Senate debates
Tuesday, 31 March 2026
- Documents (0 speeches)
- Committees (0 speeches)
- Documents (0 speeches)
- United Nations Security Council; Tabling (1 speech)
As the Australian government announced last month, Australia has notified the United Nations Security Council of relevant actions Australia is taking under article 51 of the United Nations...
- Consideration (1 speech)
I move: That consideration of the documents be listed on the Notice Paper as orders of the day. Question agreed to.
- Committees (0 speeches)
- Bills (0 speeches)
- Committees (0 speeches)
- Bills (0 speeches)
- Copyright Amendment Bill 2026; Second Reading (3 speeches)
I rise to speak on the Copyright Amendment Bill 2026. This is legislation that affects the increasing pressure on our legal frameworks to keep pace with rapid technological change. The bill has...
- Statements by Senators (0 speeches)
- Women in Sport (1 speech)
Last week marked a significant moment for women's sport both in Australia and internationally. The International Olympic Committee has confirmed that eligibility for female categories at the...
- Fuel Security (1 speech)
Our government knows that families are under pressure, and that's why our No. 1 focus remains the here and now for every single Australian. The conflict in the Middle East is pushing up fuel...
- Media: Middle East (1 speech)
The Israeli government overnight has just locked in an apartheid death penalty for Palestinians, paving the way for summary executions through a rigged system of military tribunals, completely...
- Easter, Passover (1 speech)
This coming weekend is Easter, when Christians across Australia will commemorate the crucifixion of Jesus Christ on Good Friday and his resurrection on Easter Sunday. I know, for many millions of...
- Perth: Attack (1 speech)
On Sunday in Boorloo, Perth, on Whadjuk Noongar Boodja, my community came together in Forrest Place to reclaim the space that was shaken by hate. For tens of thousands of years, this place was...
- Fuel (2 speeches)
One message coming through loud and clear from people here in Canberra that I represent, communities across the country and stakeholders representing them is that there's an expectation that our...
- Breast Cancer (1 speech)
One in 75 Australians carry a DNA variant, but many don't know it. I want to talk briefly about one of those Australians who I have the pleasure of recently meeting. Kara grew up knowing that...
- Universities (1 speech)
Last night the Four Corners expose revealed that in just one year universities spend $1.8 billion of public money on consultants. And what did this $1.8 billion achieve for universities? It was...
- Middle East (1 speech)
Just turning down the temperature. With Palestinian Prisoners Day coming up on 17 April, I want to speak the truth this parliament too often avoids. Since 1967 over one million Palestinians have...
- Aged Care (1 speech)
I rise to call out the Albanese Labor government for its deeply flawed rollout of its aged-care reforms. This week, I joined with colleagues from across the parliament to demand urgent action to...
- Easter, Family Law (1 speech)
I would like to wish a happy Easter to all Australians. This holiday is a time for family and friends to gather and reflect on their faith. In particular, I want to shine a light on the good men...
- Newman, Dr Hillel (1 speech)
Right now, Israel's ambassador to Australia, Hillel Newman, is addressing the National Press Club. This is a man who, just three weeks ago, questioned on live television whether the 165 girls...
- Tasmania: Full Horizontal Fiscal Equalisation (1 speech)
The GST is one of the most important pillars of our national economy. In 2025-26 it will inject more than $96 billion into the economy. This funds our hospitals, schools and essentials. For...
- Endometriosis (2 speeches)
March is Endometriosis Awareness Month. Endometriosis is a chronic condition that can cause pain, impact fertility and, too often, prevent women and girls from participating fully in their...
- Questions without Notice (0 speeches)
- Australian Parliament (19 speeches)
My question is to the Minister representing the Prime Minister, Senator Wong. Australians are paying record prices for energy, for fuel and for groceries. Everywhere they turn, they are paying...
- Fuel (9 speeches)
My question is to the Minister representing the Treasurer, Senator Gallagher. The conflict in the Middle East is disrupting global supply chains, impacting the ability to purchase fuel on the...
- Economy (10 speeches)
My question is to the Minister representing the Prime Minister, Senator Wong. Yesterday, the Prime Minister followed the coalition's lead and announced a temporary cut to the fuel...
- Frankcom, Ms Lalzawmi (Zomi) (9 speeches)
My question is to Senator Wong. Tomorrow will mark two years since the slaughter of Australian aid worker Zomi Frankcom and her six colleagues by Israel. This was no tragic mistake. The clearly...
- Fuel Security (4 speeches)
My question today is to my good friend the Minister for Trade and Tourism, Senator Farrell.
- Distinguished Visitors (0 speeches)
- Acknowledgement (1 speech)
I draw to the attention of senators the presence in the gallery of former senator Mark Arbib.
- Questions without Notice (0 speeches)
- Fuel Security (6 speeches)
Thank you, Minister, for that answer. As we know, no country is immune from the impacts of this conflict, but the government is acting decisively to ensure that Australia remains prepared and...
- Environment (8 speeches)
My question is to the Minister for the Environment and Water, Senator Watt. Minister, the government has made some very welcome commitments to zero new extinctions and protecting 30 per cent of...
