Nola Marino (Forrest, Liberal Party) Share this | Hansard source

I wish to join with other members of the House in supporting this motion concerning the murder of Jo Cox. She was, as we are all aware, a very dedicated and hard-working woman, and she had committed her life, as members of parliament do, to the service of others. We know she spent time working on humanitarian issues. From Oxfam through to her role as a member of parliament, she sought to address some of the most pressing international challenges of our time, particularly Syria. Jo Cox was absolutely committed to making the world a better place. Her contribution to public life is an example to all of us.

Jo Cox's death at such a young age is a tragic loss for her family, her friends, the constituents of Batley and Spen, the British parliament and the wider community. I join with others in expressing my deepest sympathies to everyone who knew her. For all of us who are members of parliament this is particularly real. I think each one of us is aware that, in the current environment, there but for the grace of God. I think that is what we all really understand.

This year I represented Australia at the Inter-Parliamentary Union gathering in Geneva. Australia had a particularly pertinent resolution up. It was one that Louise Markus, when she was the member for Macquarie, started when she went to a previous IPU gathering. It was then brought along by Senator Sue Lines, and I finished the process at the last gathering. Sometimes we see very good outcomes when we all work together. I see this as a prime example. Although the resolution was particularly relevant, and the former member for Macquarie had started this much earlier, it was not until we were there with our British colleagues discussing Jo's death that it was shown just how relevant this resolution was.

It is a particularly important resolution that says:

The freedom of women to participate in political processes fully, safely and without interference: Building partnerships between men and women to achieve this objective.

It is a wonderful example of how Australia contributes in this international forum. I was the rapporteur at a particular stage during the debate when the British parliamentarians raised the issue and discussed elements of the resolution and the act of provisions. It was here when we heard so much about Jo, when we heard how important Australia's resolution was and when we heard how important the timing was. So, in spite of the gravity of the situation, I want to inform members here that Australia has taken a very active role internationally in this space. I would encourage members to have a look at that resolution.

This was a very important resolution. This was the 135th IPU gathering. It was very important from many angles, and I presented it to the broader plenary when we finished. Just think: 141 countries were represented and over 673 MPs attended from around the world, and Australia's resolution was passed unanimously. There was such a great consensus, not just on the back of the tragedy with Jo. So many women that we meet when we are a part of those gatherings have such challenging environments as members of parliament. It is not like what we have come to expect in Australia—we see that frequently.

One of the parts of this resolution that I thought was really important was that it called on:

… political leaders and individual men and women parliamentarians to condemn—

which is what we are doing today—

acts of harassment, intimidation and violence against women candidates and parliamentarians, including online and in social media

It also called on parliaments to adopt legal and practical measures to prevent and punish such acts. In light of what has happened to Jo Cox, we can well support those recommendations.

I want to briefly touch on the need for the development and encouragement of strong male political advocates for women. They are very important to the success of women. Politics is very robust and increasingly adversarial right around the world. When I have talked with my colleagues and other parliamentarians at the IPU, as other members would have, and in the visits that have been to this house—and the Afghani women parliamentarians are a prime example—I have seen more and more women facing this sort of challenge.

I am particularly concerned about social media bullying. That can prevent men and women from running as a political representative. Once they get there the nature of the bullying is destructive and aggressive. It is a free-for-all. In recognising Jo's efforts, I say that every member of parliament I have come across in my time has been there for the right reasons. Each one has their beliefs and is pursuing them to make a difference and to do the best they can. Social media bullying is an issue that we have to deal with. Often it facilitates what we have seen here and can encourage a whole lot of others into that space.

I want to once again offer my personal sincere condolences to Jo and her family. This is no longer something any of us take lightly. If it can happen to Jo, basically it can happen to any member of parliament anywhere. I encourage members to look at this resolution. Equally, all members of parliament, men and women, are very aware of the environment we work in, and we need it to be safe. I encourage all of us to work to that outcome.

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