22 March 2023 Senator BIRMINGHAM (South Australia—Leader of the Opposition in the Senate) (10:35): As colleagues have noted, Australians do not change the Constitution of Australia lightly. Only eight of 44 referenda conducted in Australia have been successful, and the last successful referendum was conducted in 1977. Many members of this parliament and many voters were not…
Details20 March 2023 Senator BIRMINGHAM (South Australia—Leader of the Opposition in the Senate) (10:12): I begin by acknowledging all Australian servicemen and servicewomen who served in Iraq and who continue to serve in Iraq—those who have paid a price and for their service and particularly the families of those who have paid that price. We…
Details20 March 2023 Senator BIRMINGHAM (South Australia—Leader of the Opposition in the Senate) (16:33): I move: That, in the opinion of the Senate, the following is a matter of urgency: The need for the Senate to recognise that AUKUS expresses Australia’s ambition for enduring peace and prosperity in our region, and to reject criticism from former…
Details8 February 2023 Senator BIRMINGHAM (South Australia—Leader of the Opposition in the Senate) (19:34): Towards the end of last year I welcomed the opportunity to join the Minister for Foreign Affairs, Senator Wong; the Minister for International Development and the Pacific, Mr Conroy; and the shadow minister for international development and the Pacific, Mr McCormack, on…
Details8 March 2023 Senator BIRMINGHAM (South Australia—Leader of the Opposition in the Senate) (10:10): Closing the gap is a powerful concept because it bridges from the symbolic to the practical. The concept of closing the gap is to establish and pursue measurable, verifiable targets to achieve genuine equality in outcomes, in outcomes that are real to…
Details7 March 2023 Senator BIRMINGHAM (South Australia—Leader of the Opposition in the Senate) (15:42): Ira Lyubarskaya is a young woman, a young university student with dreams and hopes. But Ira is from Mariupol. Ira is one of so many human faces with human stories that have been told as part of the bloody war that…
DetailsMonday 6 February, 2023 Condolence Motion – Australian Senate Simon Birmingham: I move that the Senate records its deep sorrow at the death on 16th January 2023 of, Senator Andrew James (Jim) Molan AO DSC, Senator for New South Wales and retired Major General. And places on record its appreciation and gratitude for his service to…
DetailsAddress to the National Congress, Palikir, Federation States of Micronesia 14 December 2022 Simon Birmingham: Thank you so very much for the opportunity to be here at the People’s House. Mr. Speaker, a parliamentary guy, as you said in your remarks. I thank you, the Deputy Speaker, Chairman, for your welcome to this esteemed place…
DetailsSpeech at the official reception to mark the 50th anniversary of Australia-China diplomatic relations Art Gallery of NSW, Sydney, Sunday 13 November 2022 Her Excellency, Governor of South Australia Frances Adamson His Execllency, Ambassador Xiao Qian Minister for Foreign Affairs, Senator Penny Wong, who I thank for the generous invitation to speak on this…
DetailsAustralian Institute of International Affairs National Conference Monday 24 October 2022 Canberra, ACT Thank you for the opportunity to be here at the Australian Institute of International Affairs and to address this conference, it really is a pleasure to be here. I begin by recognising the depth of foreign policy expertise assembled here today and…
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