Pic source: studentedge.com.au Senator McKENZIE (Victoria) (12:15): I too rise to speak to the Social Services Legislation Amendment (Youth Employment and Other Measures) Bill 2015. All of us come here to build a better future for our nation, for our families and our communities. Addressing the sc... Read more

Pic source: water.gov.au Senator McKENZIE (Victoria) (19:00): It gives me great satisfaction to commend this particular bill, the Water Amendment Bill 2015, to the Senate. I do thank those opposite and the Labor Party for supporting its passage through the other place. Senator Kim Carr: Why ar... Read more

Senator McKENZIE (Victoria) (15:22): I too rise to take note of the answers given by Senator Abetz and Senator Brandis to questions asked by Senator Conroy and Senator Cameron. Here we are, as Conroy and Cameron— The DEPUTY PRESIDENT: Sen... Read more

Senator McKENZIE (Victoria) (18:15): I rise to add my contribution on the Social Services Legislation Amendment (No. 2) Bill 2015—a bill for an act to amend the law relating to social security and aged care and for related purposes. The bill i... Read more

Pic source: Ag Workforce Tonight I briefly want to spend some time updating the Senate on a round of consultation that the government is undertaking on behalf of the education backbench. Over 30 rural and regional government senators and members from right around the country have been very, ve... Read more

Senator McKENZIE (Victoria) (16:37):  It grieves me but I am glad to actually participate in this ridiculous debate where, once again, the Labor Party trots out its tired lines—although I am quite excited about some of the adjectives those opposite have chosen to throw into today's motion... Read more

Senator McKENZIE (Victoria) (18:12):  I rise tonight to speak on the report from the Select Committee on Australia's Food Processing sector, for which the government response was handed down this week. As a representative of rural and regional Australia, it was a pleasure to work on this select... Read more

Senator McKENZIE (Victoria) (16:33):  I rise to speak on this matter of public importance. A vote for the state Coalition Government on Saturday in Victoria will deliver strong environmental policies to address climate change and safeguard natural resources in Victoria. What we have before us i... Read more

Senator McKENZIE (Victoria) (17:26):  I am very proud to rise to speak to the government's response to the Senate Education, Employment and Workplace Relations References Committee report Teaching and Learning—Maximising our investment in Australian schools. I was one of the senators, wit... Read more

Senator McKENZIE (Victoria) (17:48):  The hypocrisy! The level of debt that was left and the assumptions underpinning those from the other side who have spoken on this particular MPI are absolutely breathtaking. The assumption is that we on this side do not appreciate public broadcasters and do... Read more

Nearly two months ago, I addressed the Senate on why a trade deal with China was so important to our farmers, and I am absolutely thrilled to be standing here tonight to say that the Abbott-Truss government has once again delivered.  The signing of the China-Australia Free Trade Agreement yest... Read more

Senator McKENZIE (Victoria) (20:50):  Here we are re-prosecuting the rhetoric once again, with the Labor Party and the Greens trotting out their familiar lines. The Coalition believes that every child in this nation is entitled to a great educat... Read more

Senator McKENZIE (Victoria) (01:36):  It gives me great pleasure to rise tonight to participate in the adjournment debate. This fortnight, government senators have worked very hard to demonstrate to the public the co-dependent relationship betwe... Read more

I rise very proudly tonight to speak to the Higher Education and Research Reform Amendment Bill 2014. I also rise to speak as the chair of the Senate Education and Employment Legislation Committee. We conducted a very comprehensive inquiry into this ... Read more

Tonight I rise to make to make some comments on how the government's higher education reform will expand opportunities for regional students. As Sam Seaborn famously said, 'Education is the silver bullet.' It is critical for our economic and social wellbeing as a nation. I am concerned and frustrate... Read more