Fraser Anning (Queensland, Independent) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

My question is for the Minister representing the Prime Minister, Senator Birmingham. In a liberal democracy, free speech is a fundamental pillar which promotes open public discourse. However, it has been reported that the Prime Minister has said that my views have no place in Australia, let alone the Australian parliament.

Opposition Senators:

Opposition senators interjecting—

Scott Ryan (President) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Order! Stop, Senator Anning. I need to be able to hear the question, so, on my left, cease interjecting. Senator Anning, please continue.

Fraser Anning (Queensland, Independent) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

When I was recently the victim of an attack, the Prime Minister said that I and not my assailant should face the full force of the law. Does the government stand by the comments of the Prime Minister?

Simon Birmingham (SA, Liberal Party, Minister for Trade) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Emphatically, yes. With every right come responsibilities, and with the right to freedom of speech is the responsibility to use it in a way that brings harmony to our society, that brings peace to our society and that is reflective of the broader values of our society. Senator Anning, through you, Mr President, the way in which you have conducted yourself in the time since the massacre occurred in Christchurch—that terrible tragedy that this Senate and the other place came together earlier today to reflect upon, to mourn and to pay respect but also to strongly condemn the actions of a violent madman who undertook that—betrays the rights you have to freedom of speech and shows a lack of responsibility in the way you have conducted yourself. The lack of compassion you have shown demonstrates, frankly, a basic lack of basic humanity. Lives were lost, families were ruined, a community was devastated and, rather than rightly reflecting upon the terrible act that occurred and the loss of life that occurred, you instead acted in a way that was inflammatory, that was divisive and that, indeed, fuels, potentially, further acts of terror and violence. In doing so, Senator, you have shown a reckless disregard for your fellow Australians and many others around the world. In doing so, you have failed the test of character I would expect of anybody who is elected to this place. So, yes, Senator, we all have the right to freedom of speech.

Marise Payne (NSW, Liberal Party, Minister for Foreign Affairs) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

However.

Simon Birmingham (SA, Liberal Party, Minister for Trade) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

However, indeed, we should all exercise that right with the type of responsibility the Australian people expect of anybody elected to this place.

Scott Ryan (President) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Senator Anning, a supplementary question.

Fraser Anning (Queensland, Independent) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

If the government considers that someone striking me with an egg is acceptable but my opinions and defence of myself are not, at what point will such attacks be condemned?

Simon Birmingham (SA, Liberal Party, Minister for Trade) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I condemn, the government condemns and I am sure every one of the 75 other senators in this place condemns any act of violence against any individual. But, Senator Anning, to seek to compare the act that occurred, an act of protest in relation to an egg, with the comments you had made in relation to the loss of life that happened in Christchurch, is an appalling comparison to seek to make.

Of course everybody ought to uphold the law. But everybody in this place ought also to be able to show some leadership. Not only did you fail in terms of showing responsibility and thought around the freedom of speech that you carry as a member of Australian society, and, unfortunately, as a member of this Australian Senate; you also failed, indeed, to understand the relativities of the types of circumstances you were dealing with.

Scott Ryan (President) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Senator Anning, a final supplementary question?

Fraser Anning (Queensland, Independent) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Based on your answer, is it not the case that it is the government's position that politically motivated violence is acceptable in circumstances where the cause is sufficiently worthy—that is to say, where the ends justify the means?

Simon Birmingham (SA, Liberal Party, Minister for Trade) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I refer you to my previous answer. Of course, this chamber will tomorrow deal with your actions through a bipartisan censure motion. I acknowledge and thank those opposite—and I'm sure those from elsewhere in the chamber—for their support that will come in relation to that censure motion. We also trust that the people of Queensland will deal with you as you deserve to be dealt with at the next election.