Senate debates
Wednesday, 9 September 2026
- Committees (0 speeches)
- Meeting (1 speech)
If there is no objection, the meetings are authorised.
- Documents (0 speeches)
- Bills (0 speeches)
- Motions (0 speeches)
- Royal Commission into Defence and Veteran Suicide (5 speeches)
by leave—I, and also on behalf of Senators Canavan, Shoebridge, David Pocock, Thorpe, Roberts and Payman, move: We move—That the Senate: (a) notes that today marks two years since the...
- Bills (0 speeches)
- Statements by Senators (0 speeches)
- Gender Equality (1 speech)
I rise to speak about the Albanese Labor government's record of delivering real change for Australian women and our determination as a government to keep pursuing genuine gender equality. For...
- Royal Commission on Antisemitism and Social Cohesion (1 speech)
I thank the Senate for the opportunity to make some remarks about the concluding Royal Commission into Antisemitism and Social Cohesion in Australia. The context for this royal commission was...
- Middle East (1 speech)
(): Settlements are illegal under international law. Canada, France, and the UK will therefore take steps to ban the importation of goods from settlements and enforce targeted measures against...
- Construction, Forestry and Maritime Employees Union (1 speech)
In some breaking news, but news that won't shock many in this chamber, police raided the CFMEU headquarters in Brisbane this morning, and three people have been arrested in Victoria in a...
- Generation Z, Labor Government (1 speech)
Ask young Australians what's holding them back from having kids, and you may be surprised. It's not necessarily housing or the cost of living but rather climate change and whether they'll have...
- Mates (1 speech)
I rise to recognise an organisation doing extraordinary work in the industries that are vital to this country but where too many workers are struggling in silence. Today I met with...
- Pacific Islands (1 speech)
Before I begin, I want to associate myself with the comments from the good senator from North Queensland, Senator MacDonald, and acknowledge the good work that Mates do in our communities,...
- Indigenous Australians: Cultural Heritage (1 speech)
Today I rise to speak the words of a young Kuyani man who is writing on behalf of all Kuyani elders. He writes: Dear Senator Lidia Thorpe, Ministers of the Federal Government and Senators of...
- Briffa, Ms Emily (1 speech)
I rise today to speak about a recent visit to the Hamlet cafe in Hobart with Minister Jenny McAllister and to recognise the work of Hamlet's founder and CEO, Emily Briffa. It was great to sit...
- Labor Government: Cybersafety (1 speech)
Labor's relentless march towards a future where they have ever-increasing powers to censor and control your speech continues like a runaway train. What is driving Labor's obsession with silencing...
- Australian Society (2 speeches)
Immigration is the question of our generation. How we answer it will determine what sort of Australia moves into the next era. The majority of Australians believe we're headed for...
- Taxation (3 speeches)
Australians are working harder, paying more for everything and paying more tax. Still, for the Albanese Labor government, it is never enough. The latest ABS government finance statistics show...
- Women's Health (1 speech)
I've stood in this chamber many times before to raise the importance of prioritising and adequately investing in women's health and listening to women's voices not just with empathy but through...
- Australian Curriculum (1 speech)
Australia has a serious problem with misogyny, particularly amongst young men and boys. When a quarter of teenage boys think feminism should be resisted with violence if necessary, we have a...
- Freedom of Speech (1 speech)
The exposure draft of the Labor government's Digital Duty of Care Bill was released yesterday, and it is much worse than we first thought. It is nothing more than another attempt by this...
- Western Australia: Australian Defence Force (1 speech)
I rise to mark a defining moment for Western Australia and our national security. On 24 August the Albanese and Cook Labor governments announced the selection of the site for the new Henderson...
- Albanese Government (3 speeches)
Government money is not Labor Party money. Taxpayer money is not Labor Party money. It does not belong to Anthony Albanese, and it does not belong to any political party to treat as—
- Illicit Tobacco (1 speech)
In the early hours of 1 July, 50 metres from my electorate office in Richmond, a tobacco shop was firebombed; just five days later, on Victoria Street, around the corner, a car rammed into...
- International Relations: Australia and South Korea (1 speech)
Australia and Korea are comprehensive strategic partners in a rapidly shifting geopolitical environment. Our countries have longstanding people-to-people links that have enriched Australian...
- Data Centres (1 speech)
Who benefits from this data centre frenzy being pushed across Victoria? It isn't regular Victorians, who are facing higher energy prices and an increased risk of blackouts. It isn't the elderly...
- Cybersafety (1 speech)
The government's social media ban has failed, not according to me but according to the evidence. Eighty-five per cent of under-16s in a recent study are still using the very platforms that this...
- Tasmania: Manufacturing (1 speech)
Tasmania is less than one per cent of Australia's landmass and home to barely two per cent of its people, but our size has never set the limit on what we can build. A few weeks ago, the world's...
