David Shoebridge (NSW, Australian Greens) | Hansard source

Do you know why I think it's important, President? I think it's urgent to stand up to hardcore right-wing racists—and our party thinks that, and we can't believe the Labor Party doesn't. If those watching this debate or ruling on this debate don't see it's important and urgent to stand up to hardcore right-wing racists who think it's okay to put 10-year-old First Nations kids in jail, then there's a problem in this chamber and there's a problem in politics. And do you know what? There is—and I'll name the problem: the Australian Labor Party, the place where progressive thoughts, hopes and principles go to die. That is why the Labor Party responded to the UN's periodic review by rejecting 200 recommendations to reform our human rights record. It is urgent we have a human rights act. But do you know what's probably even more urgent? It's urgent we have a government with principle and ticker that's willing to take on these issues, and unfortunately we don't. We've got this mob. We've got Labor.