Senate debates

Thursday, 17 October 2019

Petitions

Religious Freedom

11:55 am

Photo of Concetta Fierravanti-WellsConcetta Fierravanti-Wells (NSW, Liberal Party) Share this | | Hansard source

I seek leave to make a short statement.

Photo of Stirling GriffStirling Griff (SA, Centre Alliance) Share this | | Hansard source

Leave is granted for one minute.

Photo of Concetta Fierravanti-WellsConcetta Fierravanti-Wells (NSW, Liberal Party) Share this | | Hansard source

On 2 July I launched a petition calling for a religious freedom act to protect freedom of speech, thought, conscience and religion. I would like to take this opportunity to thank the thousands of people who, through emails, calls and lots of original petitions in the mail, have responded and supported my initiative. On this, the anniversary of the canonisation of Australia's first saint, Mary MacKillop, I lodge 10,000 signatures as the first tranche of my petition. I encourage all Australians to continue to disseminate and return the petitions to my electorate office in Wollongong. In coming weeks, I will present and table the many thousands more petitions that my office continues to receive and process on behalf of Australians.

Photo of Scott RyanScott Ryan (President) Share this | | Hansard source

Is anyone else presenting a petition? I was told there might be a second petition. We can come back to it by leave, if necessary.

Photo of Rachel SiewertRachel Siewert (WA, Australian Greens) Share this | | Hansard source

There is one, but it's a non-conforming petition. We can come back to it later.

Photo of Scott RyanScott Ryan (President) Share this | | Hansard source

We'll come back it later, by leave of the Senate.