Senate debates

Thursday, 20 August 2026

• Bills (0 speeches)
  • Superannuation Legislation Amendment (Fair Super for Young Workers) Bill 2026; Second Reading (6 speeches)
    I rise to speak to my private senator's bill, the Superannuation Legislation Amendment (Fair Super for Young Workers) Bill 2026. The Greens are proud to bring forward this bill because we believe...
  • News Journalism Payments Bill 2026, News Journalism Payments (Consequential Amendments) Bill 2026, News Media Bargaining (Administration) Bill 2026, News Media Bargaining Charge Bill 2026, Treasury Laws Amendment (News Media Bargaining) (Consequential) 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.
  • News Journalism Payments Bill 2026, News Journalism Payments (Consequential Amendments) Bill 2026, News Media Bargaining (Administration) Bill 2026, News Media Bargaining Charge Bill 2026, Treasury Laws Amendment (News Media Bargaining) (Consequential) Bill 2026; Second Reading (8 speeches)
    I table a revised explanatory memorandum relating to three of 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...
• Committees (0 speeches)
  • Selection of Bills Committee; Report (8 speeches)
    At the request of Senator Sheldon, I present report no. 10 of 2026 of the Selection of Bills Committee. I seek leave to have the report incorporated in Hansard. Leave granted. The report read as...
  • Artificial Intelligence Joint Select Committee; Appointment (2 speeches)
    A message has been received from the House of Representatives transmitting for concurrence a resolution relating to the formation of a joint select committee on artificial intelligence. The...
• Business (0 speeches)
  • Rearrangement (1 speech)
    I move: That general business notice of motion No. 634 be considered during general business today. Question agreed to.
• Notices (0 speeches)
  • Withdrawal (1 speech)
    At the request of Senator Bragg, I withdraw business of the Senate notice of motion No. 2 for today.
• Committees (0 speeches)
  • Economics References Committee; Reference (1 speech)
    I move: That the following matter be referred to the Economics References Committee for inquiry and report by 1 March 2027: The role of social housing in Australia, including public and community...
  • Legal and Constitutional Affairs References Committee; Reference (1 speech)
    At the request of Senator Antic, I move: That the following matter be referred to the Legal and Constitutional Affairs References Committee for inquiry and report by 30 April 2027: The prevalence...
  • Rural and Regional Affairs and Transport References Committee; Reference (2 speeches)
    I move: That the following matter be referred to the Rural and Regional Affairs and Transport References Committee for inquiry and report by 15 February 2027: The operation and administration of...
• Notices (0 speeches)
  • Withdrawal (1 speech)
    I withdraw general business notice of motion 589.
• Documents (0 speeches)
  • Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade; Order for the Production of Documents (2 speeches)
    I move: That there be laid on the table by the Minister for Foreign Affairs, by no later than 9 am on Monday, 7 September 2026, all correspondence, meeting notes, briefing papers, minutes,...
• Bills (0 speeches)
  • Migration Amendment (Overseas Organ Transplant Disclosure) Bill 2026; First Reading (1 speech)
    I move: That the following bill be introduced: A Bill for an Act to amend the Migration Act 1958, and for related purposes. Migration Amendment (Overseas Organ Transplant Disclosure) Bill 2026....
  • Migration Amendment (Overseas Organ Transplant Disclosure) Bill 2026; Second Reading (1 speech)
    I move: That this bill be now read a second time. I seek leave to table an explanatory memorandum relating to the bill. Leave granted. I table an explanatory memorandum and seek leave to have the...
• Documents (0 speeches)
  • Aged Care; Order for the Production of Documents (1 speech)
    At the request of Senator Ruston, I move: That there be laid on the table by the Minister representing the Minister for Aged Care and Seniors, by no later than Tuesday, 25 August 2026, any...
  • Climate Change; Order for the Production of Documents (2 speeches)
    At the request of Senator Henderson, I move: That there be laid on the table by the Minister representing the Minister for Climate Change and Energy, by no later than Friday, 28 August 2026: (a)...
  • Capacity Investment Scheme, Cheaper Home Batteries Program, Rewiring the Nation, Small-Scale Renewable Energy Scheme; Order for the Production of Documents (2 speeches)
    At the request of Senator Henderson, I move general business notices of motion Nos 636, 637, 638, 639 and 640 together: GENERAL BUSINESS NOTICE OF MOTION NO. 636 That there be laid on the table...
  • AdStop; 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 10 am on Friday, 21 August 2026: (a) any documents, notes, briefings and...
