Senate debates
Wednesday, 11 March 2026
- Committees (0 speeches)
- Meeting (1 speech)
If there is no objection, the meetings are authorised.
- Motions (0 speeches)
- International Day to Combat Islamophobia (6 speeches)
I seek leave to move a motion relating to the International Day to Combat Islamophobia, as circulated. Leave not granted. Pursuant to contingent notice of motion standing in the name of Senator...
- Bills (0 speeches)
- Statements (0 speeches)
- Middle East (15 speeches)
Pursuant to order, the Senate will now proceed to statements by senators concerning the current conflict in the Middle East. The total time limit for this debate is one hour, and it's five...
- Bills (0 speeches)
- Statements by Senators (0 speeches)
- Queensland: Floods, Queensland: Roads, Workplace Relations: Transport Workers' Union (1 speech)
Queenslanders are once again facing the harsh reality of widespread flooding across large parts of our state. Hundreds of roads have been cut, and emergency services are undertaking swift-water...
- Caboolture-Bribie Island Road Upgrade Program, Iranian Women's National Football Team, Asylum Seekers (1 speech)
In relation to the Caboolture-Bribie Island Road upgrade, I'd like to put on the record my thanks to everyone in the relevant Queensland LNP government ministry who advocated for this upgrade and...
- International Women's Day, Middle East, Gas Industry (1 speech)
This Sunday just gone, on International Women's Day, I spent time with some truly remarkable women. One of them was the formidable Gen Dawson-Scott, who is contesting the seat of Heysen in the...
- Foreign Donations, Fuel (1 speech)
I am incredibly concerned. Australia has an economy that relies on everybody understanding what pays the bills in this country, and I can tell you that the biggest thing that pays the bills in...
- International Women's Day (1 speech)
I rise today to acknowledge International Women's Day. This year's United Nations Women Australia theme is Balance the Scales. It's a theme that reminds us that gender equality does not happen by...
- Pensions and Benefits: Multiple Birth Allowance (1 speech)
Today I want to talk about multiple births. I want to talk about how far we have come on this issue and where we will go from here. You may remember me talking about this issue last year,...
- Liberal-National Coalition (3 speeches)
It's no exaggeration to say that, if Mr Robert Menzies, the founding father of the Liberal Party, could see the party as it stands today, he would barely recognise it. I think it would be fair to...
- Gender and Sexual Orientation (1 speech)
This speech is written by the one and only Pride and Protest. This parliament is failing queer and trans people. This parliament is failing sex workers. We have a broken Sex Discrimination Act...
- Economy, Trade (1 speech)
This week marks 250 years since the publication of one of the most influential books ever written about how economies work: Adam Smith's Wealth of Nations, published in March 1776. It's easy to...
- South Australian State Election (1 speech)
For too long, the only choice for Australian voters was to alternate their vote between the Labor Party and the Liberal and National parties. When one failed, voters selected the other, and then...
- Australian Society (1 speech)
The far left like to imagine that they are on a moral crusade fighting all of the ills of the world, but in reality they are experiencing a crisis of self-worth while using protest signs as...
- Treasury Laws Amendment (Building a Stronger and Fairer Super System) Bill 2026 (2 speeches)
I'm pleased to be able to take some time today to talk about a couple of things that I didn't get to yesterday in the debate to pass the Treasury Laws Amendment (Building a Stronger and Fairer...
- Australian Parliament (1 speech)
A profound shift has happened in our Australian democracy over the last 40 years. The role and the power of our parliaments, the institutions meant to represent the will of the people, have been...
- Iranian Women's National Football Team (1 speech)
I want to rise this afternoon to recognise the extraordinary members of the Iranian women's national football team who have been granted humanitarian visas by the Albanese government. Australia...
- Middle East (1 speech)
Australia is at war with Iran. That is the stark truth under international law, no matter how much the Labor Party, the Prime Minister and the Foreign minister might try to weasel out of it. By...
- Fuel (1 speech)
I've had a big day today, but I don't want to talk about me. I want to talk about the people that have contacted me in the past week that are struggling to access fuel in, often, rural or...
