Senate debates

Wednesday, 17 August 2011

  • Bills (0 speeches)
  • Matters of Public Interest (0 speeches)
    • United States: Road Transport Industry (5 speeches)
      Thank you, Mr Acting Deputy President, and thank you, Senator Brandis. I appreciate your giving me the call; I have to be somewhere else. I want to take this opportunity to report to the Senate...
    • Member for Dobell (1 speech)
      Yesterday during question time in the House of Representatives, the Prime Minister was asked by the member for Mackellar whether she retained complete confidence in the member for Dobell, Mr...
    • Body Image (1 speech)
      I rise today to speak, as I have in the past, about my concerns surrounding child beauty pageants and early sexualisation of girls. Child beauty pageants are, unfortunately, only one aspect of a...
    • Member for Dobell (1 speech)
      I would like to follow up my comments on 15 June this year in this chamber and also follow up the comments of Senator Brandis in relation to the Craig Thomson matter. Honourable senators will...
    • Tarkine Wilderness (1 speech)
      I rise today to discuss the issue of the protection of the Tarkine in north-west Tasmania. The Tarkine is a magnificent natural area, which is home to many threatened and endangered species and...
  • Questions without Notice (0 speeches)
    • Member for Dobell (6 speeches)
      My question is to the Minister representing the Prime Minister and the Minister for Tertiary Education, Skills, Jobs and Workplace Relations, Senator Evans. I refer the minister to a statement...
    • Superannuation (9 speeches)
      My question is to the Minister representing the Minister for Financial Services and Superannuation, Senator Sherry. Can the minister inform the Senate how the Gillard government is ensuring...
    • Energy Efficiency (9 speeches)
      My question is to the minister representing the Minister for Climate Change and Energy Efficiency. I refer the minister to statements made in the government's Clean Energy Future campaign that...
    • James Price Point (8 speeches)
      My question is to the Minister representing the Minister for Sustainability, Environment, Water, Population and Communities, Senator Conroy. I ask about the recent sightings of one adult and...
    • Carbon Pricing (8 speeches)
      My question is to the Minister representing the Minister for Climate Change and Energy Efficiency, Senator Wong. Can the minister confirm whether the government has undertaken Treasury modelling...
    • Workplace Relations (12 speeches)
      My question is to the Minister for Tertiary Education, Skills, Jobs and Workplace Relations, Senator Evans. Can the minister please inform the Senate how the government has protected penalty...
    • Carbon Pricing (22 speeches)
      My question is to the Minister representing the Minister for Families, Housing, Community Services and Indigen­ous Affairs and Minister representing the Minister for Social Inclusion,...
    • Forestry (14 speeches)
      My question is to the Minister representing the Minister for Sustainability, Environment, Water, Population and Communities, Senator Conroy. Is the minister aware of whether the intergovernmental...
    • Aged Care (7 speeches)
      My question is directed to the Minister representing the Minister for Families, Housing, Community Services and Indigen­ous Affairs, Senator Arbib. Can the minister outline to the Senate the...
  • Answers to Questions on Notice (0 speeches)
    • Questions Nos 338 and 364 (10 speeches)
      Pursuant to standing order 74(5), I ask the Minister representing the Minister for Foreign Affairs, Minister Conroy, for an explanation as to why answers have not been provided to questions on...
  • Questions without Notice: Take Note of Answers (0 speeches)
    • Answers to Questions (16 speeches)
      I move: That the Senate take note of the answers given by ministers to questions without notice asked today. I noticed the question about the brothel business and Craig Thomson. He needs to get...
    • James Price Point (1 speech)
      I move: That the Senate take note of the answer given by the Minister representing the Minister for Sustainability, Environment, Water, Population and Communities (Senator Conroy) to a question...
  • Petitions (0 speeches)
    • Marriage (0 speeches)
      To the Honourable the President and Members of the Senate in Parliament assembled: Noting the following: - that marriage is currently defined in the Marriage Act (1961) as being `... the union of...
    • Farming (0 speeches)
      To the Honourable the President and Members of the Senate in Parliament assembled: The Petition of the undersigned shows: that there is significant concern about the risk to national food...
  • Notices (0 speeches)
    • Presentation (9 speeches)
      To move: That the following matters be referred to the Education, Employment and Workplace Relations References Committee for inquiry and report by 7 May 2013:...
    • Withdrawal (1 speech)
      At the request of Senator Cormann, I withdraw general business notice of motion No. 348.
  • Business (0 speeches)
    • Rearrangement (9 speeches)
      by leave—I move: That consideration of government business continue from 6.50 pm till 7.20 pm today.
