David Bradbury (Lindsay, Australian Labor Party, Assistant Treasurer ) Share this | Hansard source

I thank the member for Menzies for his contribution and for his indulgence a little earlier. The Not-for-profit Sector Freedom to Advocate Bill 2013 will introduce provisions that would prohibited and invalidate clauses in Commonwealth agreements with the not-for-profit sector that restrict or prevent not-for-profit entities from advocating on Commonwealth law, policy or action. It is an important bill given that we have recently seen Liberal state governments across Australia prohibiting community and not-for-profit organisations from speaking out against their savage cuts. For example, the New South Wales government has recently followed in the Queensland government's footsteps by proposing to introduce gag clauses into funding agreements with community legal centres. State Liberal governments are making their approach to the not-for-profit sector clear. They cut to the bone and then they try to silence any criticism.

Insulting gag clauses, I am afraid, are a part of the Liberal Party's DNA. They clearly have no respect for the independence of the not-for-profit sector. They used gag clauses when the Howard government was in power and it took a Labor government to remove them in 2008. If the opposition genuinely values and recognises the independence of the not-for-profit sector and the contribution it makes to policy debates, then the Leader of the Opposition must publicly condemn the use of gag clauses by his Liberal state colleagues. Indeed, I noted with interest the comments of the member for Menzies about the suggestion that, when it comes to the not-for-profit sector, 'they get it', to quote him. If they do get it, I would suggest that he should, at the very least, pick up the phone and call Premier Newman and Premier O'Farrell and ask them to overturn the positions they have implemented which have sought to gag the not-for-profit sector, to silence their opponents, people who have stood up in defence of a range of organisations, from community development organisations through to domestic violence services, organisations which have sought to speak out against cuts to government programs. The response of those respective Liberal governments has been to impose gag clauses, to silence their opponents under the threat of withdrawing any remaining government funding that they may be entitle to. That is what the not-for-profit sector could look forward to if the Leader of the Opposition and the coalition were to be elected. I commend the bill to the House.

A division having been called in the House of Representatives—

Sitting suspended from 17:20 to 17:35

Question agreed to.

Bill read a second time.

Ordered that this bill be reported to the House without amendment.

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