Dean Smith (WA, Liberal Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I, and also on behalf of Senators Bullock, Wright, Day and Bernardi, move:

That the Senate—

(a) notes that:

(i) 15 June 2015 is the 800th anniversary of the sealing of the Magna Carta by King John of England, and

(ii) the enduring legacy of the Magna Carta has been its statement of basic rights and liberties of people under law; and

(b) affirms the Magna Carta's place as a foundation stone of the rule of law in Australia and its constitutional legacy for democratic societies around the world.

Question agreed to.

Penny Wright (SA, Australian Greens) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I seek leave to make a short statement.

Gavin Marshall (Victoria, Deputy-President) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Leave is granted for one minute.

Penny Wright (SA, Australian Greens) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Today on the 800th anniversary of the Magna Carta, it still stands as a powerful symbol for the rule of law and against the arbitrary use of power. Most importantly, the Magna Carta affirmed that no-one was above the law so that all authorities—even despotic kings—were subject to and beneath the law. It also prohibited the arbitrary and illegal detention of people. How alarming it is, then, to have witnessed how often this parliament has passed legislation that undermines these very principles in recent years. On this significant anniversary, we should recommit to defending the tenor of the Magna Carta not only in principle but in practice, as we consider the laws that we make here.