Richard Di Natale (Victoria, Australian Greens) Share this | Hansard source

We've had a number of considered speeches in this chamber, many by my colleagues and, indeed, many by members of the Labor Party. Through all of those speeches the one consistent theme is that what occurred yesterday was not a mistake. Indeed, Senator Chisholm has just acknowledged that this is something that would have been considered weeks before, that they would have had a position on it weeks before and that the position they took yesterday was a reflection of the Liberal Party's position on that motion.

Now, we agree with that; we agree absolutely with that. But, in supporting the recommittal of this motion, what the Labor Party have done is accept that the Liberal Party made a mistake. This is a convention that exists for senators who miss a division because they might be caught in the toilets or, indeed, for senators who might not be following the procedure in the Senate and might be confused about the point of proceedings we're at and may vote in a way that's not consistent with their views on an issue. That's why we recommit motions. We do it to allow senators in this chamber who have made a mistake an opportunity to correct that mistake.

In allowing and supporting a recommittal, Senator Wong and, indeed, Senator Chisholm have effectively agreed that what the Liberal Party have done is make a mistake. That's what recommitting the motion does. We would be pleased to offer leave to the Liberal Party to put forward another motion, one that expressly rejects the premise in the motion that they supported yesterday and, indeed, makes a positive and affirming statement about multiculturalism in Australia. We think that's the appropriate way to deal with this, and that's why we have taken the decision we have.

Question agreed to.