Alex Gallacher (SA, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

My question is to the minister representing the Minister for Immigration and Border Protection, Senator Cash. I refer to the deeply concerning evidence provided to the Senate select committee inquiry which investigated allegations of abuse at the Regional Processing Centre at Nauru. Will the government undertake a full audit and investigation of all allegations of sexual abuse, child abuse and other criminal allegations as recommended by the inquiry?

Michaelia Cash (WA, Liberal Party, Assistant Minister for Immigration and Border Protection) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I thank Senator Gallacher for his question in relation to what is a very serious topic. But I do advise the Senate that the department fully cooperated with the Senate Select Committee throughout its investigations, and it will now take note of the findings. I can confirm that the Australian government remains steadfast in its support of regional processing as an effective deterrent strategy to combat illegal maritime travel and stop the boats. Whilst there are many in this chamber who remain opposed to offshore protection, this government remains steadfastly in support of it. As I said, the department fully cooperated, and we are currently reviewing the findings.

Alex Gallacher (SA, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Mr President, I ask a supplementary question. Will the government introduce transparency measures, including a ministerial report to the Senate, on action taken in response to the criminal allegations at the Nauru processing centre as recommended by the inquiry?

Michaelia Cash (WA, Liberal Party, Assistant Minister for Immigration and Border Protection) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I just want to make it very, very clear that all reported allegations of sexual assault, serious assault et cetera are properly investigated by contracted service providers, reported to the department and referred to the appropriate Nauruan authorities for investigation where appropriate. The fact that you on that side do not like that does not mean that this is not the appropriate process to follow. The report itself also presumes that Australia has effective control of the Nauru Regional Processing Centre and is implicitly responsible for all matters of state in Nauru. It is the position of the Australia government that we do not have effective control of the centre.

Stephen Parry (President) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Pause the clock.

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

Mr President, a point of order on direct relevance to the question asked: I have been listening very carefully to the minister's answer, but the direct question was about a report to the Senate on action taken on the recommendations of the Nauru inquiry. I am just wondering whether the minister is getting to that part.

Stephen Parry (President) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Thank you, Senator Moore. There are only four seconds remaining. Minister, had you concluded your answer?

Senator Kim Carr interjecting—

Senator Ian Macdonald interjecting—

Order! Senator Macdonald and Senator Carr.

Alex Gallacher (SA, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Mr President, I ask a further supplementary question. Will the government introduce legislation requiring the mandatory reporting of any reasonably suspected unlawful sexual conduct, sexual harassment, unreasonable use of force or any other assault perpetrated against asylum seekers by Australian contractors or employees at the RPC in Nauru in line with existing Commonwealth, state and territory provisions, as recommended by the inquiry?

Michaelia Cash (WA, Liberal Party, Assistant Minister for Immigration and Border Protection) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Again, I think it is important to note that this inquiry was politically motivated by Labor and the Greens and those opposed to offshore processing. It is a fact—

Senator Kim Carr interjecting—

Senator Ian Macdonald interjecting—

Stephen Parry (President) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Pause the clock. Order! Everyone will stop shouting. A question has been asked. Let's allow the minister to answer the question.

Michaelia Cash (WA, Liberal Party, Assistant Minister for Immigration and Border Protection) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Those on the other side fail to understand that there has been an inquiry into what occurred and that a report was provided to the government and the department. This, of course, is the Moss review. There were 19 recommendations, all of which were accepted. Since that time, the department has been working closely with the government of Nauru and the contracted service providers to respond to the review's recommendations.

Senator Fierravanti-Wells interjecting—

Senator Hanson-Young interjecting—

Stephen Parry (President) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Order! Senator Fierravanti-Wells; Senator Hanson-Young.