Senate debates
Tuesday, 1 September 2020
- Australian Capital Territory Government (1 speech)
I don't read enough fiction, so I'm always pleased when the member for Fenner puts his pen to paper, as I was recently when I read a piece that he wrote in none other than CityNews here in... - COVID-19: Aged Care Workers (1 speech)
Over the last fortnight, we have focused very much on this government's appalling record in relation to aged care, a record that extends the entire seven years that it has been in government. We... - Christchurch: Attacks (1 speech)
On 15 March last year the lives of Muslims across the world changed forever. Our worst fears were realised as an Australian man walked into two mosques and massacred dozens of Muslims at Friday... - COVID-19: State and Territory Border Closures (1 speech)
Protecting the health of the Australian community is our No. 1 priority as a government. There can be no doubt that COVID-19 is with us for the foreseeable future. When outbreaks occur, as they... - Volunteers (1 speech)
Anita has been a volunteer at Perth Festival since 2012. In her years as a volunteer she's helped stuff envelopes, cleared space for an aerial performance and done pretty much everything in... - Smith, Ms Ann Marie (1 speech)
The wilful neglect, suffering and tragic death of South Australian Ann Marie Smith shocked us all. Whilst her former carer has now been charged with manslaughter, so many questions remain... - Victoria: COVID-19 (1 speech)
I rise to raise again in the Senate my deep concerns about the extreme distress and damage which is being inflicted on Victorians during this second wave of emergency restrictions. Today, with 70... - Pensions and Benefits (1 speech)
I rise this evening to talk about the debacle that is the cashless debit card exemption process. Income management has been a racist, discriminatory tool that the government and the opposition... - Australian Made Logo (1 speech)
I rise tonight to speak in relation to the age-old maxim 'if it ain't broke, don't fix it' and why that is still relevant today. In 2017 the Turnbull government committed to developing a stronger... - Western Australia: Media (1 speech)
Yes, go the kangaroo! During the time that parliament was supposed to be sitting and we were on the break, I took the opportunity to travel to some of the regions in Western Australia that rarely... - Prior, Professor Margot, AO (1 speech)
I rise to pay tribute to Professor Margot Prior, who, sadly, passed away on 24 August. Professor Prior was a trailblazing teacher, researcher and clinician and is remembered for her warmth,... - Queensland Government (1 speech)
Labor governments have ruled Queensland for 25 of the last 30 years—that is, 25 years of failing Queensland. In the time that I have before me, I am going to go through the top 10 current... - Northern Territory: Agriculture Industry (1 speech)
I rise to speak about the crisis facing Northern Territory mango farmers as we face a critical crunch point in securing enough workers for the imminent mango season. The mango season begins in... - Chronic Pain Syndrome (1 speech)
Tonight I rise to speak about something that affects many of us, but these effects are often felt silently. Pain is not just physical; it can also affect our emotional and mental wellbeing,... - Manufacturing (1 speech)
Now more than ever, Australia needs a national plan for Australian manufacturing. COVID-19 has highlighted the importance of a strong manufacturing sector. The pandemic has, sadly, demonstrated... - Healy, Mrs June Marie, OAM (1 speech)
I rise today in memory of a strong advocate and a brilliant organiser for veterans and war widows, the aged and women in the Army, June Marie Healy OAM, who passed away in August this year. This... - COVID-19: Employment (1 speech)
This has been a difficult year full of sacrifice for Australians, and it is critical that we get the recovery right. So we need to see a jobs plan from this government—a plan for good,... - Paramedics (1 speech)
Honourable senators would know of the extremely high regard in which I hold paramedics. They witness trauma and tragedy every day of their working lives. In these times, when our nation is... - China (1 speech)
Following my prescient warnings in early 2018 regarding the Chinese communist regime's debt-trap diplomacy activities, especially in the Pacific, I was pleased that an international debate... - COVID-19: Tasmania (1 speech)
The north-west of Tasmania is my home. It is a beautiful place, a place of great potential, full of good people making a go of life in regional Australia. COVID-19 hit them hard, particularly the... - Tasmania: Environment (1 speech, 1 comment)
[by video link] Mark Twain once said, famously: A mine is a hole in the ground with a liar on top. Madam Acting Deputy President Walsh, I'm about to tell you a story, and you can decide whether... - Suncorp-Metway (1 speech)
In my 10 minutes this evening, I rise with some disappointment to speak about a policy decision taken by one of Queensland's biggest companies, Suncorp-Metway. On 21 August 2020, Suncorp-Metway... - Renewable Energy (1 speech)
[by video link] As a servant of the people of Queensland and Australia, I note that the Moran report cannot be sensibly refuted because it presents the government's own costs from budget programs... - COVID-19: State and Territory Border Closures (1 speech)
I rise to let the chamber know that the Isolated Children's Parents Association and the Australian Boarding Schools Association have commenced a social media campaign hashtag... - Tertiary Education (1 speech)
Tonight I'd like to give six reasons why the Liberals' uni cuts and fee hikes are absolute trash and should go straight in the bin. They're absolute trash and they will hurt unis and students,... - South Australia: Infrastructure (1 speech)
I rise tonight to speak about a vision for South Australia, a state that is currently being inhibited by a perfunctory administration. South Australia is a great place to work and live. South... - Western Australia: Community Events (1 speech)
Tonight I rise to report on my recent travels through the Kimberley, Pilbara and parts of the Mid West region in my home state. I'm pleased that Senator Smith is here this evening, because I know... - Lung Cancer, JobKeeper Payment (1 speech)
As many in this place are aware, I've been a long-time advocate for patients with cancers with low survival rates. It frustrates me that, while cancer survival generally continues to improve,... - Royal Military College, Duntroon (1 speech)
In the same week that the Skype scandal broke around the Australian Defence Force Academy, next door, at the Royal Military College, Duntroon, a cadet hanged himself. He had asked for help from...
