Senate debates

Monday, 17 August 2026

• Committees (0 speeches)
  • Meeting (1 speech)
    If there is no objection, the meetings are authorised.
• Business (0 speeches)
  • Withdrawal (7 speeches)
    I seek leave to move a motion to discharge the National Disability Insurance Scheme Amendment (Securing the NDIS for Future Generations) Bill 2026 from the Notice Paper. Leave not granted....
• Bills (0 speeches)
  • National Disability Insurance Scheme Amendment (Securing the NDIS for Future Generations) Bill 2026; Second Reading (15 speeches)
    I rise to speak on the National Disability Insurance Scheme Amendment (Securing the NDIS for Future Generations) Bill 2026 and move: At the end of the motion, add ", but the Senate notes that:...
• Statements by Senators (0 speeches)
  • Veterans (1 speech)
    This morning, I had the privilege to stand with veterans, clinicians and organisations from across Australia as they launched the coalition of veterans' voices. They have come together because...
  • Tasmanian Government (1 speech)
    I simply stand in this place unable to understand why the Liberal Party at a federal level in this chamber and in the Tasmanian parliament are refusing to support the project which is going to...
  • Timor-Leste (1 speech)
    In July, I was lucky enough to visit Timor-Leste, or East Timor, as part of a parliamentary delegation put on by Save the Children. It was a very important and very special visit. I'd never been...
  • New South Wales: Roads (1 speech)
    I want to talk about the Great Western Highway and the lack of conversations we're having about the troubles on the way out there. Currently, the Central West remains the only major New South...
  • Wages and Salaries (1 speech)
    Like so many young Australians, one of my first jobs was in the retail sector, and I'm a very proud continuing member of the SDA union. I rise to celebrate and recognise a fantastic magazine, the...
  • National Security (1 speech)
    One Nation takes the safety of Australians seriously. That is why we are calling for the Labor government to ban immigration from countries that DFAT have designated as 'do not travel' because of...
  • Economy (1 speech)
    If you needed any more proof that the Labor government had taken a chainsaw to the living standards of Australians, it came out again in the latest Australian Bureau of Statistics figures. We see...
  • Superannuation (1 speech)
    Well, well—Senator Hanson and One Nation have shown us their true colours yet again. Apparently, it wasn't enough for Senator Hanson to come after paid parental leave. It wasn't enough for...
  • Donations to Political Parties (1 speech)
    Most Australians are worse off in real terms than they were a decade ago. The cost of living is rising faster than wages. We're working harder, we're running faster and watching our paycheques...
  • Human Rights (Children Born Alive Protection) Bill 2026, Abortion (1 speech)
    As I speak, outside Parliament House is a gathering of Christians and humanitarians, called to support Mr Llew O'Brien MP's introduction of the Human Rights (Children Born Alive Protection) Bill...
  • Veterans (1 speech)
    Thank you to Senator Lambie, who's ceded her two-minute statement to me. My thoughts are with you, Senator Lambie. It's entirely appropriate, given that you can't be here today, that I talk about...
  • New York Agreement: 64th Anniversary (1 speech)
    This past Saturday marked 64 years since the New York Agreement between the Netherlands and Indonesia that saw the Dutch leave their colony of West Papua and transfer it to the United Nations....
  • Indonesia: Earthquake, Indonesian Independence: 81st Anniversary (1 speech)
    Many Australians would have seen the devastation caused by the weekend's earthquake in Indonesia, in the Nusa Tenggara province, with at least 53 people reported killed and many more injured. I...
  • Indonesian Independence: 81st Anniversary (1 speech)
    I also rise to acknowledge Indonesia's Independence Day, Hari Kemerdekaan, and to extend the opposition's warmest wishes to the people of Indonesia, and to the Indonesian communities here in...
  • Wages and Salaries (6 speeches)
    The lowest gender pay gap ever recorded in Australia is 11.3 per cent. Down from 14.1 per cent when Labor took office, women working full-time now earn $325 more each week than they did in 2022....
• Questions without Notice (0 speeches)
  • Setka, Mr John (10 speeches)
    My question is to the Minister representing the Prime Minister, Senator Wong. On 30 July, the CFMEU administrator, Michael Crosby, was asked on ABC's 7.30 why John Sitka's membership was...
  • Women's Economic Security (8 speeches)
    My question is to the Minister for Finance and Minister for Women, Senator Gallagher. Before the introduction of compulsory superannuation under Labor in the 1990s, most Australian working women...
  • Housing (13 speeches)
    My question is to the Minister representing the Prime Minister, Senator Wong. Australia's largest home builder, Metricon, reports sales falling by 40 per cent in some markets and 'a complete...
  • Department of Employment and Workplace Relations (8 speeches)
    My question is to the Minister for Employment and Workplace Relations. Two weeks ago, the secretary of the department announced their intention to resume welfare payment cancellations and...
