Penny Wong (SA, Australian Labor Party, Leader of the Opposition in the Senate) Share this | Hansard source

We have an important job to do today, and that is to stand up for our system of democracy, which recognises the importance of independent institutions.

It is our job today to say that we believe that independent statutory authorities ought be able to do their jobs without fear or favour. It is our job today to stand up for those who are not able to stand up in this place and argue their cases. It is our job to stand up to those who do not have the pulpit of parliament to issue bullying statements, critical statements and endless attacks on the President of the Human Rights Commission, because that is what we have seen from this government. Whether in the House of Representatives, where we have seen the Prime Minister— (Time expired)