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

I move:

That the Senate—

(a) affirms that Australia has been built by the hard work, sacrifice and aspiration of people of every race and faith;

(b) assures all Australians they are valued, welcome members of our society, regardless of their race or religion;

(c) rejects any attempt to vilify people on the basis of their religion;

(d) reiterates its solidarity with those who have been vilified because of their faith;

(e) affirms that, if Parliament is to be a safe place for all who work and visit here, there can be no tolerance for hate speech in the course of parliamentarians' public debate;

(f) calls on all senators to engage in debates and commentary respectfully, and to refrain from inflammatory and divisive comments, both inside and outside the chamber, at all times; and

(g) censures Senator Hanson for her inflammatory and divisive comments seeking to vilify Muslim Australians, which do not reflect the opinions of the Australian Senate or the Australian people.

Michaelia Cash (WA, Liberal Party, Shadow Minister for Foreign Affairs) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

On behalf of the coalition, can I be very, very clear—

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

Order! Senator Hanson-Young, come to order. Minister.

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

My procedural error, President. I rise to move that the Senate censure Senator Pauline Hanson for her statement that distressed and offended not only Muslim Australians but Australians across our nation. In the past fortnight public debate in Australia has focused on these comments. Parents across the country have been asked by their children what they meant, whether their classmates believe these comments, whether their country believes them, whether they are safe. Last week a man was arrested, alleged to have been planning to attack the Muslim community and mosques as well as West Australian police and the parliament. These are the real-world consequences of reckless, divisive political stunts that fan the flames of bigotry.

In that public debate there has been much talk of Australian values and what Australia is, and I want to speak about the Australia in which I believe. I believe in an Australia built by people who came here with little more than hope; by convicts; by 10-pound Poms; by those fleeing wars and atrocities such as the holocaust; by people who worked in our factories, on our farms, who opened small businesses, staffed our hospitals, taught in our schools and served in the defence forces; by people who brought with them language, culture, faith, food, and, in doing so, enriched us all; and of course a country built by the people who were here first—First Nations Australians. This is what makes Australia great and we are stronger because of it. We are more prosperous because of it. We are more capable in the world, and we are more able to find common ground with so many of the world's peoples because of it. I believe in an Australia that is proud of having the oldest continuous culture on the planet; an Australia that is proud of our diversity; and an Australia that respects different races, religions and each other's right to live in peace.

I know Australians expect their elected representatives to set the standard for our country and to show respect, basic respect, for all Australians. Nearly a million Australians practice Islam. They are doctors, nurses, tradies, teachers, small-business owners, firefighters, police officers and veterans. They are Imams, community leaders and role models. They are parents and grandparents, brothers and sisters. They are the kids catching the bus home from school every day. And they are the first to condemn the radical extremists who commit terrorist acts in the name of religion. To claim that none of them are good is to say there are no good Australians amongst them. It is to tell a child that no matter how hard they study, how kindly they treat others, how much they love this country, they will never belong. It is to say we have no pride in great Australians like Usman Khawaja or Tina Rahimi or my friend Dr Anne Aly. It is to deny the bravery of Ahmed Al Ahmed. It is not only dangerous; it is not who we are.

Freedom of speech is a cherished part of our democracy but so too is the responsibility that comes with it, especially for people elected to this place. The words of parliamentarians echo into classrooms, workplaces, communities. They help shape how others see each other and how they see themselves. A nation divided against itself is a nation diminished. When we undermine social cohesion, we weaken the foundations of what makes us the best country on earth. And so many Australians are troubled by the response of those in this place, not only from One Nation itself but from coalition senators who contemplate working with them.

There was a time when leaders understood some lines should not be crossed. We now see a different approach, a race to outflank Senator Hanson to the right and a willingness to echo the language and legitimatise politicians who target people of faith. In doing so, they shift the boundaries of what is acceptable and they allow a noisy fringe to define Australian values. What are those values? They are fairness, they are respect, they are a recognition we stand as equal citizens of this great country. This censure motion is about drawing a line and sending a message to the people of faith in this country and to children in this country that your leaders believe that condemning an entire religion is not acceptable.

I am proud of the Australia we have built together. I'm proud to serve with the most diverse parliament in history and I want every Australian child—Muslim, Christian, Jewish, Christian, Hindu, Sikh or of no faith at all—to know and to believe that they belong here, that they too are part of the Australian story. We do not strengthen Australia by narrowing the definition of who counts. So, in defence of the inclusive, confident nation that Australians are so proud of, I commend this motion to the Senate.