  • National Disability Insurance Scheme (11 speeches)
    My question is to the Minister for the National Disability Insurance Scheme, Senator McAllister. The National Disability Insurance Scheme has been life changing for so many Australians with...
  • Economy: Productivity (24 speeches)
    My question is to the Minister representing the Prime Minister, Senator Wong. Productivity fell 0.7 per cent in 2024-25, and the latest quarterly figures show it falling again. The latest ABS...
  • Royal Commission on Antisemitism and Social Cohesion (12 speeches)
    I apologise for missing the call, and I appreciate the indulgence. My question is to the Minister representing the Prime Minister. The Royal Commission on Antisemitism and Social Cohesion was...
  • Migration (12 speeches)
    My question is to the Minister representing the Minister for Immigration and Citizenship, Senator Watt. The government's own Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade tells Australians not to...
  • Isocycloseram (8 speeches)
    My question is for the minister representing agriculture, who I understand is Minister McCarthy. The Australian Pesticides and Veterinary Medicines Authority, APVMA, evaluates, registers and...
  • Victoria's Big Build (22 speeches)
    My question is for the Minister for Finance, Senator Gallagher. With widely reported evidence of $15 billion of CFMEU corruption on Victoria's Big Build, the Commonwealth is providing $30 billion...
  • Workplace Relations (9 speeches)
    My question is to the Minister representing the Minister for Employment and Workplace Relations, Senator Watt. The Albanese Labor government is delivering real change for Australian workers by...
• Questions without Notice: Additional Answers (0 speeches)
  • Royal Commission on Antisemitism and Social Cohesion (1 speech)
    I can provide some further information in relation to the question Senator Shoebridge asked me. I am advised that the Department of Home Affairs have indicated they are not satisfied the...
• Questions without Notice: Take Note of Answers (0 speeches)
  • Answers to Questions (5 speeches)
    I move: That the Senate take note of the answers given by ministers to questions without notice asked by Opposition senators today. We're seeing a slow-motion wreck of the housing market....
  • Department of Employment and Workplace Relations (1 speech)
    I move: That the Senate take note of the answer given by the Minister for the Environment and Water (Senator Watt) to a question without notice I asked today relating to welfare payments. The...
  • Royal Commission on Antisemitism and Social Cohesion (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 Shoebridge today relating to gun buybacks....
  • Migration (1 speech)
    I move: That the Senate take note of the answer given by the Minister representing the Minister for Immigration and Citizenship (Senator Watt) to a question without notice I asked today relating...
• Business (0 speeches)
  • Consideration of Legislation (1 speech)
    I move: That private senators' bills be considered this week as follows: (a) Treasury Laws Amendment (Removing the Widows and Spouses Tax) Bill 2026, on Wednesday, 19 August 2026; and (b)...
• Notices (0 speeches)
  • Postponement (1 speech)
    If there is no objection, the business is postponed.
• Business (0 speeches)
  • Leave of Absence (1 speech)
    by leave—I move: That leave of absence be granted to the following senators: (a) Senator McGrath for 17 August and 18 August 2026, for personal reasons; and (b) Senator Nampijinpa Price...
• Motions (0 speeches)
  • National Security; Order for the Production of Documents (1 speech)
    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 Thursday, 20 August 2026, the legal advice referred to by the Minister...
  • International Relations: Australia and Japan; Order for the Production of Documents (1 speech)
    I move: That there be laid on the table by the Minister representing the Prime Minister, by no later than 2 pm on Thursday, 20 August 2026, any documents concerning the valuation of the four...
  • Taxation; Order for the Production of Documents (2 speeches)
    I move: That there be laid on the table by the Minister representing the Treasurer, by no later than 2 pm on Thursday, 20 August 2026: (a) all documents related to industry consultation referred...
  • Personal Information and Privacy; Order for the Production of Documents (2 speeches)
    I move: That the Senate— (a) notes that: (i) on Thursday, 2 July 2026, the Senate agreed to order for the production of documents no. 559, relating to documents held by the Office of the...
• Notices (0 speeches)
  • Postponement (3 speeches)
    I seek leave to postpone business of the Senate notice of motion No. 3, standing in my name.
• Documents (0 speeches)
  • Commonwealth Procurement: ANL; Order for the Production of Documents (1 speech)
    At the request of Senator McKenzie, I move: That there be laid on the table by the Minister representing the Minister for Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government, by...
  • Housing Australia; Order for the Production of Documents (1 speech)
    At the request of Senator Bragg, I move: That the Senate— (a) notes that: (i) on Tuesday, 30 June 2026, the Senate agreed to order for the production of documents no. 546, relating to first...
  • Minister for Home Affairs; Order for the Production of Documents (1 speech)
    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, 7 September 2026: (a) all...
  • Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade; Order for the Production of Documents (1 speech)
    At the request of Senator Sharma, I move: That there be laid on the table by the Minister for Foreign Affairs, by no later than 5 pm on 1 September 2026, an index of all work products produced...
