Questions Without Notice: The NDIS and The Middle East 28 Nov 2012
I agree with Senator Fifield on one thing, and that is that today is a good day, because we are going to have the disability awards this evening. I... 
Forced Adoptions, and Abolitionist Sunday 27 Nov 2012
Firstly today I acknowledge the apology made by the Queensland parliament to women who had their children stolen from them. Members of the Senate...
Low Aromatic Fuel Bill 2012 22 Nov 2012
The one thing that keeps this chamber together is the consideration of the welfare of our community, and I object to what Senator Scullion said.
Equal Opportunity for Women in the Workplace Amendment Bill 2012 20 Nov 2012
It is fairly confronting when you get to stand and speak to a piece of legislation that you have followed through from when the original legislation...
World Toilet Day 20 Nov 2012
Madam Acting Deputy President Pratt, as you know, 19 November is World Toilet Day. Every year I try to come into this place and make some comment...
In Memory of Clarice Brown 31 Oct 2012
Last week in Brisbane the family and many, many friends of Clarice Brown gathered to celebrate her life. Clarice was almost 90 when we lost her on 7...
Malala Yousafzai 30 Oct 2012
I begin by acknowledging the efforts that members of this parliament have made, both in the House and the Senate, to wear red today. As you know,...
Joint Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade- Tabling of the Report on Australia's Overseas Representation
On behalf of the Joint Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade, I present the report of the committee, Australia's overseas...
Question Without Notice- The Economy 30 Oct 2012
I am so pleased that Senator Brandis referred to the Bible in that statement because as I was listening to him pontificating about the process and...
Tabling of Palliative Care Report 10 Oct 2012
Every committee hearing that we attend we learn more about people who want to talk with us about their individual issues, and through this particular...
World Mental Health Day 10 Oct 2012
We have been reminded consistently today that it is World Mental Health Day and also that this month we are looking at the issues around mental...
Mental Health Awareness Week 9 Oct 2012
I would like to associate myself with the remarks just made by Senator Siewert. It is an extraordinary program and needs to be congratulated and...
Tenant Advice and Advocacy Service 18 Sep 2012
On 24 July this year, by email, all 24 services funded through the Tenant Advice and Advocacy Service network in Queensland received information that...
Marriage Equality 20 Sep 2012
I am supporting the legislation before us, the Marriage Amendment Bill (No.2) 2012. I am not married but I could be provided I chose someone who...
The Opposition and The Budget 13 Sep 2012
I am a bit worried looking across at the opposition because they were all wearing their R U OK? badges earlier in the day but now they seem to have...
Carol Perks and her work in Laos 11 Sep 2012
In 1996 a woman called Carol Perks, a nurse from Melbourne, was appointed a Member of the Order of Australia in recognition of her service to the...
Asylum Seekers 11 Sep 2012
Throughout the time that I have been in this place the issue of asylum seekers has continued to be important in debate in the process. We on this...
London Family Planning Summit
In July this year women and men gathered together at the London Summit on Family Planning. The summit was designed to support the UN...
Bloomhill Cancer Help 14 Aug 2012
Last week at Buderim, Minister Plibersek came and opened the extension of a new therapy centre at Bloomhill Cancer Help. Bloomhill is an...
The Australian Economy and the Gillard Government 14 Aug 2012
I think that Senator Ryan's last statement should be looked at very carefully. He said quite clearly that no matter how often you say things over and...
Boer War Nurses 26 Jun 2012
On 7 August 1900, a 36-year-old woman from country Victoria died of pneumonia in an army hospital in Bulawayo, Zimbabwe. Also known as Fanny, Sister...
Arrest of Ridha Khalid in Palestine 22 Jun 2012
Two weeks ago in my office I was visited by Khalil Hamdan, an Australian citizen and a good friend of our community over many years. He is originally...
Dental Services 21 Jun 2012
It is quite distressing to hear the comments made by Senator Bushby this morning in speaking to his private member's bill, the Health Insurance...
Judith Adams Condolences 8 May 2012
The Biographical Dictionary of the Australian Senate will note Judith Adams's service. It will talk about when she came to join us, it will talk...
Centenary of the Brisbane General Strike 7 Feb 2012
Last week in Brisbane, on 2 February, unionists gathered in King George Square, which was known 100 years ago as Market Square, to acknowledge the...
Carbon Pricing 7 Feb 2012
We have seen excitement in the chamber today, which is great on the first day. In Senator Polley's question earlier, there was so much excitement on...
Tabling of Forced Adoptions Report 29 Feb 2012
Five years ago in my office in Brisbane, three women came to see me. They brought some pictures and a couple of books that they had written, and they...
World Population - Adjournment Speech 28 Feb 2012
Before I begin I would like to acknowledge the speech made earlier this evening by Senator Fisher and to acknowledge that five years ago today, in...
Lymphoedema Awareness Month. 14 Mar 2012
This month of March is Lymphoedema Awareness Month. It aims to raise awareness of the early signs and symptoms of lymphoedema amongst high-risk...
Stonger Futures Legislation 21 Mar 2012
It is a very difficult process to talk about this range of bills in this place because we know that there is so much pain and concern out there in...
Solar Hot Water Rebate Bill 2012 22 Mar 2012
It is wonderful to see people talking about the issues around solar energy in any debate, and I am really keen to discuss moving forward with this...
