Senate debates

Wednesday, 26 February 2020

Documents

National Security

3:55 pm

Photo of Mehreen FaruqiMehreen Faruqi (NSW, Australian Greens) Share this | | Hansard source

I'd like to inform the Senate that Senator Keneally will sponsor this motion as well. I, and also on behalf of Senators Di Natale and Keneally, move:

That the Senate—

(a) notes:

  (i) that 15 March 2020 will mark one year since the Christchurch massacre, when a racist, hate-filled and violent white supremacist man from Australia killed 51 Muslims during Friday prayers at Al Noor Mosque and Linwood Islamic Centre in Christchurch, New Zealand,

  (ii) that the anniversary of Christchurch is a painful reminder to Muslims in Australia, New Zealand and across the world that anti-Muslim racism and white supremacy has fatal consequences,

  (iii) the recent concerns of ASIO Director-General, Mr Mike Burgess, regarding far-right extremism in Australia, that:

(A) the extreme right-wing threat is real and growing,

(B) Neo-Nazi groups regularly meet to salute Nazi flags, inspect weapons, train in combat and share their hateful ideology, and

(C) extremists are seeking to connect with like-minded individuals in other parts of the world; and

(b) expresses solidarity with the families, friends and communities of the victims of the Christchurch terrorist attack at this difficult time;

(c) expresses a deep commitment to calling out and stamping out extreme right-wing ideologies, white supremacy and anti-Muslim racism; and

(d) urgently calls on the Federal Government to:

  (i) dedicate adequate resources to targeting right-wing extremism, and

  (ii) work to stop the spread of hate speech and far-right movements.

Photo of Jonathon DuniamJonathon Duniam (Tasmania, Liberal Party, Assistant Minister for Forestry and Fisheries) Share this | | Hansard source

I seek leave to make a short statement.

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

Leave is granted for one minute.

Photo of Jonathon DuniamJonathon Duniam (Tasmania, Liberal Party, Assistant Minister for Forestry and Fisheries) Share this | | Hansard source

The Morrison government is absolutely committed to protecting our nation from all threats. Our agencies are working hard to tackle threats from all sources, including threats posed by extremists, whatever their ideological background. Our laws, law enforcement and national security arrangements do not discriminate between types of extremism. They are ideologically agnostic and focus on the threat and criminality. The coalition has increased funding to our law enforcement and security agencies charged with protecting Australians from terrorism. Funding for these agencies is at record levels.

3:56 pm

Photo of Pauline HansonPauline Hanson (Queensland, Pauline Hanson's One Nation Party) Share this | | Hansard source

I seek leave to make a short statement.

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

Leave is granted for one minute.

Photo of Pauline HansonPauline Hanson (Queensland, Pauline Hanson's One Nation Party) Share this | | Hansard source

One Nation will not support this Greens motion that singles out right-wing extremism. As identified by Mike Burgess, Director-General of ASIO, there are four clear threats running at unprecedented levels throughout Australia. They include Islamic terrorism, right-wing terrorism, foreign espionage, and foreign interference in politics and society. Terrorism motivated by extreme views should be stamped out regardless of race or religion. The majority of ASIO's work at this moment is dedicated to Sunni Islam, but any group or individual that shows signs of extreme behaviour should be targeted by ASIO and the Federal Police. At last estimates, there were approximately 200 ongoing investigations into potentially acts of extremism. In terms of dangerous and extreme political parties, the Greens take the cake. One Nation will oppose this highly politicised motion by the Greens.

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

The question is that notice of motion No. 497 be agreed to.