Senate debates

Tuesday, 25 March 2014

  • Curran, Mr Wally (2 speeches)
    I seek leave to incorporate Senator Carr's speech. Leave granted.
  • Mining (1 speech)
    Last week a truly significant event took place in the history of this country, and I am disappointed that it received scant, if any, comment in this place. It is a slight that I seek to redress...
  • Nelson, Ms Kathrine (1 speech)
    It is my pleasure tonight to rise in this adjournment debate to honour a great lady, Kath Nelson. Last Friday hundreds packed St John's Cathedral in Brisbane City to show their respect and...
  • Sleep Health Foundation (1 speech)
    Senator Furner's contribution to this debate should be noted. I think it says something not only about the person he paid tribute to but about the incredibly good heart that Senator Furner has....
  • Trinity Christian School, Water Pollution (1 speech)
    It was an honour last Friday to represent the Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Education, the Hon. Scott Ryan, at the opening of Trinity Christian School's new facilities at their...
  • Afghanistan: Cricket (1 speech)
    Tonight, as I did last year, I want to speak about the achievements of the Afghanistan national cricket team, the burgeoning cricket scene in Afghanistan and the positive knock-on effects of...
  • Arthritis Awareness Week (1 speech)
    Arthritis is a common condition affecting three million people across Australia of all ages and from all walks of life. These three million Australians are affected by 120 different types of...
  • Mining (1 speech)
    I rise this evening to speak about Labor's failed mining tax and its impact on Western Australia. This is an anti-Western-Australian tax that has not worked. It is time that this tax was...
  • Abbott Government (1 speech)
    Hear ye, hear ye! My Lord, Lady and Lieges: I am shocked and horrified that people are ridiculing the bold and inspirational leadership of the people's Prime Minister, Sir Anthony Abbott of...
  • Sterilisation of Intersex People (3 speeches)
    The Community Affairs References Committee last year completed its inquiry into involuntary or coerced sterilisation of intersex people in Australia. Senator Moore and Senator Boyce will also be...
  • Franceschini, Mr Renzo (1 speech)
    Tonight I rise to pay tribute to Mr Renzo Franceschini, who passed away on 14 March 2014 at St Vincent's Hospital after a battle with cancer. He was 76 years old. Renzo was a well-known figure in...
  • National Day of Action against Bullying and Violence (1 speech)
    Firstly, I would like to support Senator Xenophon's earlier speech in regard to the forum for the Sleep Health Foundation held in Parliament House this week. It was a great event, as Senator...
  • Ludlam, Senator Scott (1 speech, 1 comment)
    I rise today to pay tribute to and to thank my colleague and friend Senator Scott Ludlam. I do this not simply because I want people to vote for Scott in the historic Senate by-election that will...
  • Freedom of Religion (1 speech)
    Aristotle is credited with asking the question: 'What is democratic behaviour? Is it that which preserves a democracy or that which people like doing?' I tend to believe that it is the former....
  • Education (1 speech)
    I rise tonight to speak about the urgent need for a school system where every child has the chance to succeed. Last week, I initiated a matter of public importance debate on the failure of the...
  • National Schools Constitutional Convention (1 speech)
    I rise this evening to reflect on the communique of the 19th National Schools Constitutional Convention provided to the President of the Senate and presented to the Senate last week. The National...
  • Anzac Day (1 speech)
    I rise tonight to reflect on Anzac Day, the 2nd/40th Battalion and what is being done to remember those who have sacrificed their lives for this country. Regardless of one's political beliefs...
  • Sri Lanka: Human Rights (1 speech)
    This week the eyes of the international community are turned to the issue of human rights in Sri Lanka and the continuing efforts to restore its democracy, rebuild its economy and reconcile the...
  • Western Australia Senate Election (1 speech)
    In just over two weeks, Western Australian voters will make history when they become the first electors to vote in a stand-alone half-Senate election. This election provides a unique opportunity...
  • Paddington Bowling Club (1 speech)
    The New South Wales disease of dodgy deals for mates is not just confined to Labor. The coalition, only three years after coming into government, have a spate of Liberal MPs caught up in...
  • Bankwest (1 speech)
    In 2012 the Senate Economics References Committee conducted an inquiry into the post-GFC banking sector in Australia. That inquiry heard a substantial amount of evidence from mum and dad...
  • Health Funding (1 speech)
    I rise to speak on a matter that I consider to be of national interest—it is certainly something that excites me whatever time of day it might be—and respond to Minister Peter...
  • Access to Justice (1 speech)
    I rise tonight to speak about what a barrister has described to me as the all but complete denial of access to the courts for ordinary people due to the severe and extreme cost of litigation....