Royal Commission on Trade Union Governance and Corruption
Once again, Senator Conroy is true to form; he is long on balderdash and short on basic facts. He was short on very basic facts, because the facts are that the information that was provided to Kathy Jackson, as revealed in The Australian, is exactly the kind of information that was provided to other witnesses that have appeared at the royal commission as well.
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Social Services Legislation Amendment (No. 2) Bill 2015
I would like to start my contribution on the Social Services Legislation Amendment (No. 2) Bill 2015 by humbling myself in some way before this chamber.
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Legitimate Environmental Concerns Should be Protected
In a more unenlightened time than the one we live in today people used to think there was a white man's burden. That was a phrase coined by Rudyard Kipling. There was a burden placed on countries that were rich and prosperous to tell poor, unenlightened, savage like people how to live their lives.
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National Science Week
Popper's theories led to a real revolution in science. Before Popper we thought about science in an inductive way.
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Migration Amendment (Maintaining the Good Order of Immigration Detention Facilities) Bill 2015 - Speech 2
It is a good opportunity now to continue my remarks, which I started last night, on the Migration Amendment (Maintaining the Good Order of Immigration Detention Facilities) Bill 2015. This bill is part of the government's broader agenda to strengthen our border security.
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Migration Amendment (Maintaining the Good Order of Immigration Detention Facilities) Bill 2015 - Speech 1
I want to start my contribution by picking up on some of the arguments Senator Lines put just then. Much of Senator Lines's contribution was focused on the fact that the particular training provided to Serco employees or employees more generally at these facilities is not sufficient for them to use reasonable force.
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Statement on Sugar Industry Motion
I would like to indicate that the government cannot support this motion because it is a premature motion.
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The Impact of Environmental Groups on Employment
Today, I would like to speak about jobs. I have been a senator for just over a year, and the most common issue that is raised with me is jobs. It is a tougher employment market, particularly where I live in Central Queensland in Rockhampton and surrounds. It has been difficult over the last few years, given the downturn in the mining sector.
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National Competition Policy
This week marks the 20th anniversary of the signing of the National Competition Policy agreements between the states, territories and the Commonwealth government, a landmark agreement for our nation.
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Australian Small Business and Family Enterprise Ombudsman Bill 2015
I welcome the Greens' support for this measure, although I will make one comment on Senator Whish-Wilson's contribution. I know numbers are not the Greens strong suit, and they might not have noticed, but before the election the coalition—the Liberal and National parties—did not have the numbers.
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