- Macquarie Point Stadium (1 speech)
I've had a problem with the Macquarie Point Stadium since day one. Don't get me wrong; like most Tasmanians, I love my footy. But we already have two perfectly great stadiums, and the one up in...
- Crimes Amendment (Prohibiting Shackling During Childbirth) Bill 2026 (1 speech)
When I've told people in this place about my bill to end shackling during childbirth, people's reaction has been, 'Does this really happen? Surely not.' Well, it does right across the country and...
- Online Safety Amendment (Digital Duty of Care) Bill 2026 (1 speech)
We are suffocating under Labor's economic mismanagement, and now Big Brother has a bill that starves the 2.6 million Australian businesses that rely on digital platforms for sales, marketing and...
- Superannuation (1 speech)
This week One Nation joined with the Liberals and the Nationals in their fight to attack universal super. One Nation wants to raid your super to claim to be helping you to pay your bills. One...
- Questions without Notice (0 speeches)
- Fiscal Policy (8 speeches)
My question is to the minister representing the Prime Minister, Senator Wong. Why was the Prime Minister's local Marrickville golf club the only golf club in the whole country invited to apply...
- Cybersafety (11 speeches)
My question is to the Minister representing the Prime Minister, Senator Wong. Yesterday, alongside the communications minister as well as representatives from the community, family organisations...
- Distinguished Visitors (0 speeches)
- Acknowledgement (2 speeches)
Order! I draw to the attention of honourable senators the presence in the chamber of a parliamentary delegation from Uganda, led by the Hon. Ofwono Opondo. On behalf of all senators, I wish you a...
- Ministry (0 speeches)
- Temporary Arrangements (1 speech)
I inform the Senate that Senator Farrell, the Minister for Trade and Tourism, will be absent from question time today. I have advised the chamber of the ministerial changes.
- Questions without Notice (0 speeches)
- Prime Minister (24 speeches)
I note that Queensland has a wonderful Ugandan community, as well. My question is to the Minister representing the Prime Minister, Senator Wong. The ABC reports a spokesperson for the...
- Domestic, Family and Sexual Violence (16 speeches)
My question is to the Minister for Women, Senator Gallagher. There were 39,758 victims of sexual assault in Australia last year. Today's annual report to parliament by the Domestic, Family and...
- International Relations: Australia and Israel (8 speeches)
My question is for Minister Wong. Minister Wong, you announced yesterday that the Albanese Labor government will not pursue a full ban on importing goods from illegal Israeli settlements in the...
- Taxation (15 speeches)
My question is to the Minister representing the Prime Minister, Senator Wong. After the coalition forced Labor to fix its widow tax, we've now discovered Labor's latest trust tax will simply...
- Workplace Relations (12 speeches)
My question is to the Minister representing the Minister for Employment and Workplace Relations, Senator Watt. In June, the Senate Education and Employment References Committee tabled its report...
- Vocational Education and Training (20 speeches)
My question is to the Minister representing the Minister for Skills and Training, Minister Watt. Today we all celebrate National TAFE Day, a day to recognise the important work TAFE...
- Veterans: Health Care (8 speeches)
My question is to the Minister representing the Prime Minister, Minister Wong. Chris May is an Afghanistan veteran. He did two tours, one as a Bushmaster driver and one as a commander in which he...
- Early Childhood Education and Care (9 speeches)
My question is to the Minister for Early Childhood Education and the Minister for Youth, Minister Walsh. On National TAFE Day, we've already heard how free TAFE is opening doors for Australians,...
- Questions without Notice: Take Note of Answers (0 speeches)
- Fiscal Policy (5 speeches)
I move: That the Senate take note of answers to coalition questions 1 and 2. In particular, we want to relate the Prime Minister's character to the events of the grant to the Marrickville golf...
- Domestic, Family and Sexual Violence (1 speech)
I move: That the Senate take note of the answer given by the Minister for Women to the question I asked today. We've all watched in horror as headline after headline about sexual assaults has hit...
- 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 the Middle East. In my question to...
- Notices (0 speeches)
- Presentation (1 speech)
On behalf of the Standing Committee for the Scrutiny of Delegated Legislation, I give notice of my intention at the giving of notices on the next day of sitting to withdraw notices of motion...
- Committees (0 speeches)
- Community Affairs References Committee; Reference (1 speech)
I move: That the following matter be referred to the Community Affairs References Committee for inquiry and report by 30 October 2026: The effectiveness of the 2025 National Health Reform...
- Public Works Joint Committee; Reference (1 speech)
I move government business notices of motion Nos 1 and 2 together: GOVERNMENT BUSINESS NOTICE OF MOTION NO. 1 That, in accordance with the provisions of the Public Works Committee Act 1969, 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 midday on Monday, 14 September...
