Nick McKim Tasmania, Australian Greens
12:31 pm
I move:
That the Senate agrees that Australia's detention centres on Manus Island and Nauru are not safe and that every person who has sought asylum in Australia, and is currently in Papua New Guinea or Nauru, must be evacuated to Australia immediately.
James McGrath Queensland, Liberal National Party, Assistant Minister to the Prime Minister
12:32 pm
I seek leave to make a short statement.
Gavin Marshall Victoria, Australian Labor Party
Leave is granted for one minute.
James McGrath Queensland, Liberal National Party, Assistant Minister to the Prime Minister
The coalition government will not weaken Australia's strong border protection measures. Offshore processing, turnbacks and temporary protection visas have all been critical to the success of Operation Sovereign Borders. It has now been more than three years since the last successful people-smuggling venture. This motion demonstrates that the Greens have learned nothing from their past mistakes. When Labor and the Greens weakened Australia's borders, at least 1,200 men, women and children lost their lives at sea and 8,000 children were detained. It was a catastrophic moral failing. The coalition government cannot allow this to happen again. Our strong and consistent border protection policies will not change.
Nick McKim Tasmania, Australian Greens
I seek leave to make a short statement.
Gavin Marshall Victoria, Australian Labor Party
Leave is granted for one minute.
Nick McKim Tasmania, Australian Greens
The government should not pretend that it cares about the lives of these people. They have been imprisoned on Manus Island and Nauru for over four years now.
Honourable senators interjecting—
They are dying over there. Their blood is on your hands. It's on the hands of the Labor Party.
James McGrath Queensland, Liberal National Party, Assistant Minister to the Prime Minister
What about those who died at sea?
Gavin Marshall Victoria, Australian Labor Party
Order! Senators have the right to be heard in silence. I ask that you respectfully listen. Senator McKim.
Nick McKim Tasmania, Australian Greens
People are being beaten regularly on Manus Island and Nauru. They are having electricity cut off on Manus Island right now. They are having access to safe drinking water removed from them on Manus Island right now.
Honourable senators interjecting—
People are dying. People are being beaten, and their blood will be on the hands of the Labor Party, the Liberal Party and the National Party in this place unless we immediately close these prisons that Australia has established on Manus Island and Nauru. Evacuate the people there immediately. In the name of humanity and in the name of compassion, bring them here to safety in this country where we can look after them, as we have a moral and legal obligation. (Time expired)
Peter Whish-Wilson Tasmania, Australian Greens
Madam Deputy President, I have a point of order. I would forgive you if you did not hear it. Five times Senator Macdonald called Senator McKim a liar. I ask him to withdraw that.
Gavin Marshall Victoria, Australian Labor Party
There was much disruption in the chamber. I did not hear that, but I would ask if those comments were made, Senator Macdonald—you know the standing orders—that you withdraw them.
Ian Macdonald Queensland, Liberal Party
Deputy President, yes, I did say that five times, but I will withdraw it because I know it is unfortunate and replace it with 'purveyor of mistruths'.
Gavin Marshall Victoria, Australian Labor Party
Senator Macdonald, I asked you to do a straight withdrawal. I would ask that you respect that.
Ian Macdonald Queensland, Liberal Party
I do. I withdraw, but I'll replace it with 'purveyor of the mistruth'.
Honourable senators interjecting—
Nick McKim Tasmania, Australian Greens
As someone who has been subject to a ruling from the President of the Senate in the very recent past that, when you are asked to withdraw—
Honourable senators interjecting—
Gavin Marshall Victoria, Australian Labor Party
Order! Senator McKim, resume your seat, please. I'm not quite sure why you stood.
Nick McKim Tasmania, Australian Greens
The point of order is this: the President himself has very recently, in this Senate, made a ruling that, when the chair asks for a withdrawal, it must be done unconditionally. I would ask you to enforce that ruling on Senator Macdonald.
Gavin Marshall Victoria, Australian Labor Party
Senator McKim, that's not a point of order. Senator Macdonald did withdraw.
Cory Bernardi SA, Australian Conservatives
I was just going to support you in your ruling before you made it.
Gavin Marshall Victoria, Australian Labor Party
That's not necessary, thank you.
Nick McKim Tasmania, Australian Greens
I'll just indicate, as a courtesy to you, that I'll be writing to the President of the Senate about this matter.
Honourable senators interjecting—
Gavin Marshall Victoria, Australian Labor Party
Order! I'm going to put the motion—
Honourable senators interjecting—
Senator Ian Macdonald interjecting—
Senator Macdonald, I have asked politely, without naming senators, for there to be order. I expect that to be respected. It is my intention to put the motion. The question is that general business notice of motion No. 411, in the name of Senator McKim, be agreed to.