- Artificial Intelligence (8 speeches)
My question is to the Minister for Industry and Innovation and Minister for Science, Senator Ayres. Minister, I'm keen to understand how the voluntary national expectations that you released last...
- Migration (16 speeches)
My question is to the Minister representing the Minister for Immigration and Citizenship, Senator Watt. Last November, I asked you about the country of origin of refugees in your government's...
- Fuel (26 speeches)
My question is to the Minister representing the Minister for Climate Change and Energy, Senator Ayres. The price of fuel and fertiliser for regional communities and farmers is rising due to the...
- Housing (16 speeches)
My question is to the Minister for Environment and Water, Minister Watt. Since 2022 the Albanese Labor government has been focused on fixing the decade of coalition neglect, dealing with the...
- Motions (0 speeches)
- Australian Defence Force (7 speeches)
I seek leave to move a motion relating to the deployment of the Australian Defence Force, as circulated. Leave not granted. Pursuant to contingent notice standing in the name of Senator Waters, I...
- Questions without Notice: Take Note of Answers (0 speeches)
- Answers to Questions (6 speeches)
With the concurrence of the Senate, the clerks will set the clocks in accordance with informal arrangements agreed by the whips.
- Frankcom, Ms Lalzawmi (Zomi) (1 speech)
I move: That the Senate take note of the answer given by the government to questions without notice I asked today relating to . Two years ago, on 1 April, Australian aid worker Zomi Frankcom was...
- Biodiversity (2 speeches)
I move: That the Senate take note of the answers given by the Minister for Industry and Science (Senator Ayres) and the Minister for the Environment and Water (Senator Watt) to questions without...
- Regulations and Determinations (0 speeches)
- Notices (0 speeches)
- Presentation (1 speech)
I give notice in general terms that, tomorrow, I will move: The motion was unavailable at the time of publishing.
- Postponement (1 speech)
I'm assuming there's no objection. The business is postponed.
- Business (0 speeches)
- Consideration of Legislation (1 speech)
I move: That the Criminal Code Amendment (Keeping Australia Safe) Bill 2026 be considered on Wednesday, 1 April 2026 at the time for private senators' bills. Question agreed to.
- Leave of Absence (2 speeches)
by leave—I move: That leave of absence be granted to Senator Dean Smith for 1 April 2026, for personal reasons. Question agreed to.
- Committees (0 speeches)
- Community Affairs References Committee; Reference (6 speeches)
I move: That the following matter be referred to the Community Affairs References Committee for inquiry and report by 2 November 2026: The suitability of current Commonwealth Government...
- Procedure Committee; Reference (2 speeches)
I move: That the following matter be referred to the Procedure Committee for inquiry and report by 12 May 2026: The appropriateness of amending standing order 35 to reduce witness filibustering...
- Documents (0 speeches)
- Artificial Intelligence; Order for the Production of Documents (1 speech)
At the request of Senator Payman, I move: That there be laid on the table by the Minister for Finance, by no later than 5 pm on Tuesday, 19 May 2026: (a) copies of all emails, letters,...
- Cybersafety; Order for the Production of Documents (1 speech)
At the request of Senator Dean Smith, I move: That the Senate— (a) notes that order for the production of documents no. 383, made on 4 March 2026, relating to the process of verifying the...
- Artificial Intelligence; Order for the Production of Documents (1 speech)
At the request of Senator Payman, I move: That there be laid on the table by the Minister representing the Minister for Defence, by no later than 5 pm on Wednesday, 15 April 2026, copies of all...
- Bills (0 speeches)
- Documents (0 speeches)
- Housing Australia; Order for the Production of Documents (2 speeches)
by leave—on behalf of Senator Bragg, I move: That the Senate— (a) notes that: (i) on Monday, 2 March 2026, the Senate agreed to order for the production of documents no. 347, relating...
- Superannuation; Order for the Production of Documents (5 speeches)
by leave—On behalf of Senator Bragg, I move: That the Senate— (a) notes that: (i) on Wednesday, 4 March 2026, the Senate agreed to order for the production of documents no. 391,...
- Housing Australia (2 speeches)
At the request of Senator Bragg, I move: That the Senate— (a) notes that: (i) order for the production of documents no. 371, relating to Housing Australia staff surveys, required the...
- Matters of Urgency (0 speeches)
- Taxation (9 speeches)
Senator Payman has submitted a proposal, under standing order 75, today, as shown at item 14 of today's Order of Business: Pursuant to standing order 75, I give notice that today I propose to...
- Documents (0 speeches)
- Tabling (1 speech)
I believe the whips have agreed to this. I seek leave to table the costings document that I referred to in question time today. It was lost in the repartee of question time. Leave granted.
- Matters of Urgency (0 speeches)
- Fuel (10 speeches)
The Senate will now consider the proposal, under standing order 75, from Senator McGrath, which has been circulated and is shown at item 14 of today's Order of Business: The need for the Albanese...
- Bills (0 speeches)
