You lot are nothing but grinches working overtime to steal the joy right out of people's lives. Prime Minister Morrison has nothing but 'Bah! Humbug!' to say to people who are doing it tough this Christmas. We know that there are people who are struggling to put food on the table and who are struggling to keep a roof over their heads. And what is this government giving them for Christmas? Nothing, zilch, zero.

The Greens are calling for the Government to start work immediately on the three issues called out in the Aged Care Royal Commission interim report for immediate action.

"This report makes for distressing reading but comes as no surprise to anyone that has been paying attention to what has been happening in the sector", Senator Rachel Siewert, Australian Greens spokesperson on Ageing said.

Senator FARUQI (New South Wales) (12:38): I seek leave to make a short statement.

The PRESIDENT: Leave is granted for one minute.

Wednesday, 19 September

An Australian Greens motion calling for the terms of reference of a proposed Royal Commission to be expanded to cover violence, abuse and neglect of older Australians and disabled people in institutional and residential settings has been blocked.

Australian Greens Disability Rights spokesperson Senator Jordon Steele-John succeeded in securing the votes of the entire crossbench but the motion was ultimately voted down by the Labor and Liberal parties.

Tuesday, 18 September

Australian Greens Disability Rights spokesperson Senator Jordon Steele-John has called on the disability community, and its peak representative bodies, to lobby Prime Minister Morrison and the government to broaden the proposed Royal Commission to investigate violence, abuse and neglect of disabled people and older people in institutional and residential settings, including their own homes.

I rise to speak on the Social Services Legislation Amendment (Cashless Debit Card Trial Expansion) Bill 2018. The Australian Greens oppose this bill. The Greens have opposed the cashless debit card since its inception. The bill before us today intends to establish the Hervey Bay and Bundaberg trial site and, if this bill passes, this new trial site will continue on until 30 June 2020. In this trial, the cashless debit card would only be forced on those under 36 and receiving Newstart allowance, youth allowance or parenting payment.

The Turnbull government's relentless negativity and inability to focus on the issues that Australians care about has not come about because of the dysfunction of the last three days; it has been a hallmark throughout their time in government. No matter who takes the helm of the Liberal-National government, their policies will continue to wreak havoc on the Australian people. Their destructive agenda is one of a government that works for the big end of town at the expense of its people and the environment.