  • Committees (0 speeches)
  • Motions (0 speeches)
    • Evans, Mr Cadel (1 speech)
      I, and also on behalf of Senators Bernardi and Arbib, move: That the Senate—   (a)   congratulates Mr Cadel Evans on winning the 2011 Tour de France bicycle race;...
  • Committees (0 speeches)
    • Migration Committee; Meeting (1 speech)
      At the request of Senator Singh, I move: That the Joint Standing Committee on Migration be authorised to hold a public meeting during the sitting of the Senate on Wednesday, 24 August 2011, from...
    • Gambling Reform Committee; Meeting (1 speech)
      At the request of Senator Crossin, I move: That the Joint Select Committee on Gambling Reform be authorised to hold a private meeting otherwise than in accordance with standing order 33(1) during...
    • Public Accounts and Audit Committee; Meeting (1 speech)
      At the request of Senator Bishop, I move: That the Joint Committee of Public Accounts and Audit be authorised to meet during the sitting of the Senate on Wednesday, 24 August 2011, from 11.15 am...
    • Corporations and Financial Services Committee; Meeting (1 speech)
      At the request of Senator Cormann, I move: That the Parliamentary Joint Committee on Corporations and Financial Services be authorised to hold a private meeting otherwise than in accordance with...
    • Treaties Committee; Meeting (132 speeches)
      At the request of Senator Coonan, I move: That the Joint Standing Committee on Treaties be authorised to hold a public meeting during the sitting of the Senate on Monday, 22 August 2011, from...
    • Community Affairs References Committee; Meeting (1 speech)
      I move: That the Community Affairs References Committee be authorised to hold a private meeting otherwise than in accordance with standing order 33(1) during the sitting of the Senate on...
    • Rural Affairs and Transport References Committee; Reporting Date (1 speech)
      I seek leave to amend general business notice of motion No. 342 standing in the name of Senator Heffernan by omitting '12 October' and substituting '21 September'. Leave granted. I move the...
  • Bills (0 speeches)
  • Documents (0 speeches)
  • Motions (0 speeches)
    • Burdekin Falls Dam (5 speeches)
      I move: That the Senate—    (a)     notes that:        (i)     water has been cascading over the Burdekin Falls Dam spillway...
    • Gunns Ltd (3 speeches)
      I move: That the Senate condemns any payment of monies to Gunns Ltd for exiting native forest logging flowing from the Tasmanian Forests Intergovernmental Agreement between the Commonwealth of...
  • Committees (0 speeches)
  • First Speech (0 speeches)
    • (4 speeches)
      It being after 5 pm, pursuant to order, I now call Senator Gallacher to make his first speech. I ask honourable senators that the usual courtesies be extended to him.
  • Committees (0 speeches)
    • Scrutiny of Bills Committee; Report (1 speech)
      On behalf of the Chair of the Senate Standing Committee on the Scrutiny of Bills, Senator Fifield, I present the eighth report of the committee. I also lay on the table Scrutiny of Bills Alert...
    • Senators' Interests Committee; Documents (1 speech)
      I present documents relating to the register of senators’ interests, incorporating statements of registrable interests of senators lodged by 5 August 2011 and notifications of alterations...
    • Treaties Committee; Report (2 speeches)
      On behalf of the Chair of the Joint Standing Committee on Treaties, Senator Coonan, I present the 118threport of the Joint Standing Committee on Treaties entitled Treaties tabled on 23 March and...
  • Ministerial Statements (0 speeches)
    • Economy, New Zealand Imports (5 speeches)
      by leave—I present two ministerial statements relating to the global economy and import conditions for apples from New Zealand.
  • Documents (0 speeches)
    • Petition Under Standing Order 207 (1 speech)
      For the information of senators, I present a petition from Mr Mulholland under standing order 207 disputing the election of Senator Madigan, together with advice from the Clerk of the Senate.
    • Responses to Senate Resolutions (1 speech)
      I table responses to resolutions of the Senate and correspondence from the Chairman of the Productivity Commission responding to the order for the production of document, listed at item 13(a) on...
    • Community Hospitals (3 speeches)
      I seek leave to move a motion in relation to the response by the acting Minister for Health and Ageing regarding community hospitals in South Australia that has just been tabled. Leave granted. I...
  • Ministerial Statements (0 speeches)
    • New Zealand Imports (1 speech)
      by leave—I wish to speak briefly to correct a statement I made in relation to my contribution on the decision of the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry in relation to the...
  • Documents (0 speeches)
    • Israel (1 speech)
      I seek leave to move a motion in relation to the response by the Minister for Foreign Affairs that has just been tabled. Leave granted. I move: That the Senate take note of the document. I wish...
    • Productivity Commission; Order for the Production of Documents (1 speech)
      I seek leave to move a motion for the Senate to take note of the letter from the Chairman of the Productivity Commission, relating to an order for the production of documents concerning...
