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

Senator Brandis has moved amendment (1) on sheet 8333, which, as we on this side of the chamber understand it, appears to reflect one aspect of the ICCPR into Australian law. We think it is an unusual and novel proposal. We believe it has uncertain legal effect, some have asserted to us potentially far-reaching. On the one hand, Senator Brandis and others have suggested this is of minor or cosmetic or inconsequential effect. One wonders then on what basis there is a reason to put it into legislation.