Senate debates

Wednesday, 13 May 2020

  • Business (0 speeches)
    • Consideration of Legislation (1 speech)
      I move: That the provisions of paragraphs (5) to (8) of standing order 111 not apply to the following bills, allowing them to be considered during this period of sittings: Aged Care Legislation...
  • Bills (0 speeches)
  • Statements by Senators (0 speeches)
    • COVID-19: Racism (1 speech)
      On 15 April this year, two young women from the University of Melbourne were walking along Elizabeth Street in Melbourne, in my home state of Victoria, when they were assaulted because of their...
    • COVID-19: Science (1 speech)
      Can I begin by endorsing the remarks of Senator Van. The pandemic has sparked calls for a rapid and radical decoupling of Australia's trade and political engagement with China, and this is...
    • COVID-19: Arts and Entertainment Industry (1 speech)
      I rise today to speak about the impact that COVID-19 has had on hundreds of thousands of artists and entertainers right across Australia. We know that this has been a tough time for all...
    • COVID-19: Economy, Glass House Mountains (1 speech)
      If we are to learn anything from COVID-19, it's that the country needs to get a lot more serious about paying down the national debt and growing the economy. Yesterday the Treasurer outlined the...
    • COVID-19: Travel Industry (1 speech)
      I rise to speak today in relation to some issues around COVID-19. I know that many of us have been inundated with emails, requests, phone calls et cetera from many of our constituents. But today...
    • COVID-19, Tasmania: Renewable Energy (1 speech)
      I am getting the same messages Senator Urquhart is about the travel agents, especially the ones in Tasmania, and it is dreadful. The stories are horrific, so I too ask the government: please have...
    • Western Australia: Awards (1 speech)
      I rise this afternoon to recognise several special occasions, many of them impacted by the coronavirus pandemic, and to pay tribute to the organisations that have in difficult circumstances...
    • Taylor, Leading Senior Constable Lynette, King, Senior Constable Kevin, Humphris, Constable Glen, Prestney, Constable Josh (2 speeches)
      It is with deep sadness that I stand in the Australian Senate today to place on the record my condolences to the families, friends and colleagues of Leading Senior Constable Lynette Taylor,...
  • Questions without Notice (0 speeches)
    • Trade with China (11 speeches)
      My question is to the minister for trade, Senator Birmingham. In recent days, China has restricted red meat exports from four of Australia's largest abattoirs and signalled that Australian barley...
    • Covid-19 (8 speeches)
      My question is to the Minister representing the Minister for Health, Senator Cash. Can the minister update the Senate on the impact the coronavirus pandemic has had on Australians and their...
    • JobKeeper Payment (8 speeches)
      My question is to the Minister representing the Prime Minister, Senator Cormann. Darcy Moran, from Victoria, has been a hospitality worker for 15 years and has never been unemployed during that...
    • Royal Commission into Misconduct in the Banking, Superannuation and Financial Services Industry (8 speeches)
      My question is to the Minister for Finance, Senator Cormann. Last week, the Treasurer announced a six-month delay in legislation associated with the 76 recommendations from the Hayne banking...
    • COVID-19: International Development Assistance (8 speeches)
      My question is for the Minister for Foreign Affairs, Senator Payne. Can the minister update the Senate on the effects of the coronavirus pandemic on the Pacific and on how Australia is providing...
    • JobKeeper Payment (8 speeches)
      My question is to the Minister representing the Treasurer, Senator Cormann. Can the minister confirm that dnata employees performing identical work as Australians in other firms, and contributing...
    • COVID-19: Defence Industry (8 speeches)
      My question is to the Minister for Defence, Senator Reynolds. As Australia responds to the coronavirus pandemic, can the minister outline to the Senate what actions the Morrison government has...
    • COVID-19: Environment (10 speeches)
      My question is to the Minister representing the Prime Minister, Senator Cormann. The Morrison government has said it will fast-track Australia's environmental law changes before the independent...
