Senate debates

Tuesday, 11 August 2026

• Committees (0 speeches)
  • Meeting (1 speech)
    Are there any objections? There being no objections, the meetings are authorised.
• Business (0 speeches)
  • Days and Hours of Meeting, Rearrangement (1 speech)
    by leave—I move: That, on Wednesday, 12 August 2026— (a) the address-in-reply be presented at 8.30 am to Her Excellency the Governor-General by the President and such senators as may...
• Motions (0 speeches)
  • Taxation (22 speeches)
    I seek leave to move a motion relating to the Albanese Labor government's toxic taxes, as circulated. Leave not granted. Pursuant to contingent notice of motion standing in my name, I move: That...
  • National Security (25 speeches)
    I seek leave to move a motion relating to ISIS fighters, as circulated. Leave not granted. Pursuant to contingent notice of motion standing in my name, I move: That so much of the standing orders...
• Bills (0 speeches)
  • Crimes and Other Legislation Amendment (Omnibus No. 1) Bill 2026; Second Reading (3 speeches)
    I rise to speak on the Crimes and Other Legislation Amendment (Omnibus No.1) Bill 2026. The coalition will not be opposing this bill; however, we will be moving an amendment to ensure that the...
• Statements by Senators (0 speeches)
  • Indian Independence Day (1 speech)
    This Saturday marks the 80th Independence Day of India, commemorating the birth of the world's largest democracy. Indian independence was hard-earned and hard-fought, driven by the non-violent...
  • Education (1 speech)
    Public education is the foundation of a fair, democratic and successful country. Growing up, I was fortunate enough to attend public schools, Spreyton Primary School, Latrobe High School and Don...
  • Taxation (1 speech)
    How much tax did you pay last year? If you're Rupert Murdoch's News Corp, the answer is none. News Corp just announced a record increase in revenue, yet they paid no tax. In fact, News Corp is...
  • New South Wales: Acknowledgements (1 speech)
    We are so blessed in my home state of New South Wales to have some of the most welcoming country towns in Australia. Through the break, I visited Albury and Armidale, two regional centres with...
  • Medicare (1 speech)
    Labor is focused on delivering real change. Not too long ago, we announced that we have opened every single one of our Medicare urgent care clinics. That's 137 fully bulk-billed urgent care...
  • Euthanasia (1 speech)
    Back in 2022, Canberrans sent me to this place with a very clear message—to work with the Senate to restore territory rights—and I'm really proud to be part of a Senate that delivered...
  • Child Abuse: Childcare Centres (1 speech)
    I want to begin my short speech by acknowledging the horrific distress and pain of every child and family affected by the allegations involving childcare worker Hamish Tait. No parent should...
  • Australian Labor Party (1 speech)
    I rise to make a contribution about the commitment to the democracy of this nation and the civic engagement of members of political parties, particularly my party, the Labor Party, which was...
  • Migration (1 speech)
    Last week Pauline Hanson, the leader of One Nation, launched a fresh attack on migrants who are living and working here in Australia. Her comments about Uber drivers, nail technicians and dog...
  • Victoria: Corrections (1 speech)
    Breathing fresh air and seeing the sky is a basic human right enshrined in international law and in the Victorian charter of human rights. Just last month, the Victorian government introduced...
  • Workplace Bullying, Sexual Harassment and Sexual Assault (1 speech)
    Abuse, intimidation, stalking and assault have no place in our community, and they certainly have no place in our workplaces. That's why I am proud to stand in the Senate today to commend the SDA...
  • National Security (1 speech)
    When it comes to protecting Australians from terrorist supporters and terrorists returning to Australia, this government has failed the people. When you hear the Labor government say, 'We are...
  • Labor Government: Climate Change (2 speeches)
    The Institute and Faculty of Actuaries in the UK has issued the starkest of warnings about the future if we don't urgently rein in greenhouse gas emissions. It is frightening...
  • Energy (1 speech)
    It was interesting to hear that previous comment on what's happening in the world and the need to clean up and get rid of greenhouse gases when the person speaking is one of those so opposed to...
