Sharon Claydon (Newcastle, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Hansard source

by leave—I would to make a few brief comments regarding the two reports that have just been tabled. I want to put my comments on the record, following comments by my chair, the member for Dawson, regarding the two roundtables that the Social Policy and Legal Affairs Committee has recently conducted.

Firstly, I will speak about the inquiry report regarding Revisiting recognition: Report on the roundtable with Australian South Sea Islanders, which was a report on the roundtable that we held with Australian South Sea Islanders. In addition to that appalling colonial history that the chair has mapped out, I would like to say how instructive it was to take evidence directly from Australian South Sea Islanders during that roundtable. Really, it reaffirmed what the committee had been hearing in evidence previously—just how little progress we have made in the 20 years since that formal recognition of Australian South Sea Islanders—and showed some of the ongoing hurt that this has caused a number of people in that community.

There was a particular concern when we wrote to each of the ministers who had some portfolio responsibilities in this area to ask, 'Could you please let us know how far you have got in terms of implementing the HREOC recommendations of 20 years ago?' The disturbing fact was that not only had little progress been made but there was the inability of many departments actually to track that progress now because records have been lost or mislaid. So part of the committee's recommendation was about making sure that we do not again lose sight of how we go about implementing recommendations that have been made; that we have a good system in place for continuous monitoring of achievements. That is why part of that recommendation—I think from the conclusion of the committee—was that not only do we acknowledge that the social and economic situation of Australian South Sea Islanders is now a matter of national concern—as it should be—but the committee itself will continue to monitor the Australian government's policies in relation to South Sea Islander peoples here in Australia. I think that is the important part of our recommendation there.

In relation to that, I also pay tribute to the efforts of the committee secretariat to ensure that our communications with the wider Australian community were as effective as they could possibly be. In particular, I draw the House's attention to the podcast, which was a recording of evidence taken during that roundtable discussion with Australian South Sea Islanders. They had expressed concerns—as the chair pointed out—about the little progress that had been made towards the goals of recognition since 1994. That podcast, importantly, is accompanied by a really remarkable collection of archival photographs depicting the lived experience of Australian South Sea Islander peoples here in this nation.

Now, just briefly in relation to the second report that the chair has tabled—the roundtable on surrogacy. In addition to comments made by the chair, the committee absolutely acknowledges that the issues around surrogacy are broad and complex, and have wide-ranging effects for all parties involved. Certainly, one thing that has become obvious is that there are rapidly-increasing numbers of Australians pursuing surrogacy options in overseas jurisdictions. In turn, that has really highlighted for us the inadequacy of Australia's domestic legislation and also the obligations of Australia as a good international citizen.

In closing—so as not to take up too much of the time of the House—I do want to reiterate the committee's appreciation for all of those people who participated in both roundtables. I thank all participants for giving so generously of their time, their knowledge and their personal, lived experience. Their input is an integral part of the committee's work. Likewise I again thank the committee secretariat, under the very steady leadership of Dr Anna Dacre. The secretariat's hard work and diligence helps to keep us on track and on time.

I would also like to put on record our particular thanks to the now-outgoing inquiry secretary, Mr Thomas Gregory, for his work on the revisiting recognition roundtable in particular, and to welcome the new inquiry secretary, Mr Muzammil Ali, and to thank him for his efforts with regard to the roundtable on surrogacy.

The committee looks forward to working together on a future inquiry into the regulatory and legislative framework around both domestic and international surrogacy arrangements. We trust that the Attorney-General will accept the committee's recommendation and refer this inquiry to our committee as a matter of priority.

I commend both reports to the House.

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