Kim Carr (Victoria, Australian Labor Party, Shadow Minister Assisting the Leader for Science) Share this | Hansard source

Mr Chairman, I believe that the previous Greens amendment would make those provisions now redundant as well, so I do not wish to proceed.

The CHAIRMAN: We should then move to opposition amendment (1) on sheet 7639.

Mr Chairman, I wish to move amendment (1) on revised sheet 7639, with a further—

Lights in the chamber having dimmed—

Honourable senators interjecting—

The CHAIRMAN: Order! This is not the most exciting thing that has happened tonight. I believe there is enough light for us to continue, so we will press on.

I would also seek to further amend amendment (1) on revised sheet 7639, clause (iv), which currently says: 'conceal a physical, psychological or emotional disability', to change the word 'emotional' to 'intellectual'. I move revised amendment (1):

(1) Schedule 5, item 7, page 94 (line 3), at the end of subsection 5J(3), add:

  ; or (c) without limiting paragraph (a) or (b), require the person to do any of the following:

     (i) alter his or her religious beliefs, including by renouncing a religious conversion, or conceal his or her true religious beliefs, or cease to be involved in the practice of his or her faith;

     (ii) conceal his or her true race, ethnicity, nationality or country of origin;

     (iii) alter his or her political beliefs or conceal his or her true political beliefs;

     (iv) conceal a physical, psychological or intellectual disability;

     (v) enter into or remain in a marriage to which that person is opposed, or accept the forced marriage of a child;

     (vi) alter his or her sexual orientation or gender identity or conceal his or her true sexual orientation, gender identity or intersex status.

I understand that this is likely to attract the support of the chamber. The government is supporting it. These measures are being moved in the light of the changes the government is making. This is being moved because the replacement of the refugee convention with these preferred interpretations of convention obligations requires much closer definitions of the so-called modifications that people have to enter into if they are to attract support. As a consequence, I believe they are self-evident requirements, and I commend them to the chamber.