- Queensland: Sugar Industry (1 speech)
Sugar is more than just a crop in Queensland; it's part of our identity, part of our history, and for more than a century it has shaped the communities, the families and the towns in regional...
- Taxation (1 speech)
With energy in the spotlight, I want to talk about one of the biggest myths the Greens and the crazy lefties love to spruik. The idea that a fuel tax credit is a subsidy given to industries that...
- Telecommunications (1 speech)
Last year, I stood here and warned the government about the very real dangers facing my constituents in the Central Highlands of Tasmania—people who fear that, without urgent action,...
- Tasmania: Medicare (1 speech)
On Monday 16 February I had the great pleasure of joining the member for Braddon, Anne Urquhart, to open the Burnie Medicare Urgent Care Clinic. The Burnie Medicare Urgent Care Clinic now...
- Middle East: Asylum Seekers (1 speech)
The Albanese Labor government can no longer hide behind the paper-thin facade that this war is about protecting the people of Iran. You can't keep hiding behind glib words and meaningless lip...
- Australian Society (1 speech)
The biggest lie you've ever been told is that you're free. In the old days, slavery was at least honest; you could see the chains and you knew who owned you. Today, slavery is just as real but...
- Gender Equality (1 speech)
In a week where we reflect on International Women's Day and its theme of balancing the scales, I've felt an enormous depth of pride to be part of the labour movement that has stood at the...
- Australian Parliament (1 speech)
Do you think that politicians should be able to train lobbyists how to lobby? Do you think it's right that there are over 2,200 people with access to Parliament House—the people's...
- Indigenous Australians: Cultural Heritage (1 speech)
Today I would like to speak about land theft and how it continues to this very day. The ongoing theft and exploitation of our land should worry everyone who believes in justice and...
- Fuel Security (1 speech)
Australia is facing the most uncertain strategic environment since the end of the Second World War, and, in times like these, the first duty of government is simple: protect the nation and ensure...
- Liberal Party of Australia (1 speech)
As a former party official, I have been part of my fair share of election reviews, and so I thought today I'd share some recommendations from one I've read recently. It just happened to come...
- Questions without Notice (0 speeches)
- Fuel Security (12 speeches)
My question is to the Minister representing the Minister for Climate Change and Energy, Senator Ayres. The government says that it has detailed information showing Australia has strong fuel...
- Middle East (11 speeches)
My question is to the Minister representing the Prime Minister, Minister Wong. The conflict in the Middle East continues, with ongoing disruptions for travel for more than 100,000 Australians in...
- Fuel (17 speeches)
Thank you, Madam President, for those congratulations. My question is to the Minister representing the Minister for Climate Change and Energy, Senator Ayres. Ripple Creek Transport, a Townsville...
- Middle East (21 speeches)
My question is to the Minister representing the Prime Minister, Minister Wong. Is Australia at war?
- Gender Equality (8 speeches)
My question is to the Minister for Women, Senator Gallagher. On Sunday we marked International Women's Day, a time to reflect on progress, celebrate achievements and recommit to advancing gender...
- Diabetes (8 speeches)
My question is to the Minister representing the Minister for Health and Ageing, Senator McAllister. Diabetes is the fastest-growing chronic condition in Australia, with prevalence quadrupling...
- Fuel (17 speeches)
My question is to the Minister representing the Minister for Climate Change and Energy, Senator Ayres. The government says fuel stocks remain strong and has dismissed Australians' concerns...
- Artificial Intelligence (16 speeches)
My question is to the Minister for Industry and Innovation, Senator Ayres. This morning, the ABC reported that social media posts about events that never took place involving myself, Senator...
- Fuel Security (50 speeches)
My question is to the Minister representing the Minister for Climate Change and Energy, Senator Ayres. Global energy market volatility continues, driven by the war in the Middle East. In...
- Questions without Notice: Additional Answers (0 speeches)
- Health Care (1 speech)
I wish to add to an answer that I provided on Thursday 5 March to Senator Ruston in relation to proton beam therapy. I indicated I'd return to the chamber if I had more information to provide....
- Documents (0 speeches)
- Tabling (1 speech)
by leave—I table two articles relating directly to my questions to Minister Ayres.
