Every sitting day, time is set aside for what is known as 'Discovery of Formal Business'. This is an opportunity for business to be 'fast-tracked' - that is, moved and determined without debate.

Senate Discovery is a video series designed to 'fast-track' information about Senate business and the work of its committees.

Current episodes | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 | 2014 |

Senate Discovery: 21 November to 1 December

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• Fair Work (Registered Organisations) Amendment Bill 2014
• Building and Construction Industry (Improving Productivity) Bill 2013 and a related bill
• Income Tax Rates Amendment (Working Holiday Maker Reform) Bill 2016 (No. 2)
• Community Affairs References Committee report – Medical complaints process in Australia
  • Tabling speeches
• Current inquiries
• Recent reports
• Valedictories for the Clerk of the Senate

Senate Discovery: 7 to 10 November 2016 

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• Senator Kitching – First speech
• Qualification of senators – referrals to the High Court
  • debate
  • documents
• Plebiscite (Same-Sex Marriage) Bill 2016 - debate
• Report of the Legal and Constitutional Affairs and References Committee - debate
• Current Senate committee inquiries
• Recent reports
• 2017 sitting calendar

Senate Discovery: 10 to 13 October 2016 

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• Recent reports
• Current inquiries
• Fair Work Amendment (Respect for Emergency Services Volunteers) Bill 2016
• National Cancer Screening Register Bill 2016 and a related bill
• Address by the Prime Minister of the Republic of Singapore
• First speeches
• Senate estimates

Senate Discovery: 12 to 15 September 2016

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• Customs Tariff Amendment (Tobacco) Bill 2016
• Excise Tariff Amendment (Tobacco) Bill 2016
• Budget Savings (Omnibus) Bill 2016
• Marriage Equality Amendment Bill 2013
• First speeches
• Senator Conroy’s speech
• Current committee inquiries

Senate Discovery: 30 August to 1 September 2016

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• Replay of the opening of the 45^th Parliament
• President of the Senate
• Deputy President and other Senate office holders
• Replay of the Governor-General’s opening speech
• Motion establishing the rotation of senators
• Certificates of election of senators
• Senator Jane Hume – replay of first speech
• Senator Patrick Dodson – replay of first speech
• Senator Jonathon Duniam – replay of first speech
• Current committee inquiries

Senate Discovery: 2 to 6 May 2016

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• Swearing-in of Senator Pat Dodson
• Valedictory speeches – Senator Heffernan, Senator Ludwig, Senator McLucas
• Recent committee reports
• Supply Bill (No. 1) 2017-2017; Supply Bill (No. 2) 2016-2017; Supply (Parliamentary Departments) Bill (No. 1) 2016-2017
• Budget documents
• Senate estimates
• Double dissolution

Senate Discovery: 18 April to 19 April 2016

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• Documents relating to the prorogation of the Parliament
• Definition of prorogation
• Opening of the 2^nd session of the 44^th Parliament
• Governor-General’s opening speech
• Building and Construction Industry (Improving Productivity) Bill 2013 [No. 2] and a related bill
• Road Safety Remuneration Repeal Bill 2016
• Current Senate committee inquiries
• Senate estimates
• Simultaneous dissolutions of the Houses

Senate Discovery: 15 March to 18 March 2016

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• Senator Ronaldson
• Senator Paterson – first speech
• Commonwealth Electoral Reform Amendment Bill
  • Report of the Joint Committee on Electoral Matters
• Social Security Amendment (Diabetes Support) Bill 2016
• Marriage Equality Amendment Bill 2013
• Recent committee reports
• Documents relating to the prorogation of the Parliament
• Definition of prorogation

Senate Discovery: 22 February to 3 March 2016

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• Closing the gap
  • Prime Minister’s report
  • Senate speeches - transcript and replay
• Narcotic Drugs Amendment Bill 2016
• Commonwealth Electoral Amendment Bill 2016
  • Report of the Joint Committee on Electoral Matters
• Report of the Legal and Constitutional Affairs References Committee on revenge pornography
  • Speeches – transcript and replay

Senate Discovery: 2 February to 12 February 2016

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• Aged Care Amendment (Red Tape Reduction in Places Management) Bill 2015
• Safety, Rehabilitation and Compensation Legislation Amendment (Exit Arrangements) Bill 2015
• Maritime Transport and Offshore Facilities Security Amendment (Inter-State Voyages) Bill 2015
• Recognition of Foreign Marriages Bill 2014
• Current Senate committee inquiries
• Getting involved in committees
• Senate Estimates