Senate debates

Monday, 23 March 2026

• Committees (0 speeches)
  • Meeting (1 speech)
    Is there is no objection, the meetings are authorised.
• Business (0 speeches)
  • Consideration of Legislation (8 speeches)
    I seek leave to move a motion relating to the consideration of legislation. Leave not granted. Pursuant to contingent notice, I move: That so much of the standing orders be suspended as would...
• Bills (0 speeches)
  • Treasury Laws Amendment (Supporting Choice in Superannuation and Other Measures) Bill 2025; In Committee (24 speeches)
    The committee is considering amendments (3) and (4) on sheet 3682 moved by Senator Chandler. The question is that items 4 and 20 on schedule 5 stand as printed.
  • Treasury Laws Amendment (Supporting Choice in Superannuation and Other Measures) Bill 2025; Limitation of Debate (6 speeches)
    Pursuant to the order agreed to earlier today, the time allotted for debate on the bill has expired. I will now put the question before the chair and then put the questions on the remaining...
  • High Seas Biodiversity Bill 2026; Second Reading (9 speeches)
    In making a contribution on behalf of the coalition on the High Seas Biodiversity Bill 2026, I note the coalition's longstanding desire to work with the government in a bipartisan way—over...
  • High Seas Biodiversity Bill 2026; In Committee (1 speech)
    As my colleague Senator Hodgins-May has foreshadowed, the Greens will move two amendments. The first is to strengthen language to include reference to marine protected areas throughout the bill....
  • High Seas Biodiversity Bill 2026; Third Reading (1 speech)
    I move: That this bill be now read a third time. Question agreed to. Bill read a third 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 (4 speeches)
    I rise to speak on the National Commission for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Children and Young People Bill 2026 and the associated transitional provisions bill. At the outset, I...
• Statements by Senators (0 speeches)
  • Economy (1 speech)
    Around the world last week, central banks met in Japan, in the eurozone, in Canada, in the United States and in the United Kingdom, and central banks in each of those countries, faced with the...
  • Fuel Security, Cost of Living (1 speech)
    The cost of living isn't just a line in the budget; it's the daily pressure families feel every time they tap their card at the supermarket or watch the numbers climb at the petrol pump. In the...
  • One Nation (3 speeches)
    There's a lot that's been said about One Nation's vote since Saturday, and there's a lot that isn't being said as well. Firstly, One Nation lied to the South Australian people during this...
  • Cost of Living (1 speech)
    Australians are hurting under cost-of-living pressures. The government is spending too much money. That is driving inflation, which is driving interest rates, and Australian families and small...
  • Tasmania Devils Football Club (1 speech)
    At 12.05 pm on Saturday at North Hobart Oval, something truly special happened. We saw the ball bounce in what was the first apprenticeship in two years for the Tasmania Devils football club on...
  • Fuel Security (1 speech)
    Two weeks ago, when we were last here, the opposition was accused of spreading misinformation about an impending fuel shortage crisis. Australian eyes do not lie; they have seen fuel shortages...
  • Aviation Industry (1 speech)
    Australia's aviation industry connects Australian travellers to the world. It supports jobs, trade, tourism and opportunity. When aviation works well, our whole country benefits. But for too...
  • Cost of Living (1 speech)
    Labor's economic hand grenade is set to explode all because the Prime Minister and Treasurer cannot stop spending your money. Since coming to government, these Labor vandals have increased...
  • Tasmania: Salmon Farming Industry (1 speech)
    This week marks 12 months since one of the most shameful things that I've seen in this chamber occurred, which was the Albanese Labor government weakening their previous environmental protection...
  • Fuel Security (1 speech)
    Australians have always prided themselves on being a resourceful people. We can survive droughts, floods, fire and also Mr Kevin Rudd as the Prime Minister and then as a US ambassador—my...
  • Western Australia: Aged Care (1 speech)
    Today I want to speak about aged care in Western Australia and the reality that we are confronting: demand is rising, and the system has been under pressure for too long. Older Western...
