The community the consensus is clear: the children need to go back to school. Recent reports indicate that in my home state of Victoria more than 340 teenagers a week are ending up in the hospital with mental health emergencies—an 83 per cent rise on last year and a 162 per cent increase from 2019. Anyone will tell you that these figures are truly horrific. It's a clear indication of the negative effects of the 212 days of the Andrews government's lockdowns.

While battling one health pandemic it is essential that we do not create another one. Return to school can only be achieved with safety at front of mind. What is occurring right now is simply untenable. Our young people need to go back to school. Once all school staff members are vaccinated there would be no reason this could not happen.

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 thank Senator Pratt for raising the bureaucratic nightmare that we're seeing in my home state of Victoria—a bureaucratic nightmare that those on the other side seem to not only have a blind spot for but have turned a tin ear to as well.

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.

On 15 April of this year, two young women from the University of Melbourne were walking along Elizabeth Street in Melbourne in my home state of Victoria, when they were assaulted because of their race and ethnicity. To these two students, I would like to say – we stand with you.

The Opposition Leader’s recent flutter at climate change this past week is the ALP’s weakest attempt yet to insert itself in to a debate that has left Labor lost in space.

I rise today to speak in support of the Trade Support Loans Amendment (Improving Administration) Bill that supports Australia’s apprentices and the tradies of our future.

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 make a statement on the parlous state of energy supply in Victoria.

My once great state is now facing a high probability of electricity blackouts this summer due to the failures of the Andrews government.

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 note that, while this is the first time I rise to speak in the chamber, this is not my official first speech. I want to thank the Senate for allowing me to speak on a tragic event in advance of my first speech. I rise to raise awareness of an issue of significance in light of a recent tragedy, and I thank the Senate for indulgence to speak on this important matter.