Richard Di Natale (Victoria, Australian Greens) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I ask that general business notice of motion No. 78, standing in my name for today, relating to extrajudicial killings in the Philippines, be taken as a formal motion.

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

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

James McGrath (Queensland, Liberal National Party, Assistant Minister to the Prime Minister) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Yes.

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

There is an objection.

Katy Gallagher (ACT, Australian Labor Party) 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.

Katy Gallagher (ACT, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Labor is deeply concerned at the loss of life and human rights abuse reported in the Philippines and we are closely monitoring the situation. The extrajudicial killings in the Philippines must end and authorities should ensure those accused of crimes are dealt with by the criminal justice system. Labor is committed to promoting awareness and understanding of human rights and supporting the international human rights instruments to which Australia is a signatory. Labor considers access to justice to be integral to the enjoyment of basic human rights and a critical element of a well-functioning democracy. Labor has been a strong advocate for human rights and civil liberties, both in Australia and on the international stage, and we will continue to pursue effective human rights diplomacy that supports international and regional security.

James McGrath (Queensland, Liberal National Party, Assistant Minister to the Prime Minister) 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.

James McGrath (Queensland, Liberal National Party, Assistant Minister to the Prime Minister) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

The government is deeply concerned about reports of human rights violations in the Philippines arising from the administration's campaign against drugs. The foreign minister, Julie Bishop, has urged the Philippines government to ensure the cessation of extrajudicial killings and offer all Filipino citizens their rights according to the country's criminal justice system. Australia is willing to provide practical assistance to help the Philippines government address the drug problem, including through rehabilitation programs. The Greens' motion is counterproductive and will do nothing to end extrajudicial killings.

Richard Di Natale (Victoria, Australian Greens) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I seek leave to make short statement.

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

Leave is granted for one minute.

Richard Di Natale (Victoria, Australian Greens) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Given that what we are witnessing in the Philippines is unprecedented—we have seen now over 3,000 people killed as a result of extrajudicial killings authorised by the President of the Philippines—it is remarkable that a motion that does nothing other than call for the end to these extrajudicial killings would be denied formality by the government. If the government were true to its word in saying that it is calling for an end to these extrajudicial killings through the foreign minister, then why doesn't it support a motion that gives, effectively, force to those words? What we are witnessing in the Philippines, as I said, is unprecedented. These are people who are being killed with no trial—people who have not benefited from a fair trial—and are being killed for doing nothing other than, in the words of the President, potentially using illicit drugs. There are much more effective ways of dealing with this. (Time expired)