Michaelia Cash (WA, Liberal Party, Shadow Minister for Foreign Affairs) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Can I make it very clear, on behalf of the coalition, that we firmly believe that every Australian of every race, of every religion and of every background belongs in this country. This is not something that any senator in this chamber should put into question. Australia is without a doubt one of the most successful multicultural nations in the world. People have come here—as we know from looking around the chamber—from every corner of the world, bringing different traditions and different beliefs, and together we have built a society that is stronger for it. We recognise the contribution that faith communities make to our great country and to our way of life, and that of course includes Muslim Australians. They are a part of the fabric of our community. Like all Australians, regardless of your religion, or even if you do not have a religion, you are entitled to be treated with respect and to live free from vilification on the basis of religion. We will therefore support paragraphs (a) through (f) of the motion.

I am disappointed that the motion is going to be put without amendment, as we were going to move an amendment that does condemn Senator Hanson's comments. I don't think Senator Hanson's comments were appropriate. Why? Because I personally have Muslim friends. My mum's best friend is a Muslim. So I have to say I think that there are good Muslims in Australia, and, as I said, Senator Hanson's comments were wrong. It's as simple as that.

However, in relation to a censure, a formal censure is one of the most serious rebukes available to this chamber, and it should be treated as such. In fact, it was Senator Chisholm who acknowledged on 27 October last year that censures are usually reserved for conduct relating to parliamentary and ministerial responsibility. But Senator Chisholm went a step further. He also cautioned that censures should not become the default response, particularly to social media and public commentary. I also refer back to former Senate leader George Brandis, who, in relation to senators, made a core point. The censure is one of the Senate's most serious institutional sanctions, and it should therefore be rare and sober, not used as a routine tactic to score political points.

As I said, we will support paragraphs (a) through (f) because every Australian, regardless of their race, of their religion or of their background belongs in this country, and it is not something that any senator in this chamber should ever put into question. As I said, it's disappointing the motion is going to be moved without amendment, as we would have moved an amendment to condemn the comments and to reject them. But we will not support paragraph (g), on the premise set out by Senator Chisholm and Senator Brandis.

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

Senator Pauline Hanson is a racist. She has always been a racist, and she will always be a racist.

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

Senator Faruqi, withdraw that comment.

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

President, the Federal Court of this country has found that Senator Hanson has engaged in racist behaviour.

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

Senator Faruqi, there is a standing order which says you do not reflect on a senator. You have reflected. This is not the Federal Court. It's the Australian Senate. I have asked you to withdraw, and I expect you to withdraw.

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

I withdraw. Thirty years ago, in this very parliament, Senator Hanson stood up and said Asian migrants 'have their own culture and religion, form ghettos and do not assimilate'. Almost 10 years ago, she said:

Islam is a disease. We need to vaccinate ourselves against that.

If that's not racism, I don't know what is. She is a grafter who does the bidding of billionaires.

One Nation exists to prey on the anxieties of Australians and redirect concerns about housing, cost of living and inflation towards an invented enemy: migrants and Muslims. I have said many times in this chamber that they are merchants of hate who find it easier to destroy communities than to build them. What she said about Muslims is disgusting, ignorant and politically calculated. It is designed to inflame, but it is not surprising. Hanson and One Nation's brand of racism has been inflicted on us for decades. They light the fire, but, rather than their dousing that flame, it is fanned by both the Liberals and Labor with their own brands of dog whistling, scapegoating and falsely blaming migrants and Muslims for everything under the sun, from traffic congestion and the housing crisis to the horrific Bondi attack.

The media has played a similarly toxic role in vilifying and demonising Muslims. This is what concerns me more. This is what has legitimised and normalised anti-Muslim hate in a way which is no longer fringe. It has become mainstream. The Liberals are so far right and so desperate, now, that they are looking at doing preference deals with One Nation, trying to resuscitate themselves using racism, as their former leader actually fears that it is their last days.

Labor also have their hands dirty. You have built a system that creates tiers of racism—that some communities are more deserving of protection than others. We have heard, loud and clear, that our lives are not treated as equal. If the remarks that Senator Hanson made had been directed at almost any other community in this country, we would have seen all hell break loose, and rightly so. But the Prime Minister can't and won't even call One Nation a racist and hateful party, which they are. What are you scared of? Their leader has been found by the Federal Court to have engaged in racist behaviour. This is a senator who has been found by the Federal Court to have a tendency to make racist, discriminatory, hateful, derogatory and Islamophobic statements. The truth is that the Labor government wants to hedge its bets. Performative motions like this allow you to attend our iftars and whisper in our ears that Labor supports the Muslim community, while, at the same time, you hesitate to offer unequivocal support. You treat us as second class, you harden your stance on immigration, and you refuse to repatriate Australian women and children stuck in camps in Syria, because you are also courting One Nation and its votes and you are trying to appease the Murdoch media.

