Senate debates Motions

Sexual Harassment


Sarah Hanson-Young

Sarah Hanson-Young SA, Australian Greens

3:39 pm

I have an amendment that I wish to make to this motion. Could I seek leave to do that, at the request of the opposition?

Scott Ryan

Scott Ryan President, Special Minister of State

Is leave granted?

Honourable senators interjecting

Sarah Hanson-Young

Sarah Hanson-Young SA, Australian Greens

I tried to circulate it and I was told I had to do it on the floor.

Honourable senators interjecting

Yes, I'll read it out to you.

Scott Ryan

Scott Ryan President, Special Minister of State

Leave is granted to read out the amendment rather than to necessarily move it, Senator Hanson-Young.

Sarah Hanson-Young

Sarah Hanson-Young SA, Australian Greens

Thank you. It's just a change to point (a). I will just read it. It says: 'Calls on broadcasters and independent production companies to outline what steps they have taken, and what steps they will take, to stamp out the insidious culture of enabling sexual harassers, abusers and misogynistic bullies in their industry by not making a stand or holding perpetrators accountable, highlighted by the horrific accounts that have come to light this week.' Then, in point (c), it inserts the words 'independent production companies' and 'calls on all broadcasters and independent production companies to commit to ending the culture of sexual harassment and assault in the workplace. I would like to add Senator Moore's name to the motion, as well.

Scott Ryan

Scott Ryan President, Special Minister of State

Can I just clarify? You referred to paragraph (a), Senator Hanson-Young. Have you removed that? That appeared to be an amendment to paragraph (b).

Sarah Hanson-Young

Sarah Hanson-Young SA, Australian Greens

Sorry. Yes, that's correct.

Scott Ryan

Scott Ryan President, Special Minister of State

So paragraph (a) is removed in motion 615 and paragraph (b) is amended in the terms you just read out.

Sarah Hanson-Young

Sarah Hanson-Young SA, Australian Greens

No, it's because 'the Senate notes' has been formatted in a more correct way, so it's just a preamble. That was originally paragraph (a). It then goes (a), (b), (c), (d), (e).

Scott Ryan

Scott Ryan President, Special Minister of State

So it gets re-numbered from (b) to be paragraph (a) and amended in the terms—

Sarah Hanson-Young

Sarah Hanson-Young SA, Australian Greens

Perfect. Thank you, Mr President.

Scott Ryan

Scott Ryan President, Special Minister of State

Leave was granted to read it out. I will call Senator Bernardi on the matter of the amendment.

Cory Bernardi

Cory Bernardi SA, Australian Conservatives

3:41 pm

It seems a little complicated to just do it on the voices. I would request if, perhaps, we could come back to it after it has been circulated in the chamber so that I could consider it.

Scott Ryan

Scott Ryan President, Special Minister of State

In that case, I will come back to this, given that the alternative would be that leave may not be granted.