    • National Bushfire Recovery Fund (22 speeches)
      My question is also to the Minister representing the Prime Minister, Senator Cormann. When the $2 billion National Bushfire Recovery Fund was announced in January, Prime Minister Scott Morrison...
    • Economy (8 speeches)
      My question is to the minister representing the Minister for Agriculture, Drought and Emergency Management, Senator Ruston. Can the minister outline how Australia's agricultural sector and other...
    • Community Sport Infrastructure Grant Program (15 speeches)
      My question is to the Minister representing the Prime Minister, Senator Cormann. The Australian National Audit Office has revealed that Prime Minister Morrison's office forced former Minister...
    • COVID-19: Services Australia (8 speeches)
      Speaking of important issues, my question is to the Minister representing the Minister for Government Services, Senator Ruston. Can the minister update the Senate on how the Morrison government...
    • COVID-19: Aged Care (9 speeches)
      My question is to the Minister for Aged Care and Senior Australians, Senator Colbeck. Labor acknowledges the awful situation that has confronted residents, families and staff at Newmarch House in...
  • Questions without Notice: Additional Answers (0 speeches)
    • Sheean, Ordinary Seaman Edward (Teddy) (1 speech)
      I have an answer to a question from Senator Lambie that I took on notice yesterday in question time, regarding the matter of Ordinary Seaman Edward 'Teddy' Sheean. As so poignantly outlined by...
  • Questions without Notice: Take Note of Answers (0 speeches)
  • Condolences (0 speeches)
    • Causley, Hon. Ian Raymond (1 speech)
      It is with deep regret that I inform the Senate of the death, on 27 April 2020, of Ian Raymond Causley, a member of the House of Representatives for the division of Page, New South Wales, from...
  • Petitions (0 speeches)
    • Regional Australia: Airports (3 speeches)
      I seek leave to make a short statement in relation to the petition on regional airport security.
  • Notices (0 speeches)
    • Postponement (1 speech)
      I remind senators that the question may be put on any proposal at the request of any senator. There being none, we will proceed.
  • Business (0 speeches)
    • Leave of Absence (1 speech)
      by leave—I move: That leave of absence be granted to Senator O'Neill today for personal reasons. Question agreed to.
  • Motions (0 speeches)
    • Gambling (4 speeches)
      Before moving general business notice of motion No. 531, I wish to inform the chamber that Senator Siewert will also sponsor the motion. I, and also on behalf of Senator Siewert, move: That the...
    • Private Health Insurance (4 speeches)
      I move: That the Senate— (a) acknowledges that:   (i) many private health insurance customers have not had access to elective surgery or extras during the COVID-19 pandemic,...
    • Payday Loans (4 speeches)
      I, and also on behalf of Senator McAllister, move: That the Senate— (a) notes that:   (i) small amount credit contracts (SACCs), known as payday loans, are high-cost loans of up...
    • COVID-19: Racism (1 speech)
      Before moving general business notice of motion No. 534, I wish to inform the chamber that Senators Keneally and Walsh will also sponsor the motion. I, and also on behalf of Senators Keneally and...
    • SBS Multilingual Coronavirus Portal (1 speech)
      Before moving general business notice of motion No. 535, I wish to inform the chamber that Senator Keneally will also sponsor the motion. I, and also on behalf of Senator Keneally, move: That the...
    • Jambo Africa Festival (1 speech)
      I move: That the Senate – (a) notes that: (i) the Organisation of African Community in Western Australia (OACWA) held their annual Jambo Africa Festival at Stirling Civic Gardens on...
    • Cook, Captain James (7 speeches)
      I move: That the Senate (a) acknowledges that April 2020 marks the 250th anniversary of Captain James Cook RN FRS and the HMS Endeavour's first voyage to Australia and the Pacific; (b) notes...
    • Chin National Day (1 speech)
      I move: That the Senate— (a) acknowledges that: (i) 20 February 2020 marks Chin National Day, (ii) this day of celebration is significant for the approximately 1.5 million Chins who reside...