But we can see right through this. This motion does not even mention Islamophobia. That's how much you care about anti-Muslim hate. What we are seeing here today is the predictable outcome of years of escalating hostility towards Muslims. One Nation thrives in this environment, cultivated by successive Labor and Liberal governments. We remember when Prime Minister Albanese stood beside the antisemitism envoy in a big press conference to announce her, while journalists were not even invited to the Islamophobia envoy launch. That contrast did not go unnoticed. We remember when Labor passed some of the most draconian antirefugee and antimigrant laws in this country's history. We remember when Labor scapegoated international students for the housing crisis that they didn't cause. We remember what went on. You have legitimised all of this, so we won't let you hide behind this cloak of a performative motion when you have been part and parcel of the rising Islamophobia and hate that is in this country now. Let us censure Senator Hanson for her vile words, but let us not pretend that this is enough. There is so much more you need to do, and that includes ending the dog whistling.

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

Thank you, Senator Faruqi. Senator Thorpe?

Lidia Thorpe (Victoria, Independent) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I will be moving an amendment to this motion. It says 'That the Senate calls on this government to commit to implementing the National Anti-Racism Framework in full as a matter of urgency, because tackling racism requires more than words of condemnation—it requires action'. Hanson's words about Muslim people were racist. That is plain to see, and I stand with my Muslim brothers and sisters as always. This constant racism and vilification has to stop. But this censure motion by Labor today is not about taking a real stand against racism. It is nothing but a cynical wedge and a cheap political stunt designed to undermine the coalition's chances in the Farrer by-election. Labor wants to highlight Hanson's racism to—

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

Senator Thorpe, please refer to the senator by her correct title.

Lidia Thorpe (Victoria, Independent) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Senator Hanson's racism to prevent the coalition and One Nation from doing a preference deal in that election, because a preference deal will mean that the coalition is more likely to retain the seat. It is cheap politics, and it is insulting to all of us who experience racism on a daily basis. This motion comes from a party that continuously allows racist language and actions in this place, even through the person in the chair. It doesn't take much to see how gammin Labor's commitment against racism is. If Labor were genuinely concerned about racism, they wouldn't be completely ignoring the National Anti-Racism Framework that they received 15 months ago. Since then, they have not even made a formal response, let alone begun any implementation. They still cannot tell us when it will be implemented, if ever. There is just silence.

The National Anti-Racism Framework was delivered by the Australian Human Rights Commission in November 2024 and provides a clear, evidence based road map to tackle racism and white-supremacist extremism at every level. It is a practical plan, not a feel-good statement. Yet, more than a year later, this government has done nothing. Not a single recommendation has been implemented or even acknowledged. No timeline has been offered. The moment we need action, after a tax on First Peoples and Muslim communities—the Lakemba Mosque threats, the attack on Camp Sovereignty, the Boorloo terrorist bombing and the planned attacks on mosques in WA last week—the government is ignoring the solution sitting on their own shelf. This is not just complete negligence; this is what systemic racism looks like. All this censure motion will do is give Hanson more air time to—

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

Senator Thorpe—

Lidia Thorpe (Victoria, Independent) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Senator Hanson more air time to spout her racism while attention gets steered away from Labor's inaction and back onto One Nation and the coalition. Labor are trying to frame themselves as the good guys here; they aren't. That's why I'm focusing on them today, because what we see from Senator Hanson is part of a problem that this Labor government is creating by failing to take any real action. This government sees racism only as a political opportunity, not as a real threat to real people. They just speak about it when they see something to gain, like they do today. But they take no real action to tackle it.

Today, Muslim people are again being used as political footballs—not respected, not protected. And Labor brand themselves as the champions of racialised communities, but the reality is that they do nothing, and today they are using us as part of their own political strategy. I'll acknowledge that my amendment is a wedge, too, but mine actually points to real, practical policy solutions. It's a sad state of affairs that this do-nothing government can be wedged simply by offering them solutions.

So yes, Labor, here is your wedge: a real, tangible, actionable road map to protect people and tackle racism. You can vote my amendment down—which I know you will, because this censure motion is only about cheap politics; it's not about real action. This vote will show clearly how much you really care about tackling racism in here. With that, and around this country—there are no good racists—

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

Senator Thorpe, the way this motion has been established and moved today, you need leave to put an amendment.

Lidia Thorpe (Victoria, Independent) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Could I seek leave to put my amendment?

