Andrew Wilkie (Denison, Independent) Share this | Hansard source

I seek leave to move that the House, in consideration of the urgent need to find a way through the irregular immigration impasse, continue to sit until private member's notice No.1 given for Thursday, 28 June 2012, by the member for Cook, Migration Legislation Amendment (Offshore Processing, Protection and Other Measures) Bill 2012, is called on immediately.

Leave granted.

I move:

That so much of the standing and sessional orders be suspended as would prevent the Member for Denison from moving the following motion forthwith—That the House, in consideration of the urgent need to find a way through the irregular immigration impasse, continue to sit until private Members' notice No. 1 given for Thursday, 28 June 2102, by the member for Cook, Migration Legislation Amendment (Offshore Processing, Protection and Other Measures) Bill 2012, is called on immediately.

Standing orders need to be suspended and we need to continue sitting as an absolute priority of this parliament because this matter is more important than any other business that could possibly be brought before the parliament, even at this silly hour in the morning. I am appalled that this House is set to go into recess tonight for six weeks even though the people smugglers are busy filling their manifests with the names of so many desperate souls. I am appalled that the House is set to go into recess tonight for six weeks even though numerous boats are being readied right now in Indonesia and probably elsewhere for the perilous journey to Australia. I am appalled that during the next six weeks there is the very real likelihood that some of those boats will sink and some of the unfortunate souls aboard will drown.

I am appalled that the defeat of the member for Lyne's bill in the Senate yesterday is seen as being enough done for now by this parliament, even though time is of the essence and every minute saved could be the difference between life and death for some asylum seekers. I am appalled that the boat that might go down while we dither could be as large as SIEVX, the vessel that disappeared in late 2001 with 421 people on board, including 146 children and 142 women.

Yes, I do acknowledge the Prime Minister has today announced a review headed up by Angus Houston, a great Australian whose competency and impartiality are beyond question. But surely that is not enough because we must do everything possible—including Angus Houston's review, but also much more—to stop people attempting the voyage to Australia. In particular, we must look right now for any sort of stopgap measure that would stop or at least deter the people smugglers right now.

I do not agree with offshore processing, whether it be on Nauru or in Malaysia, and I do not agree with the member for Cook's solution. But his bill does provide a mechanism for this parliament to keep talking and the opportunity for this parliament to come at least to some sort of agreement, however unpalatable, which might send a shock wave through the people-smuggler network and at least stop some boats being organised. Even if we can do no more than deter a handful of asylum seekers from boarding a boat or no more than stopping just a boat or two, surely that is something worth striving for.

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