It's been one thing to see that Australia is entering into its first recession in 29 years—a remarkable event in and of itself. The amount of growth that's happened in the Australian economy, especially over the last seven years, all comes down to coalition governments.

For once in this sitting fortnight—once—a Labor senator has actually mentioned the name Dan Andrews, the Premier of Victoria. Why have they been hiding from mentioning this up until now? I can tell you why: 19,000 cases of COVID and 500-odd deaths in Victoria.

As my fellow senators—from this side of the chamber, at least—have already stated, the government will not be supporting this bill, no matter how well intentioned the senators from One Nation think they are being.

I rise as a senator for Victoria, a state that I love and that is sadly now in a state of disaster—I don't mean just those who have lost lives in COVID-19. I give my condolences to the 438 families who have needlessly lost loved ones, and I pray the 3,600 active cases get well soon, like the 14,000-plus cases who have already recovered.

For many Victorians, the past year has been a year like no other. From the drought to the bushfires and now the COVID pandemic, the Morrison government has been there every step of the way.

I rise to speak today about this important matter of public importance. While I thank Senator Walsh for the opportunity to highlight the great work of the Federal Government is doing to support communities hit be the summer bushfires, I also understand that she has not once sought a briefing from federal authorities on the recovery progress.

Before I go into the details of the bill, can I recognise this Government’s continued commitment to ensuring that Australian business can survive and thrive in these difficult times.

Can I recognise this Government’s continued commitment to participating in the international rules based order and our ongoing efforts to support the various international institutions that work within it.

I rise to speak on the Offshore Petroleum and Greenhouse Gas Storage Amendment (Cross-Boundary Greenhouse Gas Titles and Other Measures) Bill 2019, and the Offshore Petroleum and Greenhouse Gas Storage (Regulatory Levies) Amendment (Miscellaneous Measures) Bill 2019.

I rise to speak on the Treasury Laws Amendment (Recovering Unpaid Superannuation) Bill 2019.

The Coalition Government have a strong record on supporting the small businesses that employ Australians. It is in our blood.

On this side of the Chamber, we believe that Australia’s science, research and innovation system benefits our national interest, through generating economic opportunity, and by improving the life of its citizens.

Science, research and innovation can support innovative businesses when linked with higher education, by providing the ideas, technologies, knowledge and skills that are necessary for innovation and value creation.

Yesterday, I rose in this place to express our condolences to those who suffered loss in the recent devastating bushfires, and to thank those who have worked so hard to combat them.

It was not the time for partisan debate nor expressing outrage on the circumstances surrounding such tragedy, but rather a time for sombre reflection, rolling up our sleeves, or both.

I too rise today to express my condolences on the tragic loss of life and devastation caused by the recent fires right across Australia but, particularly in my home state of Victoria.

In this place, I offer my heartfelt grief for all of those who have lost loved ones, friends, livelihoods and homes.

I rise to take note of the answer given in question time. As I said in my first speech earlier this year, we are the party of good government. Of that, there can be no doubt.

Good government means good governance, and that means good stewardship of public moneys—something those on the other side know little about.

I, too, thank Senator Gallagher for this opportunity to speak on this timely matter of public importance relating to the coalition's government's support for regional and rural Australia. One thing is extremely clear: the coalition government backs regional Australia. We don't just want our regions to succeed; we want them to thrive. Just like my beloved Collingwood Magpies, we as coalition senators stand side by side with our farmers and small businesses in regional Australia.

I rise tonight to join my colleagues in supporting the Treasury Laws Amendment (Prohibiting Energy Market Misconduct) Bill 2019, which is currently before the Senate. As some in here would know, I've spent much of my career in and around the energy market. It's clear that we need to bring some sense and some knowledge to this debate, and I hope to do that now.

I rise to take note of answers in question time that highlight the government's positive plan for a strong economy that creates more jobs for Australia. As Minister Cormann has stated in question time today, the fundamentals of the Australian economy remain sound. We have a AAA credit rating, record labour market participation and welfare dependency at its lowest level in three decades.

I rise to support the Treasury Laws Amendment (Ending Grandfathered Conflicted Remuneration) Bill 2019. This bill amends the Corporations Act to end the payment of grandfathered conflicted remuneration to financial advisers.

Our oceans are choking with plastic and other waste, yet conversations within our community are repetitive, and action needs to move at a quicker pace. Single-use plastics are everywhere. Plastic bags carry our groceries and single-use plastic bottles stack our shelves in our supermarkets despite there being clear alternatives like aluminium and glass. From the comfort of our home, images flash on our television screens of marine wildlife washing up having been tangled in or having ingested a single-use plastic item.

I rise to speak on this matter of public importance. I thank Senator Gallagher for raising this issue, as it gives those of us on this side of the chamber another opportunity to highlight the coalition government's positive plan for infrastructure. The federal government has delivered a record $100 billion national infrastructure pipeline, which includes $10 billion committed per year over the forward estimates. In the last budget the coalition government also increased support for transport infrastructure by about a third.