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

Leave is not granted, so I'm going to go to—

Lidia Thorpe (Victoria, Independent) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Well, under the standing orders—what are the words? Help me out. Contingent to the standing orders, in my name, I move that so much of the standing orders be suspended until you hear what I've got to say.

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

You can move the suspension, but, because you don't have a contingent order in place, you would need an absolute majority of senators—not a simple majority, as we normally have in this place, but an absolute majority. Do you want to proceed?

Lidia Thorpe (Victoria, Independent) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I need to proceed, absolutely. Do you want me to read out the written version of the seeking of leave?

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

I believe you circulated it.

Lidia Thorpe (Victoria, Independent) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Sit down. It's not your turn.

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

Senator Thorpe, I am running the chamber. Senator Hanson?

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

If she needs an absolute majority, One Nation will not be supporting this.

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

Thank you, Senator Hanson. We'll put it to the vote now. Senator Thorpe has moved a motion. As I explained to the chamber, Senator Thorpe doesn't have a contingent motion in place, so it will need an absolute majority.

Question negatived.

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

I can't believe this. Senator Wong got up this morning and said the notice of motion put before this parliament to with Iran was actually a stunt and a waste of the Senate's time. This is a stunt, what you've done, raising a censure against me. This is reiterated because a first-term Labor senator from Western Australia made clear Labor's intent to wedge the opposition and test its willingness to publicly rebuke One Nation, which has overtaken the coalition or drawn level in many polls. Isn't it interesting? One of your own Labor senators admitted it was a wedge. So, this is a stunt, and the people out there are fed up with this.

Just about all you speakers here are talking about the polls, and all you're worried about is the preferences. Are you going to get preferences? Are you doing preference deals with One Nation? It's a stick in your craw. The fact is, in your gut, you can't stand the fact that One Nation is now at 27 per cent or 28 per cent. You can't stand it. What's happening? We've still got two years to go before the election, but you have to raise these stunts all the time. I agree with most of what Senator Wong said in her speech—I really do—except for one thing: you got it wrong with my comments. You couldn't even get it right. That's what you've portrayed in this place and even what Senator Ruston portrayed by saying in her amendment, 'The Senate condemns and rejects Senator Hanson's inflammatory and divisive comments regarding Muslim Australians.' What did I say? Do you know what I said?

Anne Ruston (SA, Liberal Party, Shadow Minister for Health and Aged Care) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Yes, I do.

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

It's been misreported by the media. You do not even know the full context of what was said. Therefore, you are wrong in what you're saying here.

Honourable senators interjecting—

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

Order!

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

You know what? I can actually get up and make reference to radical Islam, but Labor couldn't even call it out with what happened at Bondi. You could even call out radical Islam that has happened in this country and with the terrorist attacks that have happened not only in Bondi but prior to that. You won't even admit that.

Sarah Hanson-Young (SA, Australian Greens) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

You're a one-trick pony, Pauline.

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

Senator Hanson, please resume your seat. Senator Hanson-Young, not only are you disorderly, you are also more disorderly because you're not even sitting in your correct seat. The debate has been heard in silence. If you don't like what's being said, take the opportunity to leave the chamber. But every senator deserves a right to be heard in silence. Please continue, Senator Hanson.

I reiterate also that the fact is that I had a Muslim candidate of mine who stood for Hornsby in the state election. I didn't have an issue with that, but where was the rebuke from people in this parliament when you had imams on our streets spilling hate out of their mouths and rejoicing over what happened in Israel in October 2023? Where's the rebuke of those people? I didn't hear it from anyone.

What you're doing today about my comments is an absolute stunt. You don't stand up to what is happening in our communities and in our suburbs, and you don't call it out. You're gutless. You're all so gutless because you rely on the votes from these people. You are so un-Australian. The people out there will actually judge One Nation and my comments. Let the people judge me. I'm not going to be judged by you at all.

Senator Hanson, please resume your seat.

Senator Hanson-Young, I've warned you and warned you. If you cannot listen with respect, leave the chamber. Whether you agree or disagree, every senator in this place has the right to be heard in silence.

Lidia Thorpe (Victoria, Independent) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

What about violence in the workplace.

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

Senator Thorpe, resume your seat!

Lidia Thorpe (Victoria, Independent) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

When are you going to deal with that, President?

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

Senator Thorpe, you are out of line. Resume your seat.

Resume your seat! Senator Thorpe, I don't want to have to name you, but I will. You have to sit in silence as well or leave the chamber. Senator Hanson.

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

Do you know what? Are you happy? There you are; I've given myself a slap. This is a joke. You're all a joke. This is ridiculous.

