Senate debates

Wednesday, 15 August 2018

Motions

White Australia Policy

9:52 am

Photo of Tim StorerTim Storer (SA, Independent) Share this | Hansard source

I would like to formally add my support to this motion. I'm a strong supporter of the bipartisan immigration policies backed by successive parliaments in the years since Liberal Prime Minister Harold Holt, at the head of a government in coalition with the then Country Party, started to end the White Australia policy, not Gough Whitlam, as stated by Senator Anning. I found much of what Senator Anning said yesterday to be incendiary, offensive and factually incorrect. It is Senate practice to shake the hand of senators after they have delivered their first speech. As I see myself as a courteous and polite individual, that is what I did, but I want to make sure that this act was not an endorsement of the contents of Senator Anning's speech, just a common courtesy and in line with Senate protocol. I want to make very clear that I strongly believe that we are a better multicultural country as a result of the ending of the White Australia policy, as noted before. I will always stand up for generous, non-discriminatory immigration policy in Australia. The Senate here today reflects this and indicates strongly the strong contribution that migrants have made to our nation. We should always defend that to the hilt.

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