• Bills (0 speeches)
  • Australian Security Intelligence Organisation Amendment Bill (No. 2) 2025; Second Reading (41 speeches)
    I rise to reaffirm my opposition to this terrible bill. The Australian Security Intelligence Organisation Amendment Bill (No. 2) 2025 is a deeply flawed bill. I set out my reasons when the bill...
  • News Journalism Payments Bill 2026, News Journalism Payments (Consequential Amendments) Bill 2026, News Media Bargaining (Administration) Bill 2026, News Media Bargaining Charge Bill 2026, Treasury Laws Amendment (News Media Bargaining) (Consequential) Bill 2026; Limitation of Debate (6 speeches)
    Pursuant to order agreed on 18 August 2026, the time allotted for consideration of 12 bills has expired. I'll now put the question on the remaining stages of the bills. The question is that the...
  • Crimes and Other Legislation Amendment (Omnibus No. 1) Bill 2026; Limitation of Debate (4 speeches)
    I will now deal with the Crimes and Other Legislation Amendment (Omnibus No. 1) Bill 2026. When the bill was last considered, the votes on the amendments moved by Senator Shorebridge and Senator...
  • Cash Distribution Framework Bill 2026, Cash Distribution Framework (Consequential Amendments and Transitional Provisions) Bill 2026; Limitation of Debate (2 speeches)
    I further remind senators that the order which was passed in the chamber earlier in the week allows for question time to start at a later time. I'll begin with the second reading amendment moved...
  • Customs Tariff Amendment (Incorporation of Proposals) Bill (No. 1) 2026; Limitation of Debate (2 speeches)
    I'll now deal with the Customs Tariff Amendment (Incorporation of Proposals) Bill (No. 1) 2026. I'll begin with the second reading amendment circulated by One Nation. The question is that the...
  • Combatting Illicit Tobacco Bill 2026; Limitation of Debate (3 speeches)
    I move: That this bill be now read a first time. Question agreed to. Bill read a first time.
  • Australia's Foreign Relations (State and Territory Arrangements) Amendment Bill 2026; Limitation of Debate (5 speeches)
    I move: That this bill be now read a first time. Question agreed to. Bill read a first time.
  • Australian Security Intelligence Organisation Amendment Bill (No. 2) 2025; Limitation of Debate (12 speeches)
    I will now deal with the Australian Security Intelligence Organisation Amendment Bill (No. 2) 2025. I'll begin with the second reading amendment moved by Senator Shoebridge. The question is that...
• Questions without Notice (0 speeches)
  • Economy (20 speeches)
    My question is to the Minister representing the Prime Minister, Senator Wong. Minister, can you confirm reports in the Australian newspaper that today, for the first time in Australia's history,...
  • Employment (26 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...
  • Veterans (8 speeches)
    My question is to the Minister representing the Prime Minister, Senator Wong. Veterans affairs minister Matt Keogh has lost the trust of the veterans community because he has treated them with...
  • International Relations: Australia and Israel (8 speeches)
    My question is to Minister Wong. Minister, Australian aid worker Zomi Frankcom and six of her colleagues were hunted and murdered by the Israeli army. For over two years, your government has...
  • Indigenous Australians: Early Childhood Education and Care (8 speeches)
    My question is to the Minister for Early Childhood Education, Senator Walsh. Quality early learning gives First Nations children the very best start in life. It helps them learn, develop and...
  • Fuel (13 speeches)
    My question is to the Minister representing the Prime Minister, Senator Wong. What additional costs at the petrol bowser will Australians be slugged under the government's new proposed carbon tax...
  • Medicare (12 speeches)
    My question is to the Minister representing the Minister for Health and Ageing, Senator McAllister. The Albanese Labor government believes in a simple principle. We believe that, no matter where...
  • Visa Refusal or Cancellation (8 speeches)
    My question is to the Minister representing the Minister for Home Affairs, Minister Watt. A recent media report has highlighted that on 475 occasions since 23 March the ART set aside visa...
  • Wages and Salaries (34 speeches)
    My question is to the minister for youth, Senator Walsh. Young Australians want the same opportunities as the generations before them: a good job, fair pay and the chance to build a secure...
  • Economy (25 speeches)
    My question is to the Minister representing the Treasurer, Senator Gallagher. With $1 trillion in government debt, how much is the Commonwealth currently paying on interest on this debt each minute?
  • Housing (17 speeches)
    My question is to the Minister representing the Minister for Housing, Minister for Homelessness and Minister for Cities, Senator Ayres. For too long, too many Australians have felt that the...
• Questions without Notice: Take Note of Answers (0 speeches)
  • Answers to Questions (15 speeches)
    I move: That the Senate take note of the answers given by ministers to questions without notice asked by Opposition senators today. Unfortunately for Australians, the economic news is all bad....
  • International Relations: Australia and Israel (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 Australian-Israeli relations. What...
