Pauline Hanson (Queensland, Pauline Hanson's One Nation Party) Share this | Hansard source

I would like to respond to that comment by Senator Waters with regard to her private senator's bill. I was one of the ones who blocked it, and I would do it again and again and again. I think that that private senator's bill was absolutely disgusting. To think that this parliament could put it up and see whether a member of parliament, elected by the people, is a fit and proper person, when this parliament was set up, under our Constitution, with a separation of powers between the judiciary and the parliament. That is not the case here.

A private senator's bill of this nature means that they want to act as judge and jury. This has been before the police. There are no allegations because the person who made the allegations to a friend has now passed away. The minister has been before the police to see if there is a case to answer. We are not here to act as a judicial part of the parliament, to see if someone is a fit and proper person. I could name someone in the Greens party who I think should come under that also; I could put up a private senator's bill to see whether they are a fit and proper person to be here in this parliament as well. Where does it stop? Who will be the next one to be called out?

I think it's absolutely disgusting of the Greens to carry on as if they have the right to bring anyone to justice, when we have a judicial system, not a private senator's bill, to do that. We have rejected a private senator's bill in this place because of the wording. To say whether a member of parliament is fit and proper is not up to this parliament. It's not up to an inquiry. It is not up to the Greens to investigate whether he's guilty or not. It is up to the courts to decide that. We have a process of justice in this country, and if we allow this to happen who will be the next one in line that they are disagreeable with?

I am fully supportive of Christian Porter getting on and doing the job he was elected to do. The fact is that it will be the people of his electorate who will make the decision, not the Greens or anyone else pushing their own agenda. It is not up to you. Leave this to our judicial system to deal with. We have a system in place. I think it's disgusting and appalling for you to be carrying on again, like you do, as if you've got—I can't even say who you are. It is absolutely shameful and disgusting that you are actually doing this.