  • Taxation (1 speech)
    I don't care if you're making money off data centres, gas, solar, wind, groceries, social media or AI. I don't care if you're making money off selling Pokemon cards. If you make money here in...
  • International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination (1 speech)
    Well, 21 March was the International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination. It marks the day in 1960 when police in apartheid South Africa opened fire on thousands of protesters who...
  • Fuel Security (2 speeches)
    Australians have rightly been concerned by the ongoing impacts of the war in Iran, and they are being felt right here in Australia. The energy minister, Chris Bowen, has been either asleep at the...
  • South Australian State Election (1 speech)
    I want to congratulate my state colleagues in South Australia for a fantastic victory on Saturday night. They have actually turned the state to red. If Senator Farrell were here, he'd say they...
• Ministry (0 speeches)
  • Temporary Arrangements (1 speech)
    by leave—I advise that Senator Farrell and Senator Gallagher will be absent from question time today, and Senator McCarthy will be absent from question time both today and tomorrow. In...
• Shadow Ministry (0 speeches)
  • Presentation (1 speech)
    by leave—I advise the Senate that, following Senator Canavan being elected as the Leader of the Nationals, an updated shadow ministry list was published on 16 March 2026. I seek leave to...
• Questions without Notice (0 speeches)
  • Fuel Security (16 speeches)
    My question is to the Minister representing the Minister for Climate Change and Energy, Senator Ayres. On 4 March, you told this Senate that warnings about fuel shortages were 'far-right...
  • Middle East (10 speeches)
    Happy Monday. My question is to the Minister representing the Prime Minister, Senator Wong. Iran's recent actions in the Middle East have triggered instability and severe shocks to energy markets...
  • Fuel (22 speeches)
    My question is to the Minister representing the Minister for Climate Change and Energy, Senator Ayres. Despite weeks of fuel shortages impacting truckies, farmers, fishers and miners, as well as...
  • Gas Industry: Taxation (8 speeches)
    My question is to Minister Wong, representing the Treasurer. It's promising to hear that the government is modelling a gas export tax. Gas corporations will continue to make windfall wartime...
  • Fuel Security (10 speeches)
    My question is to the Minister representing the Minister for Climate Change and Energy, Senator Ayres. The war in the Middle East is a major shock to global energy markets. In response, the...
  • Middle East (38 speeches)
    My question is to the Minister representing the Prime Minister. On Eid morning, Prime Minister Albanese and Minister Burke attended Lakemba Mosque during Eid prayers. Muslims, understandably,...
  • Fuel (6 speeches)
    My question is to the Minister representing the Minister for Climate Change and Energy, Senator Ayres. On 10 March, Senator Wong told the Senate that there was not a fuel supply problem; just...
  • Lakemba Mosque (16 speeches)
    My question is to the Minister representing the Prime Minister, Senator Wong. Videos posted of the incident involving the Prime Minister at Lakemba Mosque last Friday show, by my count, 20 people...
  • Fuel Security (8 speeches)
    My question is for the Minister representing the Minister for Climate Change and Energy. Australia sadly imports about 90 per cent of its fuel needs. Our fuel storage levels are the lowest in the...
  • Agriculture Industry (13 speeches)
    My question is to the Minister representing the Prime Minister, Senator Wong. How is the Albanese government ensuring that Australian farmers and producers will continue to be able to feed...
• Party Office Holders (0 speeches)
  • National Party of Australia (2 speeches)
    by leave—I rise to inform the Senate of changes to the arrangements in the National Party. Senator Canavan's been elected the leader of the parliamentary National Party. For clarity, I...
• 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. Today, we heard so many things about what's going on with fuel...
  • Gas Industry: Taxation, Middle East (2 speeches)
    I move: That the Senate take note of the answers given by the Minister representing the Prime Minister (Senator Wong) to questions without notice asked by Australian Greens senators today....
• Notices (0 speeches)
  • Withdrawal (1 speech)
    I withdraw general business notice of motion No. 424.
  • Postponement (1 speech)
    I move: That business of the Senate No. 2 be postponed to the next sitting day. Question agreed to.
