Sarah Hanson-Young (SA, Australian Greens) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I ask that general business notice of motion No. 281 standing in my name for today relating to a moratorium on deporting Iraqi asylum seekers back to Iraq be taken as formal.

Stephen Parry (Tasmania, Liberal Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Is there any objection to this motion being taken as follow?

Mitch Fifield (Victoria, Liberal Party, Assistant Minister for Social Services) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Yes.

Stephen Parry (Tasmania, Liberal Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Formality has been denied, Senator Hanson-Young.

Sarah Hanson-Young (SA, Australian Greens) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I seek leave to make a short statement.

Stephen Parry (Tasmania, Liberal Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Leave is granted for one minute.

Sarah Hanson-Young (SA, Australian Greens) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I find it extremely disappointing to hear, of all people, the Labor Party denying leave to have this issue dealt with in the Senate today. This is a matter of such urgency. There is unrest, horror and war unfolding before our eyes in Iraq and the government continues to remove Iraqi asylum seekers as recently as this week. Today I was given the flight details of an asylum seeker who was returned to Iraq last Sunday. He was forcibly removed by this government. That is why this issue is so urgent. There should be a moratorium on their return so that nobody else has to die. (Time expired)

Mitch Fifield (Victoria, Liberal Party, Assistant Minister for Social Services) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I seek leave to make a short statement.

Stephen Parry (Tasmania, Liberal Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Leave is granted for one minute.

Mitch Fifield (Victoria, Liberal Party, Assistant Minister for Social Services) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

A fundamental part of Australia's immigration system is that people found not to engage Australia's protection obligations and/or who have no lawful basis to remain in Australia are expected to depart. If someone is considering returning home, it is important to remember the decision to return is theirs. It is not always an easy decision to make. The government is continuing to monitor what is a dynamic and evolving situation in Iraq to take into account any emerging risks. Refugee status determination decisions, whether in Australia, or by the Papua New Guinea or Nauruan governments, are made using the most recent country information available.

Claire Moore (Queensland, Australian Labor Party, Shadow Minister for Women) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Mr Deputy President, I seek leave to make a short statement.

Stephen Parry (Tasmania, Liberal Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Leave is granted for one minute.

Claire Moore (Queensland, Australian Labor Party, Shadow Minister for Women) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Labor objects to this particular motion being taken as formal. As stated by Senator Wong previously, we do not believe that a complex matter such as this should be dealt with in a summary fashion in this chamber. The matter is an outstanding example of one that senators should be afforded an opportunity to consider with more than one day's notice. That is Labor's longstanding position.

The humanitarian crisis unfolding in Iraq is of grave concern, and we share that concern—that is not owned by any particular senator in this place. It will have flow on effects across the world.

We have a strong and proud history of compassion in circumstances where events in home countries make it difficult to return—for instance, the Tiananmen Square massacre, and issues in Bosnia and East Timor. Most recently, Labor's shadow minister for foreign affairs, Tanya Plibersek, made representations to the government regarding the unfolding situation in Ukraine.

We have been assured that the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade has confirmed that there are NGOs operating in Iraq who are in a position to effectively deliver Australian-funded humanitarian assistance.

Stephen Parry (Tasmania, Liberal Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Thank you, Senator Moore. That concludes formal business.