The threat landscape that we as a nation are confronted with today is vastly different from that of five, 10 and 20 years ago. It's important to note that next month marks the 20-year anniversary of the terrorist attacks on 11 September 2001. The events in Afghanistan this week brought back the dark memories of that attack on the US people by foreign nationals. Those attacks changed the world and the way in which liberal democracies protect their citizens.

A lot has changed in those 20 years, but the need to protect Australia from attacks and interference by foreign actors has not. Technology has changed how the world works, and the massive rise of cyberattacks has created challenges which have seen the need to significantly increase the size of our intelligence agencies. The technology and geopolitics driving these changes can have serious ramifications on the effective functioning of our democracy if not properly acknowledged and addressed. Information is now more important to world affairs than at any previous point in history, as a result of those advances in data driven technology. Information is now the world's most consequential and contested geopolitical resource. It is a growing source of state power, where we have seen undoubtable evidence that many of our adversaries are expending more time, energy and resources to build and utilise this capability.

There are a variety of reasons for which states conduct intelligence, however, the foremost of these being to increase understanding and knowledge. The timely acquisition of intelligence can improve the quality of decision-making by reducing ignorance of the situation faced and enabling actions or decisions to be optimised. In order to keep Australians safe from foreign adversaries, we must be able to effectively inhibit external actors' ability to collect intelligence on Australia and our communities. This is a national security priority. As the methodologies of intelligence collection develop and change with the rapidly evolving technologies, so must our national security laws. The Richardson review was conducted as a response to this changing threat landscape to ensure that the legislative framework that we have in place effectively addresses the threat at hand. The Richardson review's examination of the legislative framework underpinning the national intelligence community is the first and largest since the Hope royal commissions considered the Australian intelligence community in the 1970s and 1980s. I would like to thank Mr Richardson for the important work he did on this. He has been, over his career, one of Australia's best public servants. That is no mean feat, especially when you see the calibre of our current bureaucrats, including the Director-General of Security and the Secretary of the Department of Home Affairs.

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.

There is no doubt that in the current environment any death relating to COVID-19 is tragic and that older Australians are the most vulnerable to its impacts. In this debate, we mustn't forget the tragic losses that families, friends and loved ones are experiencing due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

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.

I rise to speak on the Transport Security Amendment (Testing and Training) Bill 2019, which relates to the testing and training of Australia's aviation screening inspectors.

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.

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.

I rise today to speak in support of this Bill that supports Australia’s wine producers and the integrity of their product.

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.