2016 Election inquiry heads to Townsville
30 January 2017 The Joint Standing Committee on Electoral Matters will hold a public hearing in Townsville tomorrow to take evidence about the 2016 Federal Election. Committee Chair Senator Linda Reynolds said the Committee was looking forward to the hearing as submissions from Townsville had raised important matters that occurred during the 2016 election. “Our…
Read MoreTake Note – 1 December 2016
Senator REYNOLDS (Western Australia) (15:13): I too rise to take note. I would like to join in the spirit of those opposite in this taking note and take the opportunity to thank many people. First of all, again my behalf, a very deep and profound thank you to the Clerk, Dr Rosemary Laing, for her…
Read MoreDisability Services – 30 November 2016
Senator REYNOLDS (Western Australia) (13:20): As we all prepare in this place to return home to spend Christmas with our family and friends, I ask all in this chamber and, in fact, all Australians to consider the plight of over 6,200 younger Australians who will spend this Christmas living in an aged-care facility and not…
Read MoreAttorney-General – 28 November 2016
Senator REYNOLDS (Western Australia) (15:08): What absolute hypocrisy and much ado about nothing from those opposite. I listened very carefully to the Attorney-General this morning and clearly, unlike those opposite, I have actually read the material that the Attorney-General has tabled. As a Western Australian who has had more than a passing interest in looking…
Read MoreBuilding and Construction Industry (Improving Productivity) Bill 2013, Building and Construction Industry (Consequential and Transitional Provisions) Bill 2013 – 28 November 2016
Senator REYNOLDS (Western Australia) (13:44): I too rise today to speak on the Building and Construction Industry (Improving Productivity) Bill 2013. When I worked in the Army I worked for General David Morrison, the Chief of Army. One of the things he said that got a lot of publicity has stuck with me: ‘The standard…
Read MoreRacial Discrimination Act 1975 – 23 November 2016
Senator REYNOLDS (Western Australia) (13:43): Today, I rise again in this place to speak on what I believe is an essential pillar of our democracy—that is, freedom of expression. Free speech underpins every successful modern democracy. In fact, there is no greater democratic value or individual freedom more prized or oft cited in the modern…
Read MoreParliamentary Joint Committee on Human Rights Report – 23 November 2016
Senator REYNOLDS (Western Australia) (16:50): I move: That the Senate take note of the report. In particular, I want to discuss the Migration Legislation Amendment (Regional Processing Cohort) Bill 2016 which the ninth report considered. Reports in the media last night and today that government members of the Parliamentary Joint Committee on Human Rights are…
Read MoreLegal Services Amendment (Solicitor-General Opinions) Direction 2016 – 22 November 2016
Senator REYNOLDS (Western Australia) (18:58): I too rise to speak about this disallowance motion on the Legal Services Amendment (Solicitor-General Opinions) Direction 2016. As I said previously in this place, I think the inquiry that was conducted into this matter and the majority report shames all of us in this chamber. Despite what those opposite…
Read MoreFair Work (Registered Organisations) Amendment Bill 2014 – 21 November 2016
Senator REYNOLDS (Western Australia) (12:12): I too rise today to discuss the Fair Work (Registered Organisations) Amendment Bill 2014. In Australia, I believe it is reasonable for all Australians to expect those who represent their interests and are responsible for managing their funds to all be held to the same standards of transparency and accountability.…
Read MoreAnswers to Questions – 10 November 2016
Senator REYNOLDS (Western Australia) (15:51): I too rise to take note of the answers provided by the Attorney-General to Senator Watt’s questions. That does take us to the heart of the inquiry report that was tabled this week into the Legal Services Amendment (Solicitor-General Opinions) Direction 2016. I do not say this lightly, but I…
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