfortable with sacrificing irreplaceable parts of our country. Time and time again, they sacrifice Australia's environment for the interests and for...
- Australian Football League (1 speech)
As the AFL season kicks off, I want to speak about a matter which brings me great sadness and strikes at the heart of what it means to be Australian, which is that our national game has been...
- Iranian Women's National Football Team, Middle East (1 speech)
The dire circumstances faced by Iran's national women's soccer team has rightly touched many Australians. Like so many, I was delighted by the news this morning that five of the players had made...
- Parliamentary Friends of Whistleblowers, Ipswich Hospice Care, Aged Care (1 speech)
I was very pleased to attend last week the first function of the Parliamentary Friends of Whistleblowers, of which I am very, very happy to be a co-chair. I acknowledge the other co-chairs of the...
- Social Cohesion (1 speech)
Division. The Prime Minister is fond of this word. He uses it a lot. The Prime Minister doesn't like division, which is unfortunate because he sees division everywhere. Antigenocide protests?...
- Tuart Place (1 speech)
Before returning to Canberra this week, I had the privilege of attending an open day at Tuart Place in Fremantle, of which I am a very proud patron. For many west Australians who experienced...
- Climate Change (1 speech)
As people awaken to the Liberal-Labor uniparty facade, polls show the political status quo is changing and ending. The one thing I want everyone to remember is that Australia's economic and...
- Nuclear Energy (1 speech)
The world hosts about 420 gigawatts of installed nuclear capacity, and this is expected to rise to about 620 gigawatts by 2050. Today about five per cent of a total of 8.6 terawatts of installed...