  • National Security (1 speech)
    I move: That the Senate take note of the answer given by Minister Watt to a question without notice I asked today relating to national security. One Nation is the party that puts the safety of...
• Committees (0 speeches)
  • Economics Legislation Committee; Additional Information (1 speech)
    At the request of the Chair of the Economics Legislation Committee, I present additional information received by the committee on its inquiry into the provisions of the Treasury Laws Amendment...
• Budget (0 speeches)
  • Consideration by Estimates Committees (1 speech)
    At the request of the Chair of the Rural and Regional Affairs and Transport Legislation Committee, Senator Sterle, I present additional information relating to estimates.
• Committees (0 speeches)
  • Intelligence and Security Joint Committee; Report (1 speech)
    At the request of the Chair of the Parliamentary Joint Committee on Intelligence and Security, I present the advisory report on Australia's Foreign Relations (State and Territory Arrangements)...
  • Public Works Joint Committee; Report (1 speech)
    I present the fifth report of the 2026 Parliamentary Standing Committee on Public Works.
• Documents (0 speeches)
  • Tabling (1 speech)
    by leave—I table a deed of settlement and release and a statement from Fiona Brown.
• Committees (0 speeches)
  • Scrutiny of Bills Committee; Scrutiny Digest (1 speech)
    I present Scrutiny digest 10 of 2026 of the Standing Committee for the Scrutiny of Bills, together with ministerial correspondence received by the committee. I move: That the Senate take note of...
  • Education and Employment Legislation Committee, Finance and Public Administration Legislation Committee, Finance and Public Administration References Committee, Legal and Constitutional Affairs References Committee, Northern Australia Joint Committee; Government Response to Report (1 speech)
    I present six government responses to committee reports as listed on today's Order of Business. In accordance with the usual practice, I seek leave to incorporate the documents in Hansard. Leave...
  • Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade References Committee; Report (1 speech)
    On behalf of Senator Collins and the Senate Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade References Committee, I present the report of the Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade References Committee,...
  • Senators' Interests Committee; Report (1 speech)
    On behalf of Senator Kovacic, Chair of the Senate Standing Committee of Senators' Interests, I present the Register of Senators' Interests incorporating statements of registrable interests and...
  • Legal and Constitutional Affairs References Committee; Additional Information (1 speech)
    On behalf of the Chair of the Legal and Constitutional Affairs References Committee, Senator Blyth, I present additional information received by the committee on its inquiry into offshore...
• Documents (0 speeches)
  • Order for the Production of Documents (1 speech)
    I table documents relating to 11 orders for the production of documents as listed in the document available in the chamber.
• Committees (0 speeches)
  • Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Affairs Joint Committee, Artificial Intelligence Joint Select Committee, Economics Legislation Committee, Economics References Committee, Parliamentary Standards Joint Committee, Women's Health Select Committee; Membership (2 speeches)
    Order! The President has received letters requesting changes in the membership of various committees.
• Bills (0 speeches)
  • Counter-Terrorism 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.
  • Counter-Terrorism 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— COUNTER-TERRORISM...
  • Administrative and Judicial Review 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.
  • Administrative and Judicial Review 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— ADMINISTRATIVE AND...
• Motions (0 speeches)
  • International Relations: Australia and the United States of America (6 speeches)
    I move the motion, which I will read out: That the Senate— (a) notes that, over the past week, United States (US) President Donald Trump: (i) has threatened to 'bomb the s***' out of its...
• Adjournment (0 speeches)
  • Superannuation (1 speech)
    Few reforms have done more to improve the lives of working Australians than compulsory superannuation. It was a Labor government, led by Paul Keating, that created superannuation. It remains one...
  • China: Human Rights (1 speech)
    I rise this evening to draw the Senate's attention to a deeply concerning development that extends well beyond the borders of the People's Republic of China and reaches into migrant communities...
  • Australian Security Intelligence Organisation Amendment Bill (No. 2) 2025 (1 speech)
    Today, in this place, the war parties teamed up to strip the rule of law from Australians. The ASIO amendment bill will massively expand ASIO's coercive questioning and detention powers. This is...
  • Australian Society (1 speech)
    I rise this evening to talk about values in Australia—those values that represent the best of our country. As we see around the world the nativist and racist sentiments that have gained...
  • Yazidi Australian Community (1 speech)
    I want to spend a short period this evening thanking and recognising the great contribution of the Yazidi community to our country, particularly a section of that community from Coffs Harbour who...
  • Economy (1 speech)
    Nobody wants a pay cut. I can say that pretty safely. But that's exactly what Labor's inflation has delivered over the last four years. It is more than just rising prices. It is the erosion of...