Nick McKim (Tasmania, Australian Greens) Share this | Hansard source

I am sorry, Mr Deputy President. I do apologise. The point is that these changes do erode fundamental civil and human rights in Australia. Australians have fought and died to protect and enhance these fundamental rights over many generations in this country. If we are going to keep eroding them—and the Greens do not support the continued erosion of these rights—at least have the common decency to make the case to the Australian people. Do not try to erode these rights without any evidence whatsoever that they will make Australia a safer place.

I believe that these proposed changes will, in effect, turn Australia's so-called anti-terror laws into a more draconian suite of laws than currently exist in any other liberal democracy in the world. Senators need to ask themselves the question of whether they believe the level of risk in this country is so high as to justify Australia having the most draconian so-called anti-terror legislation in the world. I do not think the facts back up the changes that the government is proposing. And I do not believe the government has put any evidence before the Australian people that would back up the continued further erosion of fundamental civil and human rights in this country.

The Greens will stand up for these rights. In the absence of any evidence whatsoever to demonstrate a need for change in this area, we will not be supporting the reforms. That is because we understand that, when you provide governments and authorities with extra powers, there is, unfortunately, an increase in the likelihood that those powers will be abused. We see, time after time, authorities abusing power—not just in Australia but right around the world. We have seen corruption and other power abuses over a long period of time in this country. It is the job of this parliament to be the guardian of civil and human rights in this country by ensuring that we have strong laws that protect those rights, but also that we do not allow those rights to be eroded unless there is demonstrated need. The government has manifestly failed to make the case for change in this context.

Question agreed to.