Lidia Thorpe Victoria, Independent
2:46 pm
My question is to the leader of the Labor Party in the Senate, Minister Wong. This year we have heard the government say that they can't move forward on key issues, including human rights and First Peoples justice, without bipartisan support. They told me this was the reason they could not support my bill implementing the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples. Why does the government need the Liberal Party's permission before you can move forward on important reform when you've got a majority in the House and a progressive crossbench in the Senate that would support good reform? What more does it take?
Penny Wong SA, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Foreign Affairs
2:47 pm
I thank Senator Thorpe and I acknowledge her support for a number of government bills. But I would make a couple of points. One is that we do seem to have seen quite a lot of engagement between the coalition and the Greens, so I'm not sure of the premise of your question.
Penny Wong SA, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Foreign Affairs
No, you asked about majorities. And we've seen a fair example in this sitting fortnight and a majority between your former colleagues and the opposition. So, I would make—
That's true. But I'm making the point—you said we have a progressive majority in this place. I'm not sure that that is always the case.
Secondly, obviously there are a number of things that you've asked about. Can I just go with the anti-discrimination legislation; I think you went to that. Obviously this has been a very divisive debate previously in Australia. The Prime Minister's view was that, given the importance of social cohesion at this time, this is not a time for an ongoing partisan, divisive debate. We saw such a debate and the effects of that on our communities.
Lidia Thorpe Victoria, Independent
On the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, Labor voted it down—
Lidia Thorpe Victoria, Independent
with all their First Nations members. Shame job!
Sue Lines President
Senator Thorpe, you're now debating, and the minister is being relevant to your question. Please continue, Minister Wong.
Penny Wong SA, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Foreign Affairs
The brief I have in relation to UNDRIP—and I will come back to you if this is not correct—is that the government is currently considering the report handed down by the joint standing committee. Obviously, the government remains committed to upholding the values and principles laid out in the declaration, and we understand the importance of empowering Aboriginal communities to participate in decision-making processes. That does improve outcomes. I don't have anything additional in relation to UNDRIP, other than that brief. I would make the broader point that, certainly, in one of the pieces of legislation you referred to, we regard that as important. (Time expired)
Lidia Thorpe Victoria, Independent
2:50 pm
Progressive Labor candidates always say that change is made from within and that if you want Labor to be better you should vote for a Labor member. How can progressive members make change from inside the Labor Party when we see the lengths to which your party goes to silence and exile your own caucus members who hold progressive views?
Penny Wong SA, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Foreign Affairs
I reject the suggestions at the conclusion of that question, Senator Thorpe. The second thing I would say to you is that my parents married when the White Australia policy was still in place.
Sue Lines President
Minister Wong, please resume your seat. Senator Thorpe, do you have a point of order?
Lidia Thorpe Victoria, Independent
Relevance. I don't need to know the history of the minister's upbringing.
Sue Lines President
Senator Thorpe, the minister is being relevant to your question. Minister Wong, please continue.
Penny Wong SA, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Foreign Affairs
Yes. I'm responding to your point about change. My parents married when the White Australia policy was still in place. It was a Labor government which removed the last vestiges of the White Australia policy.
Honourable senators interjecting—
It was a Labor government which introduced the Racial Discrimination Act. It was a Labor government which introduced the Sex Discrimination Act. It was a Labor government which introduced the native title legislation.
Honourable senators interjecting—
Sue Lines President
Minister Wong, please resume your seat. Order across the chamber! Minister, did you wish to continue, or have you finished your contribution?
Penny Wong SA, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Foreign Affairs
My point—
Honourable senators interjecting—
Are we doing the withdrawal or are we finishing the question?
Sue Lines President
Order! I remind senators on my left that this is Senator Thorpe's question. Senator Thorpe is entitled to hear the response.
Sarah Henderson Victoria, Liberal Party, Shadow Minister for Education
Point of order: Senator Ayres just made an unparliamentary remark, which I won't repeat. I would ask him to withdraw it.
Sue Lines President
Senator Ayres, if you made an unparliamentary remark, I'd ask you to withdraw it.
Tim Ayres NSW, Australian Labor Party, Assistant Minister for Trade
I withdraw.
Sue Lines President
Thank you very much. I'm going to ask for silence while Minister Wong continues.
Penny Wong SA, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Foreign Affairs
The history of this country shows what change Labor governments deliver.
Lidia Thorpe Victoria, Independent
2:52 pm
We know public support for the two major parties is collapsing fast. Instead of the tired old Labor Party, is the future of progressive change going to be driven by community, Independents and a bigger crossbench? Tell me how you are going to make change and bring justice to First Nations people with silencing your own First People in your caucus?
Penny Wong SA, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Foreign Affairs
2:53 pm
Again, I think that's a really disappointing thing to say, Senator. I have been in this caucus with members of our First Nations caucus for a number of years and I can say to you that no-one is silent. They are proud, principled advocates for their communities and their people, and I have learnt a lot—
Penny Wong SA, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Foreign Affairs
I have learnt a lot as a leader and as a representative—
Penny Wong SA, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Foreign Affairs
from Senator Dodson, Senator McCarthy and also Senator Stuart—
Penny Wong SA, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Foreign Affairs
as well as from my friendship with Ms Burney.
Sue Lines President
Minister Wong, please resume your seat. Senator Thorpe, I have respectfully called you to order, and I would ask you to listen in silence for the remainder of the minister's response to your question. Minister Wong.
Penny Wong SA, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Foreign Affairs
I don't agree with your proposition, and I'm immensely proud to—
Lidia Thorpe Victoria, Independent
I don't agree with your lies. You're killing our people.
Sue Lines President
Senator Thorpe! I've called you to order. Minister Wong.
Penny Wong SA, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Foreign Affairs
I am both proud and humbled to be in a caucus with our First Nations caucus.