Senate Summary for 12/02/2025

Session Overview

• The session on February 12, 2025, was presided over by Senator Sue Lines, the President of the Senate, who acknowledged the country (Page 0).

Key Legislative Proposals and Discussions

• Committee Meetings: There was a proposal for private meetings of the Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade Legislation and References Committees to occur during this session (Page 1).
• Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Amendment Bill 2024:
• Introduced by: Senator Richard Colbeck (Page 1).
• Critique of Government Actions: Colbeck criticized the government’s handling of salmon farming decisions in Tasmania, claiming it favored environmental groups over advice from the Tasmanian government, which led to uncertainty in the industry. He highlighted the need for investment certainty, citing support from the Forest Products Association and the Minerals Council of Australia (Page 1-3).
• Counterarguments:
  • Senator Karen Grogan (Labor) countered Colbeck’s claims, arguing that he exaggerated risks like home loss and undermined essential environmental protections. Grogan stated that existing legislation already accommodates reconsideration when new information is presented (Page 3).
  • Senator Sarah Hanson-Young (Greens) strongly opposed the bill, labeling it a coalition tactic to weaken environmental protections crucial for biodiversity (Page 5-6).
  • Senator Jonathon Duniam defended the bill, focusing on the importance of providing certainty for the salmon industry (Page 6).
  • Independent Senator Tammy Tyrrell expressed concern over the potential devastation to regional Tasmanian communities if the salmon industry failed, advocating for supportive measures balanced with environmental protections (Page 7).
• Vote Outcome: Senator Michaelia Cash moved to forward the discussion on the bill, which resulted in a vote of 30 AYES to 31 NOES, leading to the bill’s defeat (Page 9).

Additional Legislative Discussions

• Agriculture (Biosecurity Protection) Levies Bill:
• Discussion centered on the economic implications of a proposed tax on farmers. Senators voiced differing opinions on the necessity for a review of this tax and the broader economic challenges faced by the farming community (Pages 10-14).
• Veterans’ Entitlements, Treatment and Support Bill 2024:
• The bill aimed at simplifying and harmonizing veteran support systems was reviewed. Senators expressed concerns regarding the government’s urgent establishment of a new veterans commissioner without proper consultations with the veteran community. The discussions also reflected on previous royal commission recommendations addressing veteran wellbeing, especially suicide prevention (Pages 21-28).
• Enhancements to existing veterans’ support frameworks were emphasized to ensure that no veteran would be worse off post-reform (Pages 28-30).
• Indigenous Domestic Violence Issues:
• Senator Jacinta Nampijinpa Price raised significant concerns about domestic violence within Indigenous communities, criticizing government inaction on pressing safety and wellbeing issues (Pages 30-31).

Criticism of Political Parties

• There was a growing criticism of both major political parties regarding their joint failures to adequately protect environmental and community interests, particularly concerning Indigenous rights and climate action (Pages 31).