• Matters of Urgency (0 speeches)
  • Prime Minister (8 speeches)
    Senator Cash has submitted a proposal, under standing order 75, today, as shown at item 13 of today's Order of Business: That, in the opinion of the Senate, the following is a matter of urgency:...
  • Human Rights (11 speeches)
    The Senate will now consider the proposal, under standing order 75, from Senator Thorpe, which is also shown at item 13 of today's Order of Business: That, in the opinion of the Senate, the...
• Business (0 speeches)
  • Leave of Absence (1 speech)
    by leave—I move: That leave of absence be granted to me for 20 August 2026, for personal reasons. Question agreed to.
• Documents (0 speeches)
  • Australian Prudential Regulation Authority, National Disability Insurance Scheme, Prime Minister; Order for the Production of Documents (1 speech)
    I table documents relating to orders for the production of documents concerning the five per cent deposit scheme, the National Disability Insurance Scheme and correspondence with the government...
• Committees (0 speeches)
  • Membership (1 speech)
    by leave—I move: Education and Employment Legislation Committee — Appointed— Substitute member: Senator Hodgins-May to replace Senator Faruqi for the committee's inquiry into...
• Bills (0 speeches)
  • Cash Distribution Framework Bill 2026, Cash Distribution Framework (Consequential Amendments and Transitional Provisions) Bill 2026; First Reading (1 speech)
    I move: That these bills may proceed without formalities, may be taken together and be now read a first time. Question agreed to. Bills read a first time.
  • Cash Distribution Framework Bill 2026, Cash Distribution Framework (Consequential Amendments and Transitional Provisions) Bill 2026; Second Reading (1 speech)
    I table a revised explanatory memorandum relating to the bills and I move: That these bills be now read a second time. I seek leave to have the second reading speeches incorporated in Hansard....
  • Biosecurity Amendment (Improving Operational Efficiency) Bill 2026; Second Reading (2 speeches)
    I move: That this bill be now read a second time. I seek leave to have the second reading speech incorporated in Hansard. Leave granted. The speech read as follows— Australia's biosecurity...
  • Wine and Other Legislation Amendment Bill 2026; First Reading (1 speech)
    I move: That this bill may proceed without formalities and be now read a first time. Question agreed to. Bill read a first time.
  • Wine and Other Legislation Amendment Bill 2026; Second Reading (1 speech)
    I move: That this bill be now read a second time. I seek leave to have the second reading speech incorporated in Hansard. Leave granted. The speech read as follows— Australian farmers,...
• Committees (0 speeches)
  • Environment and Communications Legislation Committee; Report (1 speech)
    At the request of the Chair of the Environment and Communications Legislation Committee, I present the report of the committee on the provision of the Interactive Gambling Amendment (Gambling...
  • Rural and Regional Affairs and Transport References Committee; Reference (11 speeches)
    I rise to speak on this committee referral of the approval of the sale of Rushy Lagoon, and I do so for a very good reason. Even though where I happen to live in Australia is about as far from...
• Bills (0 speeches)
  • National Disability Insurance Scheme Amendment (Securing the NDIS for Future Generations) Bill 2026; Second Reading (3 speeches)
    At the start of my contribution, I spoke at length about the fact that the NDIS is a beneficial scheme for people with disabilities, disabled people, and, of course, so it is. But it also...
  • Crimes and Other Legislation Amendment (Omnibus No. 1) Bill 2026; In Committee (47 speeches)
    The committee is considering amendment (1) on sheet TK115, moved by the government, to opposition amendment (2) on sheet 3803 to the Crimes and Other Legislation Amendment (Omnibus No. 1) Bill...
  • Cash Distribution Framework Bill 2026, Cash Distribution Framework (Consequential Amendments and Transitional Provisions) Bill 2026; Second Reading (7 speeches)
    I'll indicate at the beginning that the Liberal and National parties won't be opposing the Cash Distribution Framework Bill 2026. It's a bill that does establish a reasonable but belated...
• Adjournment (0 speeches)
  • National Science Week, Artificial Intelligence (1 speech)
    This week is National Science Week. When the Minister for Industry and Innovation, Senator Tim Ayres, launched it at Questacon, he put it well: our scientific capability is critical to...
  • South Australia: Environment (1 speech)
    Wendell Berry, a novelist, poet, American farmer and activist, gave this quote: … Nature is party to all our deals and decisions, and she has more votes, a longer memory, and a sterner...
  • West Papua, Middle East (1 speech)
    Yes to that, Senator McLachlan! Today I met with a delegation of people from West Papua led by Benny Wenda, the chairperson of the United Liberation Movement for West Papua, who came here to...
  • Dental Health (1 speech)
    I rise today to recognise the important work being undertaken by the Australian Dental Industry Association and to acknowledge a recent visit that highlighted the difference oral health education...
  • Commonwealth Procurement (1 speech)
    Tonight I want to speak about the privatisation of the public sector via the big four. The partners in the big four consulting firms, PwC, EY, KPMG and Deloitte, are the high priests of...