- Online Safety (Age-Restricted Social Media Platforms) Amendment Rules 2026; Order for the Production of Documents (1 speech)
I move: That there be laid on the table by the Minister representing the Minister for Communications, by no later than 5 pm on Thursday, 15 October 2026, copies of all ministerial submissions,...
- Outstanding Government Responses; Order for the Production of Documents (1 speech)
At the request of Senator Dean Smith, I move: (1) That the Senate notes that: (a) in accordance with Senate resolution 44, government responses to committee reports are required to be tabled...
- Migration; Order for the Production of Documents (1 speech)
At the request of Senator Duniam, I move: (1) That there be laid on the table by the Minister representing the Minister for Home Affairs, by no later than 5 pm on Tuesday, 15 September 2026,...
- Department of Defence; Order for the Production of Documents (1 speech)
At the request of Senator David Pocock and Senator Shoebridge, I move: That there be laid on the table by the Minister representing the Minister for Defence, by no later than 9 am on Tuesday, 15...
- Major and Local Community Infrastructure Program; Order for the Production of Documents (1 speech)
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 later than 5 pm on Tuesday, 6...
- Motions (0 speeches)
- Australian Senate (1 speech)
I seek leave to amend general business notice of motion No. 673. Leave granted. I, and also on behalf of Senator David Pocock, Senator Waters and Senator Lambie, move the motion as amended: That...
- Documents (0 speeches)
- Australian Parliament; Order for the Production of Documents (1 speech)
I inform the Senate that Senator Lambie also co-sponsored this motion. I, and also on behalf of Senators Cash, Waters and Lambie, move: That there be laid on the table by the Minister...
- Housing Australia Future Fund; Order for the Production of Documents (1 speech)
At the request of Senator Bragg, I move: That there be laid on the table by the Minister representing the Minister for Housing, by no later than midday on Tuesday, 15 September 2026, any...
- Major and Local Community Infrastructure Program; 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 Prime Minister, by no later than midday on 16 September 2026, any correspondence,...
- Housing; Order for the Production of Documents (1 speech)
At the request of Senator Bragg, I move: That the Senate— (a) notes that: (i) on 19 August 2026, the Senate agreed to order for the production of documents no. 618, relating to the 5%...
- Committees (0 speeches)
- Documents (0 speeches)
- Matters of Urgency (0 speeches)
- Superannuation (65 speeches)
Senator Hanson has submitted a proposal, under standing order 75, today, which has been circulated and is shown on the Dynamic Red. That, in the opinion of the Senate, the following is a matter...
- Matters of Public Importance (0 speeches)
- Housing (3 speeches)
Senator Bragg has submitted a proposal, under standing order 75, today, which has been circulated and is shown on the Dynamic Red: The Government's failure on housing, including the Budget tax...
- First Speech (0 speeches)
- Bleyer, Senator Vanessa (2 speeches)
Pursuant to order, I now call Senator Bleyer to make her first speech and ask senators that the usual courtesies be extended to her.
- Matters of Public Importance (0 speeches)
- Housing (5 speeches)
That's a hard speech to follow—a very powerful speech from our new senator. It was a very moving speech, too, to welcome her and hear more about her. I return now to the business of Senator...
- Documents (0 speeches)
- Temporary Chairs of Committees (2 speeches)
I move: That the Senate take note of the document. I just want to acknowledge—I don't often get to do this because I'm often in the chamber in this chair when these things happen. But...
- Committees (0 speeches)
- Documents (0 speeches)
- Ministerial Statements (0 speeches)
- Domestic, Family and Sexual Violence Commission (5 speeches)
I table the Domestic, Family and Sexual Violence Commission's 2026 report to parliament and a ministerial statement from the Minister for Social Services, Ms Plibersek, relating to the report. I...
- Documents (0 speeches)
- Tabling (1 speech)
by leave—I table the joint foreign ministers statement on the two-state solution, being the 'Statement of the foreign ministers of Canada, Denmark, Finland, France, Iceland, Ireland,...
- Bills (0 speeches)
- Adjournment (0 speeches)
- Superannuation (1 speech)
I want to speak tonight about the importance of superannuation and what it means for Australian workers. As I've said in this chamber previously, I worked for a short-term money market in...
- September 11 Attacks: 25th Anniversary (1 speech)
This week we will mark the 25th anniversary of the terrorist attacks of 9/11 or 11 September 2001, a day that forever altered the course of history and left an indelible mark on both the United...
- Taxation, Working Holiday Maker Program (1 speech)
Let me paint a picture for you. This picture is of a family. Let's say they've got two children. They might be a farming family. They might own a small business. They have chosen, for very...