  • Early Learning Matters Week (1 speech)
    We've just concluded Early Learning Matters Week, a national celebration of the profound impact that early learning has on children, families and communities. To recognise the week, I visited two...
• Questions without Notice (0 speeches)
  • Prime Minister (17 speeches)
    My question is to the Minister for Foreign Affairs, Senator Wong. Minister, have you advised the Prime Minister to apologise to the Japanese Prime Minister for the crude and insulting comments...
  • International Relations: Australia and the Indo-Pacific (8 speeches)
    My question is to the Minister for Foreign Affairs, Senator Wong. Minister, following the treaty signings last month by Prime Minister Albanese and Prime Minister Rabuka of Fiji, this week the...
  • International Relations: Australia and Japan (12 speeches)
    My question is to the Minister representing the Prime Minister, Senator Wong. Andrew Greene at the Nightly has reported today that the Japanese government was 'surprised' to see confidential...
  • Gambling (12 speeches)
    My question is to the Minister representing the Prime Minister, Senator Wong. Last week we heard damning evidence about the predatory behaviour of gambling corporations, grooming people with a...
  • Cost of Living (11 speeches)
    It's great to be back, President. My question is to the Minister for Finance, Senator Gallagher. A responsible approach to the budget has allowed the Albanese Labor government to deliver another...
  • Veterans (8 speeches)
    Thank you, Madam President. My question is to the Minister representing the Minister for Veterans' Affairs. DVA requires doctors to provide medical evidence for liability and personal injury...
  • Humanitarian Visas (8 speeches)
    My question is to the Minister for Foreign Affairs, Senator Wong. Minister, I would like to ask about Australia's commitment to Afghans who assisted our Defence Force personnel during the...
  • National Security (8 speeches)
    My question is to the Minister representing the Minister for Home Affairs, Senator Watt. An Islamic State bride, Rayann El Houli, accused of indoctrinating her children into violent jihad, was...
  • Wages and Salaries (13 speeches)
    My question is to the Minister representing the Minister for Employment and Workplace Relations, Senator Watt. I'm very proud to be a member of an Albanese Labor government that's delivering real...
  • Taxation (26 speeches)
    My question is to the Minister representing the Prime Minister, Senator Wong, Minister, since Labor's May budget, Westpac says that new home loan applications have fallen by 20 per cent, while...
  • Medical Workforce (8 speeches)
    My question is to the Minister representing the Minister for Health and Ageing, Senator McAllister. We on this side of the chamber know how important it is to ensure that Australia has the health...
• Questions without Notice: Take Note of Answers (0 speeches)
  • Housing (9 speeches)
    I move: That the Senate take note of all coalition questions. It is dishonest and delusional to suggest that the housing market is doing well under Labor, that they're fixing housing in...
  • Gambling (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 I asked today relating to gambling regulation. In the three...
  • National Security (1 speech)
    I move: That the Senate take note of the answer given by the Minister representing the Minister for Home Affairs (Senator Watt) to a question without notice I asked today relating to national...
  • Veterans (1 speech)
    I move: That the Senate take note of the answer given by the Minister for the National Disability Insurance Scheme (Senator McAllister) to a question without notice I asked today relating to...
• Notices (0 speeches)
  • Presentation (1 speech)
    I give notice that, on the next day of sitting, I will introduce a private senator's bill to remove the stoppage of voluntary assisted dying via a carriage service. This is a law that needs to...
• Condolences (0 speeches)
  • Denman, Ms Kay Janet, Hinch, Mr Derryn Nigel, Tate, Hon. and Reverend Professor Michael Carter, AO (1 speech)
    It is with deep regret that I inform the Senate of the death of three former senators: on 20 April 2026, of Kay Janet Denman, a senator for Tasmania from 1993 to 2005; on 5 June 2026 of the Hon....
• Business (0 speeches)
  • Consideration of Legislation (1 speech)
    I move: That the following general business orders of the day be considered this week at the time for private senators' bills: No. 46 Unlocking Supply of Family Homes Bill 2025—Wednesday,...