• Business (0 speeches)
  • Leave of Absence (2 speeches)
    by leave—I move: That leave of absence to be granted to myself from 12 May to 7 September 2026, for personal reasons. Question agreed to.
• Committees (0 speeches)
  • Reporting Date (1 speech)
    If there are no objections, the business is postponed.
• Notices (0 speeches)
  • Postponement (1 speech)
    I move: That general business notice of motion No. 421 be postponed until the next sitting day. Question agreed to.
• Committees (0 speeches)
  • Economics Legislation Committee; Reference (1 speech)
    I move: That the Treasury Laws Amendment (Payday Superannuation) Regulations 2026 be referred to the Economics Legislation Committee for inquiry and report by 16 April 2026. Question agreed to.
  • 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...
• Documents (0 speeches)
  • Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development, Communications, Sport and the Arts; Order for the Production of Documents (2 speeches)
    I move: That the Senate— (a) notes that: (i) the Minister representing the Minister for Communications has failed to comply with order for the production of documents no. 37, agreed to on...
• Business (0 speeches)
  • Rearrangement (1 speech)
    by leave—I move: That, to enable senators to attend a meeting of the House of Representatives for an address by Her Excellency the President of the European Commission, Ursula von der...
• Documents (0 speeches)
  • Combatting Antisemitism, Hate and Extremism Bill 2026, Combatting Antisemitism, Hate and Extremism (Firearms and Customs Laws) Bill 2026, Combatting Antisemitism, Hate and Extremism (Criminal and Migration Laws) Bill 2026; Order for the Production of Documents (2 speeches)
    I move: That there be laid on the table by the Minister representing the Minister for Home Affairs, by no later than 5 pm on Thursday, 23 April 2026, copies of all ministerial submissions,...
  • Combatting Antisemitism, Hate and Extremism Bill 2026, Combatting Antisemitism, Hate and Extremism (Criminal and Migration Laws) Bill 2026, Combatting Antisemitism, Hate and Extremism (Firearms and Customs Laws) Bill 2026; Order for the Production of Documents (2 speeches)
    I move: That there be laid on the table by the Minister representing the Attorney-General, by no later than 5 pm on Thursday, 23 April 2026, copies of all ministerial submissions, records of...
  • Economy; Order for the Production of Documents (1 speech)
    On behalf of Senator Dean Smith, I move: That there be laid on the table by the Minister representing the Treasurer, by no later than midday on 26 March 2026, all written or digital documents,...
  • Goods and Services Tax; Order for the Production of Documents (4 speeches)
    On behalf of Senator Dean Smith, I move: That— (a) the Senate notes that order for production of documents no. 304, relating to the distribution of the goods and services tax, has not been...
  • Cybersafety; Order for the Production of Documents (1 speech)
    On behalf of Senator Dean Smith, I move: That— (a) the Senate notes that order for production of documents no. 383, relating to under-16 social media accounts, has not been complied with;...
  • Early Childhood Education and Care; Order for the Production of Documents (1 speech)
    On behalf of Senator O'Sullivan, I move: That there be laid on the table by the Minister representing the Minister for Education, by no later than 27 March 2026, the medium term Budget estimates...
  • Universities; Order for the Production of Documents (1 speech)
    On behalf of Senator O'Sullivan, I move: That there be laid on the table by the Minister representing the Minister for Education, by no later than 27 March 2026, a document setting out the latest...
  • Therapeutic Goods Administration; Order for the Production of Documents (2 speeches)
    On behalf of Senator Antic, I move: That there be laid on the table by the Minister representing the Minister for Health and Aged Care, by no later than 9.30 am on Monday, 20 April 2026: (a) all...
  • 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...
  • Forestry Industry; Order for the Production of Documents (7 speeches)
    At the request of Senator Cadell, I move: That the Senate— (a) notes the Minister representing the Minister for Education has failed to comply with order for production of documents no....