- 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 today. I rise to respond to answers to questions. Labor, it's hard to believe you can think...
- Middle East (2 speeches)
I move: That the Senate take note of the answer given by the Foreign minister to my colleague Senator Waters. Foreign Minister Wong was asked what you would think is the simplest of questions....
- Notices (0 speeches)
- Withdrawal (1 speech)
Pursuant to notice of intention given yesterday, I withdraw business of the Senate notice of motion No. 1 standing in my name for 12 March 2026, proposing the disallowance of the Digital ID...
- Presentation (2 speeches)
On behalf of the Senate Standing Committee for the Scrutiny of Delegated Legislation, I give notice of my intention to, at the giving of notices on the next day of sitting, withdraw business of...
- Postponement (2 speeches)
On behalf of Senator Cash, I seek leave to postpone general business notice of motion No. 421 till tomorrow. Leave granted.
- Business (0 speeches)
- Leave of Absence (1 speech)
by leave—I move: That Senator Bragg be granted leave of absence for the period 10 March 2026 to 12 March 2026, for personal reasons. Question agreed to.
- Committees (0 speeches)
- Documents (0 speeches)
- Business (0 speeches)
- Consideration of Legislation (1 speech)
I move: (1) That so much of the standing orders be suspended as would prevent this resolution having effect. (2) That the Defence Amendment (Parliamentary Approval of Overseas Service) Bill 2020...
- Committees (0 speeches)
- Documents (0 speeches)
- Cybersafety; 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 Monday, 23 March 2026: (a) all information notices issued to social...
- Business (0 speeches)
- Consideration of Legislation (2 speeches)
I move: That the Offshore Petroleum and Greenhouse Gas Storage Amendment (Domestic Reserve) Bill 2026 be considered during the time for private senators' bills on Thursday, 12 March 2026.
- Bills (0 speeches)
- Matters of Urgency (0 speeches)
- Fuel Security (15 speeches)
Senator McGrath has submitted a proposal, under standing order 75, today. It's been circulated and is shown on the Dynamic Red: The need for the Albanese Labor Government to take responsibility...
- National Anti-Racism Framework (27 speeches)
The Senate will now consider the proposal, under standing order 75, from Senator Thorpe, which has been circulated and is shown on the Dynamic Red: The need for the Government to issue an...
- Budget (0 speeches)
- Consideration by Estimates Committees (1 speech)
At the request of the chair of the Environment and Communications Legislation Committee, I present a report in respect of the 2025-26 additional estimates.
- Committees (0 speeches)
- Documents (0 speeches)
- Murray-Darling Basin Authority (1 speech)
by leave—in relation to the Murray–Darling Basin First Nations water report 2024–25, I move: That the Senate take note of the document. I seek leave to continue my remarks...
- Committees (0 speeches)
- Scrutiny of Bills Committee; Scrutiny Digest (1 speech)
I present Scrutiny digest No. 4 of 2026 of the Standing Committee for the Scrutiny of Bills together with ministerial correspondence, and I move: That the Senate take note of the report. As Chair...
- Documents (0 speeches)
- Committees (0 speeches)
- Bills (0 speeches)
- Committees (0 speeches)
- Party Office Holders (0 speeches)
- National Party of Australia (1 speech)
by leave—I advise the Senate that, for the purpose of the Senate Standing Committee for the Selection of Bills meeting tonight, Senator Susan McDonald will act on Senator Canavan's behalf...
- Committees (0 speeches)
- Regulations and Determinations (0 speeches)
- Bills (0 speeches)
- Adjournment (0 speeches)
- Queensland: Floods (1 speech)
As you know, President, communities in northern Australia over the last couple of weeks and, of course, over this season have been experiencing an enormous amount of severe weather, with a lot of...
- Aged Care (1 speech)
I'd like to associate myself with Senator Green's remarks. I couldn't agree more with the observations that she made. I'm rising to speak this evening in relation to this thing called the...
- Workplace Relations: Aviation Industry (1 speech)
The Transport Workers' Union has long championed the rights of aviation workers striving for safer, more secure skies and fairer working conditions across Australia's airports. As the aviation...