• Notices (0 speeches)
  • Withdrawal (1 speech)
    At the request of Senator Hume, I withdraw business of the Senate notice of motion No. 1 for tomorrow.
• Committees (0 speeches)
  • Reporting Date (1 speech)
    If there is no objection, the business is postponed.
• Documents (0 speeches)
  • Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme; Order for the Production of Documents (1 speech)
    I move: That there be laid on the table by the Minister representing the Minister for Health and Ageing, by no later than midday on Thursday, 13 August 2026, all documents, consultation notes,...
  • Victoria: Infrastructure; Order for the Production of Documents (1 speech)
    At the request of Senator Hume, I move: That there be laid on the table by the Minister representing the Minister for Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government, by no...
  • Workplace Relations; Order for the Production of Documents (1 speech)
    At the request of Senator Hume, I move: That there be laid on the table by the Minister representing the Minister for Employment and Workplace Relations, by no later than 9 am on 19 August 2026,...
• Committees (0 speeches)
  • Productivity in Australia Select Committee; Reporting Date (2 speeches)
    At the request of the Chair of the Select Committee on Productivity in Australia, Senator Bragg, I move: That the time for the presentation of the report of the Select Committee on Productivity...
• Matters of Urgency (0 speeches)
  • Taxation (16 speeches)
    Senator Cash has submitted a proposal, under standing order 75, today, which is shown at item 13 on today's Order of Business: That, in the opinion of the Senate, the following is a matter of...
  • National Security (7 speeches)
    The Senate will now consider the proposal, under standing order 75, from Senator Roberts, which is also shown at item 13 of today's Order of Business: That, in the opinion of the Senate, the...
• Committees (0 speeches)
  • Economics Legislation Committee; Additional Information (1 speech)
    As the Chair of the Senate Economics Legislation Committee, I present additional information received by the committee on its inquiry into the Treasury Laws Amendment (Business Registries...
  • Environment and Communications Legislation Committee; Report (1 speech)
    At the request of the Chair of the Environment and Communications Legislation Committee, I present a report of the committee on a matter of parliamentary privilege.
  • Community Affairs Legislation Committee; Report (1 speech)
    At the request of the Chair of the Community Affairs Legislation Committee, I present the report of the committee on the provisions of the Aged Care Legislation Amendment (Aboriginal and Torres...
  • Productivity in Australia Select Committee; Report (1 speech)
    On behalf of Senator Bragg, I present the interim report of the Select Committee on Productivity in Australia, together with accompanying documents. I move: That the Senate take note of the...
• Petitions (0 speeches)
  • Middle East (1 speech)
    by leave—I table a non-conforming petition signed by 3,069 residents of Australia calling on the Labor government to sanction Netanyahu and Israel's war cabinet.
• Committees (0 speeches)
  • Productivity in Australia Select Committee; Report (9 speeches)
    As a member of the Senate committee examining productivity, I can say this has been a really excellent committee. We've heard a vast amount of testimony from right across the housing and...
  • Intelligence and Security Joint Committee; Report (1 speech)
    I present the advisory report of the Parliamentary Joint Committee on Intelligence and Security on the Anti-Money Laundering and Counter-Terrorism Financing Amendment Bill 2026. I move: That the...
  • Finance and Public Administration Legislation Committee; Government Response to Report (1 speech)
    In respect of the government response to the Finance and Public Administration Legislation Committee's report on the Public Governance, Performance and Accountability Amendment (Ban Unethical...
• Ministerial Statements (0 speeches)
  • Ocean of Peace Alliance and Fiji-Australia Vuvale Union (10 speeches)
    I table the Ocean of Peace Alliance and the Fiji-Australia Vuvale Union treaties, together with associated documents, and I move: That the Senate take note of the documents. At a time of great...