  • Aged Care; Order for the Production of Documents (1 speech)
    At the request of Senators Ruston, Allman-Payne and David Pocock, I move: That there be laid on the table by the Minister representing the Minister for Aged Care and Seniors, by no later than 26...
  • Gun Control; Order for the Production of Documents (2 speeches)
    I move: That there be laid on the table by the Minister representing the Minister for Home Affairs, by no later than 5 pm on Friday, 24 April 2026: (a) copies of all ministerial submissions,...
  • Royal Commission on Antisemitism and Social Cohesion; Order for the Production of Documents (2 speeches)
    I move: That there be laid on the table by the Minister representing the Attorney-General by no later than 5 pm on Thursday, 30 April 2026, copies of all ministerial submissions, records of...
• Matters of Public Importance (0 speeches)
  • Fuel (20 speeches)
    Senator McKim has submitted a proposal, under standing order 75, today, as shown at item 12 of today's Order of Business: Pursuant to standing order 75, I propose that the following matter of...
• Matters of Urgency (0 speeches)
  • Fuel (13 speeches)
    The Senate will now consider the proposal from Senator McKenzie, which is shown at item 12 on today's Order of Business: The Albanese Government's failure to manage fuel supply and distribution,...
• Documents (0 speeches)
  • Royal Commission on Antisemitism and Social Cohesion, National Anti-Racism Framework, New and Redeveloping International Ports Framework Review, Victoria: Bushfires, Defence Properties, Agriculture Industry; Order for the Production of Documents (1 speech)
    I table documents relating to orders for the production of documents concerning the Royal Commission on Antisemitism and Social Cohesion, the National Anti-Racism Framework, the new and...
• Committees (0 speeches)
  • Economics Legislation Committee, Economics References Committee, Rural and Regional Affairs and Transport Legislation Committee, Rural and Regional Affairs and Transport References Committee, Senators' Interests Committee; Membership (2 speeches)
    The President has received a letter requesting changes to the membership of committees.
• President of the European Commission (0 speeches)
  • Address to Parliament (1 speech)
    The President has received a message from the House of Representatives inviting senators to attend a meeting of the House on Tuesday 24 March 2026 for an address by Her Excellency Ursula von der...
• Committees (0 speeches)
  • Legal and Constitutional Affairs References Committee; Reference (13 speeches)
    I move: That the following matter be referred to the Legal and Constitutional Affairs References Committee for inquiry and report by 3 September 2026: (a) the scale, nature and drivers of waste,...
• Bills (0 speeches)
  • Coal Mining Industry (Long Service Leave) Legislation Amendment Bill 2025; Report from Committee (1 speech)
    I present the Education and Employment Legislation Committee's report on the Coal Mining Industry (Long Service Leave) Legislation Amendment Bill 2025, together with accompanying documents.
• Committees (0 speeches)
  • Education and Employment References Committee; Reference (1 speech)
    I'd like to continue my remarks. For those who aren't able to correct this course, the consequences are devastating. Analysis by ACOS found that, if you spend a year out of paid work, you almost...
• Bills (0 speeches)
  • 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 (9 speeches)
    I was in continuation earlier today for the National Commission for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Children and Young People Bill 2026, as well as the National Commission for Aboriginal...
  • Commonwealth Entities Legislation Amendment Bill 2026; Second Reading (1 speech)
    I rise to speak on the Commonwealth Entities Legislation Amendment Bill 2026. At first glance, this bill is presented as routine—in fact, as a technical exercise in what the government...
• Adjournment (0 speeches)
  • The Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health (1 speech)
    Last week, I was honoured to be joined by the Minister for Aged Care and Seniors, Sam Rae, whose unwavering commitment to advancing the wellbeing of older Australians is inspiring. We visited the...
  • Great Australian Bight (1 speech)
    I support World Heritage listing for the Great Australian Bight. It's one of the best and most intact temperate marine ecosystems in the world, with amazing biodiversity. It's globally...
  • Fertiliser (1 speech)
    The duty of any government is to safeguard its nation and its people, and that does not begin and end with defence capability; it extends to fundamentals that allow a nation to function, like...