Senate debates

Wednesday, 17 June 2020

Motions

Asylum Seekers

4:08 pm

Photo of Nick McKimNick McKim (Tasmania, Australian Greens) Share this | | Hansard source

I wish to inform the chamber that Senators Griff and Keneally will also sponsor the motion. I, and also on behalf of Senator Griff and Senator Keneally, move:

That the Senate—

(a) notes that 14 June to 20 June 2020 is Refugee Week in Australia, and that 20 June 2020 is World Refugee Day;

(b) reaffirms Australia's commitments as a signatory to the Convention Relating to the Status of Refugees;

(c) agrees that:

  (i) refugees and people seeking asylum have made, and will continue to make, significant contributions to Australia's social fabric and economic well-being, and

  (ii) the indefinite detention of refugees, both offshore and onshore, causes trauma and harm to people who have applied for refugee status under the Convention Relating to the Status of Refugees; and

(d) calls on the Federal Government to immediately accept the kind offer from the New Zealand government to provide resettlement to 150 people each year from Australia's offshore detention cohort.

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

I'd like to request that this question be divided into parts (a), (b) and (c)(i), and then, separately, parts (c)(ii) and (d).

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

On the basis of that request, I will put the question. The question is that parts (a), (b) and (c)(i) be agreed to.

Question agreed to.

The question is that parts (c)(ii) and (d) of motion No. 691 be agreed to.