    • Taylor, Leading Senior Constable Lynette, King, Senior Constable Kevin, Humphris, Constable Glen, Prestney, Constable Josh (5 speeches)
      I, and also on behalf of Senators Hume, Van, Henderson, Paterson, McKenzie, Ryan and Kitching, move: That the Senate— (a) acknowledges the tragic loss of four Victoria Police officers who...
  • Documents (0 speeches)
  • Motions (0 speeches)
    • PFAS Task Force (1 speech)
      I move: That the Senate— (a) notes that: (i) the Australian Government PFAS Taskforce is responsible for whole­-of-government coordination and oversight of Australian Government...
    • COVID-19: Newmarch House (4 speeches)
      At the request of Senators Keneally, McAllister, Ayres, O'Neill and Sheldon, I move: That the Senate— (a) notes the challenging circumstances confronted by residents, families and staff as...
    • Collins Class Submarines (6 speeches)
      At the request of Senators Wong, Farrell, Marielle Smith and Gallagher, I move: That the Senate— (a) notes that: (i) it was the Hawke Labor Government's decision to build the Collins class...
    • Violence Against Women (4 speeches)
      I seek leave to amend general business notice of motion No. 563 by, sadly, amending the number of women killed from 16 to 17, as mentioned in the first paragraph of the motion. Leave granted. I...
    • Living Costs for People with Disability (10 speeches)
      I, and also on behalf of Senator Steele-John, move: That the Senate— (a) notes that before coronavirus, National Centre for Social and Economic Modelling (NATSEM) modelling found that...
    • COVID-19: Emergency Housing Support (4 speeches)
      I move: That the Senate— (a) notes that:   (i) housing is a human right and everyone deserves a home,   (ii) the COVID-19 crisis has demonstrated how broken our housing...
    • Mundey, Mr Jack, AO (1 speech)
      Before moving general business notice of motion No. 544, I ask that the names of Senators McKim, Siewert, Whish-Wilson, Waters, Hanson-Young, Steele-John, Lines, Urquhart, Wong, Keneally, Pratt,...
    • COVID-19: Unemployment Benefits (4 speeches)
      At the request of Senator McCarthy, I move: That the Senate– (a) notes that:   (i) since the start of the coronavirus crisis, the number of people receiving unemployment benefits...
    • Myalgic Encephalomyelitis and Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (1 speech)
      At the request of Senator Steele-John, I move: That the Senate— (a) notes that:   (i) Tuesday 12 May 2020 was Myalgic Encephalomyelitis (ME) and Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS)...
    • JobSeeker Payment (6 speeches)
      I move: That the Senate— (a) notes that:   (i) before the temporary coronavirus supplement was introduced, job seekers in Australia were forced to survive on $40 a day, and...
    • Migration (10 speeches)
      I move: That the Senate— (a) notes that:   (i) more than half the nation's population growth since 2005 has come from overseas migration,   (ii) in recent years the...
    • Food Labelling (3 speeches)
      I seek leave to amend general business notice of motion No. 557 standing in my name relating to food labelling by removing clause (c)(ii). Leave granted. I move the motion, as amended: That the...
    • Free Trade Agreements (10 speeches)
      I, and also on behalf of Senator Steele-John, move: That the Senate— (a) notes with deep concern that:   (i) Free Trade Agreements (FTAs) have created a parallel industrial...
    • COVID-19: People with Disability (4 speeches)
      At the request of Senator Bilyk, I move: That the Senate— (a) notes that:   (i) the Coronavirus crisis has increased costs for many people with disability and carers, for...
    • Transport Infrastructure (5 speeches)
      I move: That the Senate— (a) notes:   (i) that Australians have resumed or taken up bike riding in large numbers for exercise, leisure, and physically-distanced transport during...
    • JobKeeper Payment (5 speeches)
      At the request of Senator Pratt, I move general business notice of motion No. 549: That the Senate— (a) notes that:   (i) the Australian Council of Trade Unions, and Labor,...
