Kerrynne Liddle (SA, Liberal Party, Shadow Minister for Child Protection and the Prevention of Family Violence) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

LIDDLE () (): My question is to the Minister representing the Prime Minister, Senator Wong. Yesterday, when speaking on a matter of urgency motion by Senator Nampijinpa Price calling for a royal commission into sexual abuse in Indigenous communities and an audit of Indigenous-specific programs, Senator Ayres said, 'What is the content of this motion and the letter really about? It's really about an angry pursuit of the people who those opposite don't like and who didn't agree with them in the recent referendum.' Minister, do you agree with Senator Ayres that a motion regarding child sexual abuse was about the failed Voice referendum rather than being about vulnerable children?

An opposition senator: Shame.

Penny Wong (SA, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Foreign Affairs) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Well, I'll take the interjection about shame because I think the shame is in trying to use an issue as serious as child abuse for political purposes, as that question does. There was no-one in this chamber—

Sue Lines (President) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Minister Wong, please resume your seat. Senator Scarr?

Paul Scarr (Queensland, Liberal Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

President, impugning the motive of my good friend Senator Liddle—

Sue Lines (President) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Senator Scarr, why are you on your feet?

Paul Scarr (Queensland, Liberal Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I rise on a point of order—impugning the motive of Senator Liddle, accusing her—

Sue Lines (President) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

It's not a point of order. There was no impugning. Minister Wong, please continue. I ask Senators to listen with respect and in silence.

Penny Wong (SA, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Foreign Affairs) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Everyone in this chamber would condemn child abuse. Everyone in this chamber, regardless of political—

An opposition senator interjecting—

That should be withdrawn then I'll respond to the primary.

An opposition senator interjecting—

Sue Lines (President) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Order! Senator Ruston, I'm attempting to deal with a request to withdraw. Senator Wong, I'm sorry, there was so much noise, I'm not quite sure who you are asking me to ask to withdraw.

Penny Wong (SA, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Foreign Affairs) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

It's regrettable that people with senior positions in this place would think that they shouldn't withdraw that. I'll repeat what I said. Everyone in this chamber condemns child abuse. Everyone in this chamber believes that every child has a right to grow up safe and healthy. Whatever our political views, I don't agree with the way in which it has been put to me—the implication that was put in the question. I will again repeat: every decent person across this country would stand against and does stand against child abuse, so to imply there is anything other than that view across this chamber, I think, is wrong and unfair. What I'm saying is that—

Opposition members interjecting—

Sue Lines (President) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Order! Minister Wong, have you finished your contribution?

Penny Wong (SA, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Foreign Affairs) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Obviously, I was not in this chamber. There are somewhat pressing matters, as the chamber would be aware, that anyone in this role would have to be engaging in. But I would say this: I understand the government's position to be that we don't need another royal commission to tell us that concrete action is needed, that we do all share a focus on the immediate issue of keeping women and children safe and of ending violence against women and children. You would be aware our last budget provided substantial funding— (Time expired)

Sue Lines (President) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Senator Liddle, a first supplementary?

Kerrynne Liddle (SA, Liberal Party, Shadow Minister for Child Protection and the Prevention of Family Violence) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Senator Ayres also said the motion was 'all about the politics and not about the solution. It's always about the politics, never about the solution.' Senator Nampijinpa Price clearly wants a find a solution by holding a royal commission into this most serious issue. Do you agree with Senator Ayres that this is about politics and not a solution?

Sue Lines (President) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Before I call the minister, I am going to ask for respectful silence on both sides of the chamber.

Penny Wong (SA, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Foreign Affairs) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I don't think anybody watching this debate over these last months would believe that there hasn't been a lot of politics played. From questions yesterday and questions today, it's quite clear that there are those on the coalition side who wish to make a political point out of the referendum. Senator Cash couldn't help herself yesterday and the day before with digs about the referendum.

Sue Lines (President) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Order!

Penny Wong (SA, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Foreign Affairs) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Fair enough; I understand that she's a politician, and she's going to behave as such.

Sue Lines (President) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Senator Cash!

Penny Wong (SA, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Foreign Affairs) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

But I would say is this: the Prime Minister has made clear that the next steps after this have to be discussed, and not just with one, not just with two and not just with three members of parliament and not just with a party room and not just with this chamber, but with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities across this country. (Time expired)

Sue Lines (President) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Senator Liddle, a further supplementary question?

Kerrynne Liddle (SA, Liberal Party, Shadow Minister for Child Protection and the Prevention of Family Violence) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Senator Ayres also said—

Michaelia Cash (WA, Liberal Party, Shadow Minister for Employment and Workplace Relations) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Oh, it gets worse.

Kerrynne Liddle (SA, Liberal Party, Shadow Minister for Child Protection and the Prevention of Family Violence) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Senator Ayres also said: 'What we as a government will do is listen. We will listen carefully to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities.' Minister, why won't you listen to Senator Nampijinpa Price, an elected Indigenous woman from an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community, and back her call for a royal commission into child sexual abuse in Indigenous communities?

Penny Wong (SA, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Foreign Affairs) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

As that supplementary was being prepared, Senator Cash said, 'It gets worse,' and then the questioner came to be about what Senator Ayres said, which is 'listening'. That says something, doesn't it? What a terrible idea!

Sue Lines (President) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Senator Cash, there is ample opportunity during the sitting week to make whatever comments you want by signing up to an adjournment or some other opportunity. Now is not that time. I'm asking you to listen in respectful silence. Minister, please continue.

Penny Wong (SA, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Foreign Affairs) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

One person on any side of politics does not speak for the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities of this country—whatever side, whether it's Senator McCarthy or Senator Nampijinpa Price. We need to deal with communities respectfully. I would invite those opposite to look at the results in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander polling booths and to see that the reality is that many Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people voted yes. Many people are hurting. (Time expired)