Senate debates Motions
Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment
Penny Wright SA, Australian Greens
3:54 pm
I ask that general business notice of motion No. 782 standing in my name for today, relating to the Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment, be taken as a formal motion.
Stephen Parry President
Is there any objection to this motion being taken as formal?
Claire Moore Queensland, Australian Labor Party, Shadow Minister for Women
Yes.
Penny Wright SA, Australian Greens
I seek leave to make a short statement.
Penny Wright SA, Australian Greens
I am greatly concerned that the government has chosen to deny me a chance to put this important motion to expedite the ratification of OPCAT, the Optional Protocol to the Convention against Torture. This OPCAT was voluntarily signed up to by an Australian government in 2009, and since then both Labor and coalition governments have inexplicably dragged their feet in its ratification. OPCAT would ensure independent monitoring and reporting on places of detention in Australia, all those places where some of the most overlooked marginalised and powerless people are kept detained: prisoners in jails and police lockups, patients in psychiatric facilities, young people in juvenile detention, and asylum seekers. With very recent examples of deaths in custody and cruel and inhumane treatment of people detained, it is very disappointing that I have been prevented from putting this motion today. It is crucial to fully ratify the protocol and set clear time frames to implement. Australia's own good standing is at stake.
Mitch Fifield Victoria, Liberal Party, Assistant Minister for Social Services
3:55 pm
I seek leave to make a short statement.
Mitch Fifield Victoria, Liberal Party, Assistant Minister for Social Services
Just for the sake of accuracy, while the government does not support Senator Wright's motion, it was the opposition that denied formality on this occasion.
Claire Moore Queensland, Australian Labor Party, Shadow Minister for Women
3:56 pm
I seek leave to make a short statement.
Claire Moore Queensland, Australian Labor Party, Shadow Minister for Women
Yes, Senator Wright, we did deny formality to this important motion, because it is our longstanding practice. Where we have an issue such as this which is complex and creates a number of complex situations and also determines significant discussions across all states and territories, we believe it is not appropriate to use the notice of motion process for that, and that is our standard practice.