  • Adjournment (0 speeches)
    • United Nations Convention Relating to the Status of Refugees (1 speech)
      This year, 2011, marks the 60th anniversary of the adoption of the United Nations Convention Relating to the Status of Refugees. The convention we know today was initially developed to deal with...
    • Member for Corangamite (3 speeches)
      We have gone from a doc to a dope because I would like to talk about the member for Corangamite. My colleague has just spoken about Doc Evatt. There is a false prophet in my patron seat of...
    • Ceduna: Bureau of Meteorology (1 speech)
      One of my most pleasurable duties as Parliamentary Secretary for Sustainability and Urban Water is announcing 'firsts', particularly when that first happens to occur in my home state of South...
  • Documents (0 speeches)
    • Order for the Production of Documents (0 speeches)
      A document was tabled pursuant to orders of the Senate of 16 November 2010 and 10 February 2011 for the production of a document relating to superannuation funds.
  • Questions on Notice (0 speeches)
    • Operation Talisman Sabre 2011 (Question No. 449) (2 speeches)
      asked the Minister representing the Minister for Sustainability, Environment, Water, Population and Communities, upon notice, on 16 March 2011: With reference to Operation Talisman Sabre 2011:...
    • Defence: Staffing (Question No. 467) (2 speeches)
      asked the Minister representing the Minister for Defence, upon notice, on 21 March 2011: With reference to the White Paper and the Strategic Reform Program 'Indicative Workforce Implications':...
    • Defence: Staffing (Question No. 468) (2 speeches)
      asked the Minister representing the Minister for Defence, upon notice, on 21 March 2011: With reference to the White Paper and the Strategic Reform Program 'Indicative Workforce Implications...
    • Defence: Staffing (Question No. 469) (2 speeches)
      asked the Minister representing the Minister for Defence, upon notice, on 21 March 2011: With reference to the White Paper and the Strategic Reform Program 'Indicative Workforce Implications...
    • Defence: Staffing (Question No. 471) (2 speeches)
      asked the Minister representing the Minister for Defence, upon notice, on 21 March 2011: With reference to the White Paper and the Strategic Reform Program 'Indicative Workforce Implications...
    • Defence: Staffing (Question No. 472) (2 speeches)
      asked the Minister representing the Minister for Defence, upon notice, on 21 March 2011: With reference to the White Paper and the Strategic Reform Program 'Indicative Workforce Implications...
    • Defence: Staffing (Question No. 473) (2 speeches)
      asked the Minister representing the Minister for Defence, upon notice, on 21 March 2011: With reference to the White Paper and the Strategic Reform Program (SRP) 'Indicative Workforce...
    • Defence: Staffing (Question No. 475) (2 speeches)
      asked the Minister representing the Minister for Defence, upon notice, on 21 March 2011: With reference to the White Paper and the Strategic Reform Program 'Indicative Workforce Implications...
    • Defence: Submarines (Question No. 476) (2 speeches)
      asked the Minister representing the Minister for Defence, upon notice, on 21 March 2011: For the period 1 July to 31 December 2010, which submarines in the Royal Australian Navy fleet were fully...
    • Defence: Submarines (Question No. 477) (2 speeches)
      asked the Minister representing the Minister for Defence, upon notice, on 21 March 2011: (1) For the period 1 July to 31 December 2010: (a) which submarines in the Royal Australian Navy fleet...
    • Defence: Submarines (Question No. 478) (2 speeches)
      asked the Minister representing the Minister for Defence, upon notice, on 21 March 2011: For the period 1 July to 31 December 2010: (a) how many fully qualified personnel are 'Dolphin Qualified'...
    • Defence: Submarines (Question No. 479) (2 speeches)
      asked the Minister representing the Minister for Defence, upon notice, on 21 March 2011: For the period 1 July to 31 December 2010, how many personnel fully completed training courses and became...
    • Defence: Submarines (Question No. 480) (2 speeches)
      asked the Minister representing the Minister for Defence, upon notice, on 21 March 2011: For the period 1 July to 31 December 2010, how many personnel completed training courses and became...
    • Defence: Submarines (Question No. 481) (2 speeches)
      asked the Minister representing the Minister for Defence, upon notice, on 21 March 2011: As at 31 December 2010, how many Royal Australian Navy personnel are 'Perisher Qualified' and eligible to...
    • Defence: Submarines (Question No. 482) (2 speeches)
      asked the Minister representing the Minister for Defence, upon notice, on 21 March 2011: For the period 1 July to 31 December 2010, which submarines were undergoing maintenance/refit programs and...
    • Operation Talisman Sabre 2011 (Question No. 563) (2 speeches)
      asked the Minister representing the Minister for Defence, upon notice, on 4 April 2011: (1) With reference to Exercise Talisman Sabre 2011, including the costs of the exercise and the Public...