    • Citizenship (5 speeches)
      At the request of Senators Keneally, Ciccone and Walsh, I move: That the Senate— (a) notes that: (i) the Department of Home Affairs is currently overseeing a backlog of 85,000 people still...
    • National Security (11 speeches)
      At the request of Senators Gallacher, Wong, Farrell and Marielle Smith, I move: That the Senate— (a) notes that:   (i) the management of transport security is critical to our...
    • COVID-19: Racism (9 speeches)
      I advise that Senator Hughes has added her name to the motion. I, and also on behalf of Senators Dean Smith and Hughes, move: That the Senate notes that— (a) Australia is the most...
    • Marginalisation of Ethnically Diverse Communities (20 speeches)
      Before moving general business notice of motion No. 562, I inform the chamber that Senator Griff will also co-sponsor the motion. I, and also on behalf of Senators Faruqi and Griff, move: That...
    • Food Labelling (1 speech)
      I seek leave to amend general business notice of motion No. 557 to remove clause (c)(ii). Leave granted. I move the motion as amended: That the Senate— (a) notes that:   (i) the...
    • Defence Equipment (1 speech)
      I seek leave to table a statement in relation to notice of motion 560, about the Collins class submarines. Leave granted. I table the statement.
  • Matters of Public Importance (0 speeches)
    • Migration (12 speeches)
      I inform the Senate that, at 8.30 today, six proposals were received in accordance with standing order 75. The question of which proposal would be submitted to the Senate was determined by lot....
  • Notices (0 speeches)
    • Presentation (1 speech)
      by leave—I give notice that, on the next day of sitting, I shall move a motion.
    • Withdrawal (1 speech)
      At the request of Senator Rennick, I withdraw the notice of motion given earlier today relating to COVID-19.
  • Documents (0 speeches)
    • Petition: COVID-19: Temporary Visa Holders; Tabling (3 speeches)
      by leave—I table a document in the form of a nonconforming petition signed by 11,755 people, calling for 457 and 482 skilled visa holders who are stranded abroad as a result of COVID-19...
  • Committees (0 speeches)
  • Delegation Reports (0 speeches)
  • Ministerial Statements (0 speeches)
    • Covid-19 (3 speeches)
      On behalf of the Minister for Health, I table a ministerial statement on Australia's COVID-19 health response.
  • Notices (0 speeches)
    • Presentation (1 speech)
      I seek leave to lodge a late notice of motion in the name of Senator Gallagher for tomorrow's general business. Leave granted.
  • Committees (0 speeches)
  • Regulations and Determinations (0 speeches)
  • Adjournment (0 speeches)
    • COVID-19: Economy (1 speech)
      After two months of restrictions, which have presented the biggest challenges to our social structures and our economy since World War II, it's understandable that getting back to normal, to the...
    • COVID-19: Northern Territory (1 speech)
      I'd like to put on the Senate record that the Northern Territory government certainly took decisive action at the start of the COVID-19 pandemic. That has undoubtedly saved lives and will...
    • COVID-19: Overseas Students (1 speech)
      In the last few weeks, there have been disturbing videos shared on social media channels showing queues of international students lining the streets of Sydney. These students are not lining up to...
    • Covid-19 (1 speech)
      I would like to make a few remarks about the current situation in Australia. I've heard many of the contributions throughout the week, and I concur almost entirely with all of them. We are really...
    • Sheean, Ordinary Seaman Edward (Teddy) (1 speech)
      I thought I had seen everything, when it comes to the way this government treats our veterans, but today they have sunk to a whole new low. Teddy Sheean is an Australian hero. He deserves a...
    • Israel (1 speech)
      The first step on the road to establishing the nation of Israel truly began at a meeting of the post-World War I Allied Supreme Council in San Remo, Italy, from 19 to 26 April 1920. During the...
    • Regional Newspapers, The Nationals (1 speech)
      I want to make a few comments about regional newspapers and the National Party. Over the course of the COVID-19 crisis 152 regional newspapers stopped printing. That's a third of Australia's...