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

My question is for the Minister representing the Attorney-General. Does your government accept that it is a federal responsibility to uphold international agreements that this country ratifies?

Don Farrell (SA, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Trade and Tourism) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I thank Senator Thorpe for her question. The answer is: yes.

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

Senator Thorpe, first supplementary.

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

Well, last week a UN committee highlighted the horrific treatment of children in this country's prisons, which goes against our international commitments. Your government always handballs these matters to states and territories. Given that it's a federal responsibility to uphold international commitments, what are you doing to stop the racist jailing and torture of our children, Minister?

Don Farrell (SA, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Trade and Tourism) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I thank Senator Thorpe for her first supplementary question. This obviously is not an area that I'm directly responsible for, but I shall raise this issue with the Attorney-General and come back—

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

You never get back to me on any other matter.

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

Senator Thorpe, come to order.

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

So don't talk—

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

Senator Thorpe!

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

When it comes to—

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

Senator Thorpe, I've called you to order.

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

He never gets back to me.

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

Senator Thorpe, come to order! You're not in a debate with me!

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

Be honest!

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

Senator Thorpe! I will call that you no longer be heard. Minister, had you finished your answer, or do you wish to continue?

Don Farrell (SA, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Trade and Tourism) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Yes, I will continue. I reject your suggestion that I don't get back to you, Senator Thorpe. On every occasion that you make a request to me, I respond.

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

You do not. You're a liar. He's lying; I can prove it.

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

Senator Thorpe, withdraw that comment.

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

I'll withdraw.

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

Senator Thorpe, you stand and you withdraw.

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

Oh, this colony is so painful.

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

Senator Thorpe!

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

I withdraw, President.

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

Thank you. Minister Farrell, please continue.

Don Farrell (SA, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Trade and Tourism) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I've undertaken to raise the issue with the Attorney-General, but the government continues to be concerned about the number of First Nations adults and juveniles in custody across the country, and this government is committed to reducing First Nations incarceration rates. We're focused on community led solutions that work at the local level. The— (Time expired)

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

Senator Thorpe, second supplementary?

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

Why do we bother signing international agreements if the government is not willing to do anything to implement these commitments? Does your government just like the photo ops and the overseas holidays or just building more children's prisons?

Don Farrell (SA, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Trade and Tourism) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I thank Senator Thorpe for her second supplementary question—none of those, Senator Thorpe. Can I outline some of the things that the Australian government is doing—and, of course, the Attorney-General is very much responsible for this. Firstly, delivering record funding for justice reinvestment, with 69—

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

It's not working—not working.

Don Farrell (SA, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Trade and Tourism) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

With due respect, Senator Thorpe—

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

It's been corrupted.

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

Senator Thorpe!

Don Farrell (SA, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Trade and Tourism) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I listened to you in silence while you asked the question; I just ask for the same respect while I'm answering the question. We've delivered record funding for justice reinvestment, with $69 million to support initiatives nationally. We've invested $3.9 billion through the National Access to Justice Partnership towards vital community legal assistance, including $800 million for the legal assistance sector for frontline legal assistance for First Nations people. (Time expired)

Matthew Canavan (Queensland, Liberal National Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Tough act to follow!