Senate Summary for 25/03/2025

Acknowledgment and Opening Proceedings

• The Senate session on March 25, 2025, commenced with President Senator Sue Lines acknowledging the country and leading prayers (Page 0).

Document Tabling and Committee Discussions

• Various documents were tabled by The Clerk, with details recorded in the Journals of the Senate (Page 1).
• Upcoming meetings were addressed, including those of the Joint Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade (Page 1).

Motions and Allegations

• Senator Penny Wong moved to approve meeting hours and highlighted key topics including the Budget statement (Page 1).
• Senator Michaelia Cash attempted to address alleged ties of the CFMEU (Construction, Forestry, Mining and Energy Union) to organized crime, but her motion for suspension of standing orders was denied (Page 1).
• Cash described the CFMEU as corrupted and connected its actions to financial contributions to the Labor Party led by Prime Minister Albanese (Page 1).
• In response, Senator Murray Watt defended the government, suggesting that alleged wrongdoings occurred during the coalition government’s oversight (Page 2).

Economic and Labor Rights Discussions

• Senator Brigette McKenzie criticized the government for its support of the CFMEU and cited economic failures (Page 4).
• Senator Jenny McAllister defended the government’s record on employment rights, blaming oversights from previous administrations (Page 4).
• Senator Jacqui Lambie expressed frustration over lack of reforms in the construction industry (Page 4).

Questions Without Notice

• The focus shifted to issues surrounding the CFMEU and allegations of violence against women, with Cash questioning Wong (Page 19-20).
• Wong condemned violent actions linking them to organized crime, particularly in the AFL/CW context (Page 20).
• Discussions on inflation and its public impact were responded to by Wong and Minister Watt, who emphasized Labor’s achievements in health and economic policies (Page 21).

Environmental Legislation and Ongoing Debates

• Senators tackled environmental legislation and its implications (Page 10-12).
• Key discussions included energy policy, migration, and the welfare sector. Important interjections were made by Senators like David Pocock and Jacqui Lambie (Page 26-27).

Energy Issues

• Senator Pocock raised concerns regarding energy bill relief measures and questioned their effectiveness (Page 27).
• Senator McAllister defended government actions aimed at reducing energy costs through specific initiatives (Page 27).
• Senator Malcolm Roberts criticized the high number of foreign students impacting housing availability (Page 27).
• Housing discussions continued with Senator McKenzie criticizing government policies while Watt defended current initiatives (Page 28).

Youth and Living Costs Concerns

• Senator Lambie highlighted the impact of increasing living costs on young Australians and criticized both major parties for not addressing these issues (Page 29).

Commemorations and Legacies

• A commendation for the late Senator Rosemary Crowley documented her contributions to health care and social justice, with remarks from Senators Wong, Cash, and Walsh (Pages 44-49).
• Senator McKenzie reflected on Crowley’s legacy and her advocacy for impactful policies (Page 47).

Climate Change Urgency and Economic Criticisms

• Senator Shoebridge raised concerns regarding climate change and critiqued government spending priorities (Pages 55-57).
• Senators Rennick and McDonald discussed the negative consequences of rising energy prices stemming from government policies (Pages 56-58).

Additional Issues Addressed

• Senator Maria Kovacic criticized the increase in power prices, attributing them to government failures (Page 59).
• An urgency motion by Sen. Scarr was defeated (Page 59).
• Sen. Lidia Thorpe presented the fifth report on “Islamophobia in Australia” (Page 60).
• Budget estimates were discussed along with committee reports presented by Senator Anne Urquhart (Page 60-61).
• Concerns over the Tasmanian Freight Equalisation Scheme were also raised (Page 61).
• Discussions reflected on the impacts of COVID-19, particularly among youth (Page 75).
• New legislative proposals, including the AusCheck Amendment and the Transport Security Amendment Bill, were advanced (Page 68).

Conclusion of Proceedings

• The session was adjourned at 21:43 after extensive discussions on the diverse issues impacting Australian society, notably energy, housing, and community affairs (Page 83).