Lidia Thorpe Victoria, Independent
2:38 pm
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
I thank Senator Thorpe for her question. The answer is: yes.
Lidia Thorpe Victoria, Independent
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
2:39 pm
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
You never get back to me on any other matter.
Sue Lines President
Senator Thorpe, come to order! You're not in a debate with me!
Sue Lines President
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
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
You do not. You're a liar. He's lying; I can prove it.
Don Farrell SA, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Trade and Tourism
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)
Lidia Thorpe Victoria, Independent
2:41 pm
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
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—
Don Farrell SA, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Trade and Tourism
With due respect, Senator Thorpe—
Don Farrell SA, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Trade and Tourism
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)
