Anne Ruston (SA, Liberal Party, Shadow Minister for Health and Aged Care) Share this | Hansard source

Thank you very much, President. In standing to speak to the motion that's before the chair, I would like to move an amendment to the motion moved by Senator Wong. The amendment that we are seeking to move is done out of complete respect for everybody in this chamber and for everybody in this country, because we believe that we must in in this place understand and tolerate the views of everybody in this chamber. But, in doing so, we must do it in a respectful way.

We know that Australia is a culturally and religiously diverse nation. Those values have contributed to this country, and every citizen has a role to play in the cultural diversity of this nation and the strength that it draws from that diversity. For Australia to be recognised as a place where people can live their lives according to their beliefs and their culture, and to be what can be rightly considered one of the most culturally successful nations on this planet, it so, so, important that, when we come into this place, our actions, behaviours and words all reflect what we would like to see as our proud society.

Fundamental to that absolutely has to be respect for everybody. What we do in here is a reflection of what happens out there. We are elected to this place to be leaders in this country. Our actions are important, and I say that to every single member of this chamber. Our actions are important, and you can't come in here and accuse someone of doing something on one side of the chamber and then do the very same thing yourself.

So today we've sought to move an amendment to this motion, because, as the motion says, this nation has been built on the multicultural values of this country—every race and every faith that lives here. We absolutely are a country that is welcoming of every religion and its views, and respect for each other is fundamental to that. Of course, we reject any disrespect, any vilification and any discrimination in this nation, no matter what the basis. As I said, we must reaffirm that parliamentarians have a role to play in upholding appropriate standards, because what we do here is what we cannot expect others in our community to do if we are not prepared to uphold it in this place.

We also need to understand that a safe workplace is absolutely fundamental. It's not just about us; it's also about our staff and all the staff of the Senate. We need to consider them. When our behaviour, in any way, jeopardises, threatens or insults our staff we also have a responsibility for that, because in this place we set the example for Australia.

In speaking to this, we believe the precedent was set in the past in relation to somebody being suspended for an action in this place. We saw it happen with Senator Thorpe in relation to her aggressive behaviour towards another senator in this place, and that suspension took place and was acted upon immediately. We also saw a situation occur with the suspension in relation to Senator Di Natale when he refused to accept the ruling of the then chair, Senator Parry, and action was taken appropriately at the time. We do not believe we should be coming into this place to repechage your decision of yesterday, President. The process was undertaken, the will of the chamber was expressed and the senator in question was required to take the action as expressed by you. We absolutely support you in your decision and we also support you every time that your actions or your rulings are disregarded.

I say to everybody in this place: we are elected by the Australian public because they expect us to come here and do things that are important for them. I don't believe the actions of the other end of the chamber reflect what the Australian public wants us to be doing in this place. They want us to be concerned about the issues that they are facing every day. They can't afford to pay their bills. They can't pay their power bills. They can't get in to see a doctor. They can't afford to buy a house. They are struggling to raise their families. They are the issues the Australian public want us to be addressing in this place. As a party of government that is exactly what we want to be doing in this place, as the coalition. We want to be prosecuting the issues that matter to everyday Australians.

That doesn't mean to say we don't take very seriously the importance of respect in relation to the conventions in this place. We have respect for those conventions, respect for this chamber, respect for this parliament and respect for every single Australian. I move the amendment, as circulated in my name in the chamber:

Omit all words after 'That the Senate—' and insert:

(a) affirms that Australia has been built by people of every race and faith;

(b) reaffirms that Australia is a nation that welcomes different races, religions and views, united by respect for each other and each other's right to live in peace;

(c) rejects any attempt to vilify or mock people because of religion;

(d) reiterates its solidarity with those who have been vilified because of their faith;

(e) reaffirms that all parliamentarians have a role to play in upholding appropriate standards of behaviour in Parliament; and

(f) calls on those who work in and report on this chamber to ensure they are not causing harm or platforming harmful actions.

I believe the amendment appropriately reaffirms the commitment that every single one of us should have to Australia and the respect that we should have for every member of our community.