    • Defence: Submarines (Question No. 635) (2 speeches)
      asked the Minister representing the Minister for Defence, upon notice, on 29 April 2011: (1) What involvement has the Defence Science and Technology Organisation (DSTO) had in developing the...
    • Defence: Submarines (Question No. 636) (2 speeches)
      asked the Minister representing the Minister for Defence, upon notice, on 29 April 2011: (1) How many staff from Defence Science and Technology Office have been, or are currently, assigned to...
    • Treasury (Question No. 683) (2 speeches)
      asked the Minister representing the Treasurer, upon notice, on 14 June 2011: In regard to the Extractives Industry Transparency Initiative and revenue transparency and in reference to the answers...
    • Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (Question No. 684) (2 speeches)
      asked the Minister representing the Treasurer, upon notice, on 14 June 2011: Given the imminent release of the updated Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development [OECD] Guidelines for...
    • Live Animal Exports (Question No. 688) (2 speeches)
      asked the Minister for Broadband, Communications and the Digital Economy, upon notice, on 15 June 2011: With reference to a recent Four Corners program on Australia's live cattle trade with...
    • Centrelink (Question No. 689) (2 speeches)
      asked the Minister representing the Minister for Human Services, upon notice, on 15 June 2011: Did Centrelink contract with Ms S Foster of Sutton for $10 000 of 'cosmetic services' between June...
    • Heritage Assessments (Question No. 690) (2 speeches)
      asked the Minister representing the Minister for Sustainability, Environment, Water, Population and Communities, upon notice, on 15 June 2011: (1) What contingency planning has been undertaken by...
    • Innovation, Industry, Science and Research (Question No. 700) (2 speeches)
      asked the Minister for Innovation, Industry, Science and Research, upon notice, on 22 June 2011: In regard to research and development (R&D) and its conversion to outcomes: (1) What is the...
    • Innovation, Industry, Science and Research (Question No. 701) (2 speeches)
      asked the Minister for Innovation, Industry, Science and Research, upon notice, on 22 June 2011: In regard to venture capital funding and start-ups: (1) How much public funding has been used to...
    • Innovation, Industry, Science and Research (Question No. 702) (2 speeches)
      asked the Minister for Innovation, Industry, Science and Research, upon notice, on 22 June 2011: (1) What is the level of collaboration between small business in Australia and the research sector...
    • Innovation, Industry, Science and Research (Question No. 703) (2 speeches)
      asked the Minister for Innovation, Industry, Science and Research, upon notice, on 22 June 2011: (1) How many companies have received proof of concept funding from Commercialisation Australia...
    • Taxation (Question No. 706) (2 speeches)
      asked the Minister representing the Treasurer, upon notice, on 22 June 2011: In the case of a company or individual which donates the use of a private plane to Nauru for members of a federal...
    • Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (Question No. 708) (2 speeches)
      asked the Minister representing the Treasurer, upon notice, on 23 June 2011: With reference to the answer to question on notice no. 156 (Senate Hansard, 8 February 2011, p. 137) relating to the...
    • Taxation (Question No. 724) (2 speeches)
      asked the Minister representing the Treasurer, upon notice, on 29 June 2011: With reference to the luxury car tax changes where exemptions were made for particular categories for vehicles...
    • Carbon Pricing (Question No. 727) (2 speeches)
      asked the Minister representing the Prime Minister, upon notice, on 4 July 2011: In a post on the Prime Minister's blog dated 30 May 2011, the Prime Minister (Ms Gillard) wrote, 'The best way to...
    • Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation (Question No. 728) (2 speeches)
      asked the Minister for Innovation, Industry, Science and Research, upon notice, on 4 July 2011: In regard to former Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation (ANSTO) employee, Mr...
    • Mining (Question No. 833) (2 speeches)
      asked the Minister representing the Minister for Sustainability, Environment, Water, Population and Communities, upon notice, on 6 July 2011: With reference to the answer to question on notice...
    • Tourism (Question No. 836) (2 speeches)
      asked the Minister representing the Prime Minister, upon notice, on 15 July 2011: With reference to the answer to question no. 40 taken on notice during the 2011-12 Budget estimates hearings of...
    • Sustainability, Environment, Water, Population and Communities (Question No. 837) (2 speeches)
      asked the Minister representing the Minister for Sustainability, Environment, Water, Population and Communities, upon notice, on 19 July 2011: With reference to the answer to question no. 164...
    • Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation (Question No. 841) (2 speeches)
      asked the Minister for Innovation, Industry, Science and Research, upon notice, on 21 July 2011: In regard to the attendance of Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation (ANSTO)...