Senate debates

Monday, 2 December 2019

Motions

Racism

3:52 pm

Photo of Jonathon DuniamJonathon Duniam (Tasmania, Liberal Party, Assistant Minister for Forestry and Fisheries) Share this | Hansard source

The government deplores all forms of anti-Semitism, including from the far right and the far left, as demonstrated by our support of motion No. 279 from Senators Griff and O'Neill. This government has been a global leader in addressing anti-Semitic content online through its legislation on abhorrent violent material, which was effective recently in preventing the use of social media platforms to amplify the anti-Semitic attacks on synagogues in Germany. Preventing anti-Semitic discrimination is exactly the reason the government is working towards introducing a religious discrimination bill.

However, part (b) of this motion calls for a bill of rights. The proposal has been publicly debated and—for good reasons, including the diminishing democratic decision-making and politicisation of the judiciary—was roundly rejected in that public debate. It is not supported by the government because it's not the best way to protect rights in Australia.

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