Katy Gallagher (ACT, Australian Labor Party, Minister for the Public Service) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

At the request of Senators Green, Shoebridge, David Pocock and Scarr, I move:

That the Senate—

(a) notes with deep concern the recent escalation of violence in Sudan's Darfur region, including reports of large-scale atrocities, including mass killings, starvation, rapes and other violent crimes;

(b) acknowledges the profound grief and anguish felt by the Sudanese-Australian community, some of whom have lost family members to the violence and fear for the safety of loved ones still missing or detained;

(c) expresses solidarity with all members of the Sudanese-Australian community during this time of fear, mourning and helplessness; and

(d) expresses its sincere hope that international partners work urgently and cooperatively to secure humanitarian access, safe passage for civilians and a sustainable peace for Sudan.

David Pocock (ACT, Independent) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I seek leave to make a short one-minute statement.

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

Leave is granted for one minute.

David Pocock (ACT, Independent) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I would like to acknowledge Amad Mohamed—a proud Canberra and co-founder of the Sudanese-Australian Advocacy Network—along with other members of the Sudanese community in the gallery today. I thank you for your tireless advocacy and for continuing to speak out on this humanitarian tragedy. We stand with you in this time of tragedy for your community. I also wish to thank senators across this chamber for their constructive engagement, particularly Senators Scarr, Shoebridge and Green. I would really like to extend my sincere thanks and acknowledge the government and Minister Wong's office for their efforts, and I commend the announcement overnight of Australia's $10 million in humanitarian assistance for the people of Sudan.

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

by leave—I move an amendment that has been circulated in the chamber:

That the Senate—

(a) notes with deep concern the recent escalation of violence in Sudan's Darfur region, including reports of large-scale atrocities, including mass killings, starvation, rapes and other violent crimes;

(b) acknowledges the profound grief and anguish felt by the Sudanese-Australian community, some of whom have lost family members to the violence and fear for the safety of loved ones still missing or detained;

(c) expresses solidarity with all members of the Sudanese-Australian community during this time of fear, mourning and helplessness;

(d) expresses its sincere hope that international partners work urgently and cooperatively to secure humanitarian access, safe passage for civilians and a sustainable peace for Sudan; and

(e) condemns the escalating terror campaign against Christians in Nigeria by Islamic terror organisations Boko Haram, Islamic State of West Africa Province and Fulani Militants which has resulted in more than 20,000 deaths of innocent civilians for their religious beliefs.

Paul Scarr (Queensland, Liberal Party, Shadow Minister for Immigration) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I seek leave to make a short statement.

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

Leave is granted for one minute.

Paul Scarr (Queensland, Liberal Party, Shadow Minister for Immigration) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I would also like to acknowledge the importance of this motion in terms of our wonderful Sudanese Australian community. What is happening in Sudan is a human catastrophe. Millions and millions of people have been displaced. Famine is having a devastating effect across Sudan, and the images we saw coming out of Sudan last week were absolutely horrifying. This is an issue which should be on the international agenda, and it is fit and proper that this parliament, this Senate, stands in solidarity with our wonderful Sudanese Australian community at this time of great pain. I was very, very pleased to have the opportunity to co-sponsor this motion.

Katy Gallagher (ACT, Australian Labor Party, Minister for the Public Service) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

by leave—I want to say that we won't be supporting Senator Roberts' amendment. We had tried to reach agreement but have been unable to reach agreement. I would like to acknowledge the ACT Sudanese community leaders here today in the chamber—welcome to your parliament—and also place on the record the government's concern and our preparedness to provide assistance to support civilians in Sudan, where the world's largest humanitarian and displacement crisis is taking place, with more than 30 million people in need of urgent support due to ongoing the conflict. This includes approximately 11 million people who are internally displaced and another three million people who have fled to neighbouring countries. Australia's assistance, including the amount that was announced overnight of $10 million, will be directed through the United Nations and NGO partners. It will provide food, clean water and shelter and support to victims-survivors of gender based violence.

David Shoebridge (NSW, Australian Greens) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I seek leave to make a very brief contribution.

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

Leave is granted for one minute.

David Shoebridge (NSW, Australian Greens) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I want to note on behalf of my party, the Greens, that we're grateful to see the whole chamber coming together to support this consensus motion. We've all been so horrified by what we've seen happening in Sudan and el-Fasher, and I want to speak to the Sudanese community not just in the ACT but across the country. I met with representatives in Melbourne on the weekend. There is fear and anxiety in families being out of contact and not knowing what is happening. There's escalating violence. To be clear, this is not a conflict driven by the Sudanese people themselves. This is a proxy war driven by countries who seek to increase their wealth, increase their access to Sudanese resources, and the Sudanese people are paying the price of that. Our hearts and our minds and hopefully the actions of this government go out to the Sudanese people right now. We don't support the amendment because it simplifies a far more complex conflict. (Time expired)

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

The question is that the amendment as moved by Senator Roberts be agreed to.

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

I will now put the motion as moved by Senator Gallagher, standing in the name of Senator Green.

Question agreed to.