Senate debates
Wednesday, 3 September 2025
- Australian Society (1 speech)
I know that the last few days caused a great deal of hurt and harm in the Australian community. The public displays of hate, the violence, the Neo-Nazis, the trumpeting of division—this is... - Women's Health Week (1 speech)
I rise today during Women's Health Week to reflect on the progress we are making and the challenges that remain when it comes to women's health, safety and wellbeing in this country. This week is... - National Flag (17 speeches)
Today is National Flag Day. On 29 April 1901 Australia's first prime minister, Edmund Barton, announced a competition to design our federal flag. Despite there being only 32 days to submit... - Forestry Industry, Biodiversity (1 speech)
Tasmania's forests are some of the most carbon-dense in the world. They are also, of course, beautiful, worthy of protection for their intrinsic values and worthy of protection just for their own... - Artificial Intelligence (1 speech)
Only a few technological advancements have revolutionised the world as we know it: the telephone in the 19th century, the computer in the mid-20th century, the internet and later the smartphone... - Early Childhood Education (1 speech)
Today I'd like to give a shout-out. We all know the vital role of early childhood educators across Australia. I want to explain why the sector deserves significantly more investment and support.... - Workplace Relations: Qantas (1 speech)
I wish to share a couple of figures with the Senate before I go to the crux of my conversation. I want to remind senators and anyone listening that, on 8 October 2024, Qantas was ordered by the... - Aboriginal Deaths in Custody (1 speech)
Every time I walk into this building there are more Aboriginal deaths in custody. This year there have been 23 that we know of. In the last month alone there were 10. Since the Royal Commission... - Women's Health (1 speech)
Under this Labor government, women's health is finally being taken seriously. That's what happens when you have a majority-women caucus and when you have a government that listens to women. When... - Education (2 speeches)
I'm going to provide a window into the feelings of one of our teachers: Dear Senator Hanson, I'm writing as a passionate, frontline educator who's fed up. The 2025 changes to the Western... - March for Australia (1 speech)
The March for Australia was an overwhelmingly peaceful event held across Australian capital cities last weekend, and 99.9 per cent of attendees were there for the right reasons, expressing their... - Youth: Genomic Testing (1 speech)
I have a genetic heart condition called familial hypercholesterolaemia, which affects one in 200 Australians and causes early heart attacks, even in very young people. Recently, a DNA screening... - National Student Referendum on Palestine (1 speech)
Uni students have been showing up for Palestine from the very beginning. They have always been at the forefront of movements for social justice or for climate justice. While their universities... - National Flag (1 speech)
Today is National Flag Day, and I want to say a few words about why I think our flag is so beautiful. It is National Flag Day today because on this day in 1901 the first Australian prime... - Men's Health (1 speech)
Men's health is a vital topic, often overlooked in the rush of daily life. This Father's Day, let's make a priority to reach out to our fathers, our brothers, our grandfathers and our uncles and... - Housing (1 speech)
Homelessness in my birthplace, India, is a national scandal. Close to two million people are living on the streets—children, women and the elderly—vulnerable to violence and disease.... - Launceston Benevolent Society (1 speech)
Working families and, indeed, all Australians continue to be failed by this Albanese Labor government. Recently I had the opportunity to visit the Launceston Benevolent Society in my home state... - RSL Veterans Ball 2025 (1 speech)
The RSL Veterans Ball 2025 in Victoria was a very memorable night and I was very honoured to be there. I was also honoured to see the strength of service and the spirit of Victoria's veteran... - Climate Change: Fossil Fuel Industries (1 speech)
In the last term of government, Labor approved more than 30 new coal and gas projects in Australia. Today we find out that Minister Watt has just approved a 20-year extension to Glencore's Ulan... - National Flag Day, Australia: Atheism and Christianity (1 speech)
Obviously today is National Flag Day. How good is that? St George's cross, St Andrew's cross, St Patrick's cross and of course the almighty Southern Cross—four crosses. But that's not what... - Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (1 speech)
When I talk to Tasmanians about the cost of living, I hear directly that managing the cost of medicines has been a real issue for them. Whether it's treating their child's illness or managing... - Robbins Island and Jim's Plain Wind (1 speech)
There are some in Tasmania popping the champagne corks over Minister Watt's approval of the Robbins Island wind farm proposal. I am not one of them. Firstly, it is in the wrong place, and,... - Camp Sovereignty (1 speech)
Camp Sovereignty is a peaceful, sacred, spiritual place that brings people together for healing. It is our place of worship. We've seen the attacks by the racist Neo-Nazi groups—the hate... - Papua New Guinea: 50th Anniversary of Independence (1 speech)
I rise to warmly congratulate Papua New Guinea this month on celebrating its 50th anniversary of independence. Papua New Guinea achieved full independence on 16 September 1975. The celebrations... - Gender and Sexual Orientation (1 speech)
This week the South Australian parliament will recognise the 50th anniversary of my home state becoming the first place in Australia to decriminalise male homosexuality. The push for...
