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

I know Senator Cash has touched on the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child. I would like to go over that. As to the legislation: Australia signed, or ratified, the United Nation's Convention on the Rights of the Child in 1990. Article 7 of the convention says:

The child shall … have … as far as possible, the right to know and be cared for by his or her parents.

Article 9 says that signatory nations shall:

… respect the right of the child who is separated from one or both parents to maintain personal relations and direct contact with both parents on a regular basis, except if it is contrary to the child's best interests.

Article 18 says that the signatory nations shall:

… use their best efforts to ensure recognition of the principle that both parents have common responsibilities for the upbringing and development of the child.

Minister, can you direct me to anywhere in your bill that states and expresses these words?