Michaelia Cash (WA, Liberal Party, Shadow Minister for Foreign Affairs) Share this | Hansard source

I rise today on behalf of the opposition to speak to the motion and indicate that, whilst the opposition appreciates the government moving the motion, we do not believe that it goes far enough, given the circumstances that occurred yesterday, and amendments on behalf of the opposition have been circulated in the chamber. I move:

Omit paragraphs (c) to (e), substitute:

(c) notes the actions of the President in addressing the matter as soon as the Senate sat following the speech, recognising that when the Governor-General is in the chair the President cannot exercise the usual powers or authority to manage the chamber as the President would on a typical sitting day;

(d) calls on:

(i) all senators to respect our democratic institutions, including our Parliament, to engage in debates and commentary respectfully, and to refrain from inflammatory and divisive actions that reflect poorly on the Senate, both inside and outside the chamber, and to uphold the standards of the Senate at all times, and

(ii) Senator Faruqi to apologise for the unparliamentary conduct, disrespect of proceedings and disregard for the position of the Governor-General as our Head of State and conventions of our parliamentary democracy;

(e) in the event Senator Faruqi fails to apologise for the unparliamentary conduct, calls on the President to report to the Senate that Senator Faruqi has committed an offence in accordance with standing order 203 so that a motion may be moved that Senator Faruqi be suspended from the sitting of the Senate; and

(f) in light of this conduct, does not regard it as appropriate for Senator Faruqi to represent the Senate as a member of any delegation during the life of this parliament.

As I said, we appreciate that the government expresses its profound disapproval of Senator Faruqi's disrespectful protest and the actions. However, we believe that the ultimate punishment fails to meet the gravity of what occurred during yesterday's joint sitting of parliament. It falls short of what Australians rightly expect of their elected representatives. What we witnessed yesterday was not simply a breach of standing orders; it was a breach of respect for the institution of the Senate. It was a breach of our rules, for our history, but, most importantly, the people that we serve.

All senators here now know what occurred. During the entirety of the Governor-General's 35-minute address, a speech that formally opens the parliament and reflects the sovereign authority of His Majesty the King, Senator Faruqi chose to hold up a political protest sign. Let us be clear. The act was not incidental, it was not momentary and it certainly was not spontaneous. It was deliberate, prolonged and clearly intended to politicise a solemn and ceremonial event. It was conducted in full view of the Governor-General, of members of both houses of the Australian parliament, and of the public, both those in the galleries and those watching from home.

President, the opening of parliament is not just a formality; it is a foundational moment. It represents the continuity of our democratic traditions, the legitimacy of our institutions and the unity of our nation. It is not a time for political stunts. It is a time for dignity, for restraint and for honouring the trust placed in us, as senators, by the Australian people.

Senator Faruqi's behaviour, by any measure, was in breach of the standing orders, and we must all ask ourselves when considering this motion: What message does Senator Faruqi's behaviour and her conduct send? What message does it send to the Australians watching at home, many of whom look to this place still, today, with hope and expectation? What message does it send to young Australians learning about our democracy? And, importantly, what message does it send to our international partners and diplomatic allies who rightly expect that our parliament conducts itself with seriousness and with respect?

This was not a protest in the street. This was not a media appearance. This was the formal opening of the 48th Parliament of Australia. There are many opportunities—and we are afforded the great privilege—to raise political concerns: in speeches, in debates, in committee hearings, in question time, in press conferences and, yes, even at peaceful protests outside of this building. But this chamber must remain a place where rules matter—where order, not opportunism, prevails.

Let me be crystal clear. The issue here is not whether a senator or senators hold dissenting views. Of course they can; that is their right and, I would even say—based on their party—their duty. But with that right comes a responsibility—the responsibility to act in accordance with the rules of this place and to exercise judgement about how and when that dissent is to be expressed.

Senator Faruqi, like any one of us, has ample opportunity to raise her concerns within this chamber, outside of this chamber, through the media, through statements, or even, should she choose, through peaceful protest. What she chose instead was to use one of the most important moments on the parliamentary calendar to stage a protest that was entirely inappropriate in both setting and manner.

The opposition firmly believes—and it's reflected in our amendment—that Senator Faruqi's actions deserve formal recognition under standing order 203. We believe that she should be called upon to explain herself and apologise, and, if she fails to do so, we believe that the Senate should be given the opportunity to suspend her from this place, as the rules allow and, I would argue, as the gravity of what occurred yesterday at the official opening of the 48th Parliament of Australia, quite frankly deserves.

To those who may argue that such a response—given that the motion in particular does not address this—is heavy-handed, let me say this: rules without enforcement are meaningless, standards without accountability are hollow and institutions without discipline become irrelevant. The Senate is not a forum for street theatre. It is not—

An incident having occurred in the gallery—