Senate debates
Tuesday, 18 August 2015
- WorldSkills Competition (1 speech)
This evening I rise to speak regarding a major international event recently concluded where 26 young Australians represented their country—our country—proudly. I refer to WorldSkills... - Aminya Aged-Care Facility (1 speech)
I rise this evening to speak of the imminent closure of the Aminya aged-care home in Scottsdale, north-east Tasmania. With the closure of this facility and the loss of jobs, we will see $1... - China-Australia Free Trade Agreement (1 speech)
'Free trade agreement'—few words evoke such disinterest amongst everyday Australians as these. In the next five minutes or so, I would like to address aspects of the China-Australia Free... - Petition: Marriage (1 speech)
Last Thursday, 13 August, representatives from 46 different Aboriginal groups and clans visited Parliament House to present a petition to members and senators. It was an honour to receive the... - University of Tasmania (1 speech)
I rise to speak about an important milestone in the life of the University of Tasmania, the only university in my home state. The university is this year celebrating its 125th anniversary, and... - Genetically Modified Crops (1 speech)
Many people will have heard of the Luddites, 19th century workers in the wool and cotton mills of West Yorkshire and Lancashire who were so fearful of industrialisation that they wrecked... - Netball World Cup 2015 (2 speeches)
Senator McKenzie, before you start, I have to remind you that The President did request the other day that senators were not to wear sporting attire. - National Competition Policy (1 speech)
This week marks the 20th anniversary of the signing of the National Competition Policy agreements between the states, territories and the Commonwealth government, a landmark agreement for our... - National Broadband Network (1 speech, 1 comment)
'Fast. Affordable. Sooner.' That was the catchcry of Mr Abbott and Mr Turnbull prior to the last federal election, when they made all sorts of pie-in-the-sky promises on the National Broadband... - Indigenous Affairs (1 speech)
Tonight I rise to speak on the appalling increase in the rate of incarceration of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and the continuing deaths in custody in this country. Late last... - China-Australia Free Trade Agreement (1 speech)
Following the successful conclusion of free trade agreements with Korea and Japan by Minister Robb, his advisers and the department, I rise proudly this evening to refer to the third leg of the... - Industrial Relations (1 speech)
I rise to speak about the government's disgraceful industrial relations policies and to make a comment that I am proud to be a senator for Queensland and I am proud to be a Labor senator. I am... - Sharks (1 speech)
Nothing attracts headlines and our attention like news of shark attacks. We can blame the movie Jaws for this macabre attraction. These headlines help sell papers but they do not help us... - Australian Broadcasting Corporation (1 speech)
Few organisations generate debate and polarise the national conversation as much as the ABC, the Australian Broadcasting Corporation. Sadly this conversation has increasingly become about the ABC... - Vietnam Veterans Day, Shipbuilding Industry, Illicit Drugs (1 speech)
Today is the 49th Vietnam Veterans Day, and next year will mark the 50th anniversary. I take this opportunity to remember and honour the 521 Australians who died fighting in that war. Because of... - Climate Change (1 speech)
I rise tonight to highlight the importance of the COP21—the conference of the parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, to be held in Paris later this... - Environmental Policies (1 speech)
The Abbott government announced this afternoon that it will limit the ability of communities and environmentalists to challenge decisions under the Environmental Protection and Biodiversity... - Youth with a Mission: Medical Ships Australia (1 speech)
This evening I want to talk about a wonderful group of people who offer services to communities across the world. Youth with a Mission, which people call YWAM—which I have some trouble... - Pilon, Banjo, Dean, Mr Michael, Central Coast Arts Community, Prostate Cancer (1 speech)
I rise tonight to speak to a number of matters but firstly to pay particular tribute to two Central Coast people who we have lost in recent weeks. I note formally the passing of two wonderful... - Gun Control, Baha'i People of Iran (1 speech)
'Stay down. I love you.' These are the last words Carol Loughton said to her daughter as she pushed her towards the ground more than 19 years ago. Lying beneath her mother, Sarah Loughton died of... - Doutney, Ms Irene, International Development Assistance (1 speech)
Irene Doutney, a Greens councillor on Sydney city council, has made a major contribution to progressive policies of that city, that council and the rich activist life of inner Sydney. At the...
