Greens reject chance to chair environment senate committee

Senator NASH (New South Wales—Deputy Leader of The Nationals in the Senate) (11:46):   Colleagues, for the last little while I have been coming into this place day after day and thinking that it cannot really get any more pear shaped under the Labor-Greens-Independents government. But toda... ...more

Labor's carbon tax legislation

Senator NASH (New South Wales—Deputy Leader of The Nationals in the Senate) (13:02):  These are very dark days, indeed. Before those on the other side say I am scaremongering, I do not think of myself as somebody who scaremongers or exacerbates situations. I look at myself as a mother, a wife, ... ...more

Second Reading Speech: Carbon Tax Plebiscite Bill 2011

Well, isn't this interesting—Senator Cameron on the other side of this chamber telling us we have no economic credibility! I am sorry. Isn't this the government that just a couple of weeks ago increased its borrowings from $200 billion to $250 billion? Mind you, colleagues, they did not give us a ch... ...more

Second Reading Speech: Family Assistance and Other Legislation Amendment (Child Care and Other Measures) Bill 2011

I rise today to make some remarks on the Family Assistance and Other Legislation Amendment (Child Care and Other Measures) Bill 2011. There is no doubt that child care is one of the most important issues for families right across the country, particularly in regional areas such as the one where I li... ...more

Second Reading: Taxation of Alternative Fuels Legislation Amendment Bill 2011, Excise Tariff Amendment (Taxation of Alternative Fuels) Bill 2011

Mr President, the government has introduced four bills to the senate regarding changes to the taxation arrangements of LPG, LNG and CNG. They also clarify how biofuels — ethanol, biodiesel and methanol are treated regarding the tax arrangements. While I don't support the changes to apply a tax to L... ...more

Second Reading: Higher Education Support Amendment (No. 1) Bill 2011

I rise to make some remarks regarding the Higher Education Support Amendment (No. 1) Bill 2011. As people would be aware, FEE-HELP is available to eligible full fee paying higher education students and VET FEE-HELP is available to eligible full fee paying and certain state government subsidised VET ... ...more

Adjournment Speech: Mr Charlie Francis

I rise tonight to speak about a remarkable Australian, Charlie Francis from Forbes. Sadly, Charlie died last month and he is going to be terribly missed by his wonderful sister, Danie, her husband, Bob, and all of his family. Charlie farmed at Forbes and made a huge contribution to regional Australi... ...more

Senate Valedictory Speech

I want to echo the remarks that have been made this evening about the three departing colleagues, whom we are going to miss. I also echo Senator Macdonald in saying that the brevity of my remarks in no way reflects on the expansive comments I would like to make, but I am very conscious that there ar... ...more

Senate Speech - Matter of Public Interest: The Budget

I rise today to make some comments in response to the delivery of the budget by the Treasurer last night, but before I do I would like to acknowledge in the chamber today my very good friend and Senator-elect Bridget McKenzie from Victoria. The budget delivery last night by the Treasurer indicated t... ...more

Questions without Notice: Take Note of Answers - Carbon Price

What a load of rubbish we are hearing from this government when it comes to the impact of a carbon tax on the people of Australia. They seem to be living in what I can only call a fairyland of unreality when it comes to the impact that this is going to have on people. What have we seen today? We hav... ...more