• Documents (0 speeches)
  • Snowy 2.0, Cheaper Home Batteries Program, National Access to Justice Partnership 2025-30, Workforce Australia; Order for the Production of Documents (1 speech)
    I table documents relating to the orders for production of documents concerning Snowy Hydro Limited, the Cheaper Home Batteries Program, the National Access to Justice Partnership and employment...
• Committees (0 speeches)
  • Community Affairs Legislation Committee, Education and Employment Legislation Committee, Education and Employment References Committee, Finance and Public Administration References Committee, Selection of Bills Committee, Senators' Interests Committee; Membership (2 speeches)
    The President has received a letter requesting changes to membership of committees.
  • Environment and Communications References Committee; Reference (5 speeches)
    Well, here we go again—another day in this parliament, another game of 'guess who this government is working for'. Whether it's gambling reform, whether it's taxing our gas exports or...
• Bills (0 speeches)
  • Crimes and Other Legislation Amendment (Omnibus No. 1) Bill 2026; Second Reading (8 speeches)
    Part 3 of schedule 1 of this bill extends the sunset date for what are called network activity warrants, data disruption warrants, account takeover warrants and related authorisations under the...
• Adjournment (0 speeches)
  • Raper, Mr Chris (1 speech)
    I rise this evening to acknowledge the passing of Chris Raper, a lion of the Labor movement and deeply respected in our organisation. Chris was a peacemaker at a time when so many were warriors....
  • Cost of Living (1 speech)
    Tonight, I rise to speak about the growing financial pressure facing Australian families and the thousands of young Western Australians that the Albanese government encouraged to take on...
  • Victorian Racing Awards, Racing Industry (1 speech)
    Tonight, I want to discuss one of the premier events in the Victorian racing calendar, which is the Victorian Racing Awards annual event, which was held at the Forum Melbourne theatre on Saturday...
  • Cost of Living (1 speech)
    It's certainly been a cold winter, and it's made worse by Labor's cost-of-living crisis forcing families to choose between heating and eating and anything else. Labor has left many out in the...
  • Foreign Investment (1 speech)
    Betrayal—betrayal is what we have seen in regional Australia from this Labor government. Many, many Australians would now have heard about the situation—the case of Rushy Lagoon,...
  • Personal Information and Privacy (1 speech)
    We're living through a quiet but profound shift in the relationship between the individual and the government in this country. Piece by piece, law by law and system by system, this country is...
  • Food Industry (1 speech)
    Every decision affecting Australian food production should begin with one simple question: does this strengthen or weaken Australia's ability to feed itself? The Albanese Labor government would...
  • Tasmania: Business Investment (1 speech)
    I love my country, but I love my state—my home state of Tasmania—even more. That's why, with an issue we're facing in northern Tasmania, I just cannot understand the state Liberal...
  • Great Australian Bight (4 speeches)
    There is a horizon most Australians will never see, yet one that belongs to every Australian: the Great Australian Bight. The landfall is one of the longest uninterrupted line of cliffs on the...
  • Valedictory (2 speeches)
    This is my final adjournment speech, and I'd like to give a big shout-out to some of the fabulous scientists I've had the privilege and honour to work with over the past 14 years in the...
  • Whish-Wilson, Senator Peter, Queensland: Community Services (1 speech)
    It is an honour to follow Senator Whish-Wilson's last adjournment speech. I'd like to applaud him on his passionate advocacy, especially in relation to Australia's beautiful oceans, which I've...
  • Media, COVID-19 (1 speech)
    It's obvious the media recently declared war on One Nation, and tonight I ask the obvious: what's really going on? Over the last 20 years, the mainstream media's market penetration has crashed....
  • Askew, Ms Wendy Anne, Taxation, Prime Minister (1 speech)
    I wish to start this evening by acknowledging and thanking my good friend Wendy Askew, who resigned from this place yesterday afternoon. Former senator Askew leaves this parliament having made an...
  • Department of Veterans' Affairs (1 speech)
    I rise to speak about the Department of Veterans' Affairs. I got into the Senate because I found out the hard way that the Department of Veterans' Affairs had one policy and one policy only when...