Mehreen Faruqi (NSW, Australian Greens) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

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

That the Senate—

(a) notes that:

(i) Australia is a hugely diverse country of First Nations people and migrants from every corner of the world,

(ii) far-right political activity is on the rise in western democracies and, last month, far-right extremists stormed the United States Capitol building in a deadly attack,

(iii) the Deputy Prime Minister, Mr Michael McCormack, drew a false equivalence between the Capitol attack and the 'Black Lives Matter' movement for racial justice,

(iv) late last month, far-right extremists and open neo-Nazis gathered at Gariwerd on Gunditjmara country, in Victoria, in a revolting gathering of extremist hatred, and

(v) the growth of far-right, white supremacist and neo-Nazi movements poses an existential threat to our diverse community; and

(b) condemns far-right extremism and white supremacy.

Jonathon Duniam (Tasmania, Liberal Party, Assistant Minister for Forestry and Fisheries) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

The government would like to split how this question is going to be put, and would seek that subparagraphs (i), (ii), (iv) and (v) of part (a), along with part (b), be put separately to subparagraph (iii) of part (a). In doing so, I seek leave to make a short statement.

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

Leave is granted for one minute.

Jonathon Duniam (Tasmania, Liberal Party, Assistant Minister for Forestry and Fisheries) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

The government strongly condemns all forms of extremism and white supremacy. There is no place in our community for any individual or group who seeks to promote disharmony. Australia is one of the most successful multicultural nations in the world. We're proud to welcome people from all backgrounds, and we give everyone a fair go, regardless of where they come from. It's disappointing that the Greens are seeking to misrepresent the Deputy Prime Minister, who has made it clear that he condemns all forms of violent protests. The government supports the right of any Australian to protest; however, these protests must be peaceful and must be lawful. When protests involve the loss of life or damage to property, this is to be condemned no matter the circumstances. As such, the government requests, as I've already outlined, that the question be split.

Pauline Hanson (Queensland, Pauline Hanson's One Nation Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I seek leave to make a short statement.

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

Leave is granted for one minute.

Pauline Hanson (Queensland, Pauline Hanson's One Nation Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Senator Faruqi's motion describes Australia as being made up of First Nations people and migrants. Senator, I am not a migrant. I was born in Australia. Countless millions of Australians were born in Australia. They're not migrants either. Their parents, grandparents and great-grandparents were born in Australia. They're not migrants. Here is yet another deliberate example of the truth being denied by a Greens member. Senator Faruqi demonstrates how out of touch she and her party are with reality and with real Australia as she attempts to divide our people on racial lines. I'm opposed to all extremism. Senator Faruqi had a great opportunity to receive cross-party support had she simply condemned all extremism, both Left and Right. We will not be supporting the motion.

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

The question is that all parts of this motion other than clause (a)(iii)—

Senator Hanson-Young interjecting—

Order, Senator Hanson-Young! If people are respected when they move and speak to motions, this chambers works a lot more easily.

Senator Hanson-Young interjecting—

You don't need to mutter as I'm making a ruling. The question is that all parts of this motion other than clause (a)(iii) be agreed to.

Question agreed to.

The question is that subparagraph (iii) of part (a) of motion 962 be agreed to.