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

Senator Hanson, no. Senator Hanson, I am going to ask you to come back into the chamber and withdraw that remark.

Senator Thorpe, enough! I'll make the point again so that it's clear on the Hansard: I have asked Senator Hanson to come back in and withdraw. Senator Sheldon.

Tony Sheldon (NSW, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I have a great deal of pleasure in standing up here and speaking on this proposition. Regardless of some of the people who are sitting on this side of the chamber, at the back of the chamber, I actually do very strongly hold beliefs about the Muslim community and their right to their voice. I do take great offence to what was said by Senator Hanson.

I would say this to everybody here: start thinking about the effect that this language of division that is coming from both the left and the right has on this country. I have as much right to speak out and speak on behalf of hardworking Australians who happen to be Muslims as I do those who happen to be of any other faith. I don't expect to stand here and be lectured by those who won't give me the opportunity to say what I believe should be said.

I met with the Lebanese Muslim Association just last week. I've met with the community on numerous occasions, as have many of us in here. When we start talking about Muslims in our community, we have to talk about the Lebanese Muslim Association, which has been supporting and feeding communities in Australia for over 60 years. They've run programs like the Youth Transition Support initiative and the Youth Hub, which help young people gain recognised qualifications, build pathways into employment and access structured mentoring and community support. Between July and December last year alone, they supported more than 1,560 people through food bank services. In that same period, they assisted over 300 people with energy and water relief. Through their charity arm Feed the World, they also organised food packs and raised funds for emergency relief in crisis zones around the world. The president, Hafez Alameddine, spoke about the hurt and fear Senator Hanson's comments have caused across the Muslim community.

Let's also talk about Mariam Veiszadeh, a proud Muslim Afghan refugee who became one of Australia's most prominent social advocates. In 2014, she founded the Islamophobia Register Australia, a secure platform for Australians to report incidents of Islamophobia, hate and discrimination. Since then, it has released national research reports that shine a light on hate, document what victims are experiencing and connect those victims with legal advice and mental health support. After her work, she was faced with online abuse from Neo-Nazis, she received death threats that prompted police patrols outside her home and suspicious packages were delivered to her address. Despite that, she didn't take a backward step. I think we can all learn from her words. She said:

Speaking up, standing up, or calling out something is important. Because not only can it help change the course of your own pathway, but it can also pave a way for others that will follow you.

Then there's Imam Ismet Purdic, who, along with his wife, was followed, abused and forced off the road just two months ago in Melbourne. Three strangers hurled racist abuse, threw rubbish at their car, punched him and even threatened his wife. Yet his response wasn't anger or division—a lesson for everyone. He said:

My message for all of us in Australia is just to stay together to help each other to stay safe, and not to allow anyone, doesn't matter … his religion or beliefs, to break this peace, security and all [the] good values we believe in … We must, as Australians, fight against hate, Islamophobia, antisemitism … we must stay together.

And who can forget brave Ahmed Al Ahmed? In the middle of unimaginable chaos in Bondi, when everyone was running for their lives, he ran towards one of the terrorists and tackled the armed attacker, saving countless lives that day. Let's not forget that these are all stories of great Australian Muslims. When Senator Hanson asks, 'How can you tell me there are good Muslims?' it's not just an attack on one community; it's an attack on all Australians. It's clear that Senator Hanson has no solutions for challenges that this country faces. Australia is at its strongest—

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

Thank you, Senator Sheldon. Senator Ruston.

Anne Ruston (SA, Liberal Party, Shadow Minister for Health and Aged Care) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I want to join my colleagues in this chamber in condemning and rejecting the comments made by Senator Hanson, which were inflammatory and divisive, in regard to Muslim Australians. I think most Australians would reject these comments. I had hoped today to have a vote on the very matter of condemning these comments. I proposed an amendment—which was precluded because of the motion that set up this motion—to Senator Wong's motion, stating that the Senate condemns and rejects Senator Hanson's inflammatory and divisive comments regarding Muslim Australians.

However, I want to reinforce, even though I'm unable to move my amendment, that the hateful nature of these comments has no place in this country. Australia is culturally and religiously diverse. The contribution of every single citizen of this country is valued by this nation. It always has been. This nation has always drawn on the strength of this diversity that has made Australia so great. I'm sorry I couldn't move my amendment, but I condemn the comments.

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

Senator Cash indicated earlier that the coalition will vote differently on part (g) of this motion. I intend to put part (a) through to part (f) of Minister Wong's motion. The question is that parts (a) to (f) of the motion as moved by Senator Wong be agreed to.

Question agreed to.

The question is that part (g) of the motion moved by Senator Wong be agreed to.