Question No. 333

Senator Ludlam asked the Minister representing the Minister for Foreign Affairs, upon notice, on 6 December 2010:

With reference to the visit to Australia by His Holiness the Dalai Lama which is scheduled for some time around the middle of 2011:
(1) Will the Minister meet with His Holiness the Dalai Lama when he is in Australia.
(2) Will the Prime Minister meet with His Holiness the Dalai Lama when he is in Australia.

Senator LUDLAM (Western Australia) (6.15 pm)-

Senate Question No.318

Senator Ludlam asked the Minister representing the Minister for Sustainability, Environment, Water, Population and Communities, in writing, on 6 December 2010:

Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet
Supplementary Budget Estimates 18-21 October 2010

Dr McCarthy-The National Security Legislation Monitor will need to be someone with a strong background in national security issues, a person of high
standing. It is a part-time role, as you know, Senator. That is the reason why we were not required to advertise in the same way as for Public Service positions
more generally. The view was that a good field of candidates would be able to be developed for consideration.

The Australian Greens will take action in the Senate to make the National Broadband Network Company subject to the Freedom of Information Act.

Greens spokesperson for communications Senator Scott Ludlam said that it was unacceptable that a public enterprise investing approximately $27.5 billion of tax-payer's money would be exempt from the Freedom of Information (FOI) legislation.

The tragic loss of life in the Queensland floods, as well as the shocking images of besieged cities, evacuated suburbs, homes and cars swept away and farms ruined, leaves us luckier Australians asking how we can help.

Please join with us in giving to the Premier’s Disaster Relief Appeal.

From http://www.qld.gov.au/floods/donate.html

SENATE STANDING COMMITTEE ON ECONOMICS QUESTION - (Supplementary Budget Estimates 20 October - 21 October)

Senator Ludlam asked:

SENATE STANDING COMMITTEE ON ECONOMICS QUESTION - (Supplementary Budget Estimates 20 October - 21 October)
Senator Ludlam asked:

Senator LUDLAM-There have been some calls, since the last time we spoke, about strengthening the
institutional arrangements and independence of the Australian NCP. Is their a view within government-either
within the department or with the minister-that this would be appropriate? I guess what I am asking is: are we happy with the situation as it is?

The Australian Greens have called on Prime Minister Gillard to unequivocally retract her claim that the work of WikiLeaks is "illegal".

Greens communications and legal affairs spokesperson Senator Scott Ludlam said the Prime Minister had attempted to back-pedal on her original claim but a straight-forward retraction was in order.

Senator Ludlam expresses frustration at the Opposition filibustering instead of debating the amendments in the Tesltra separation legislation on what was supposed to be the last day of Parliament.