Peter Khalil (Wills, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Hansard source

by leave—I make this statement on behalf of the member for Fowler: 'I believe that a country like Australia, which values genuine democracy and respect for human rights, does share a responsibility to uphold and promote fundamental human rights across the globe, particularly in areas that fall within our influence. Where we see flagrant abuses of human rights occurring, we must be willing to call out such behaviour and take such measures necessary to isolate and dissuade further occurrences. Hence the support for targeted sanctions, as recommended in this report, makes eminent sense. It should be noted that if we adopt these measures, we will be joining with other significant jurisdictions in implementing Magnitsky-style legislation and ensuring an appropriate deterrent is present to address gross violations of human rights and corruption.

I also note that the Human Rights Subcommittee consisted of a very broad spectrum of members but it is significant there was a unanimous position adopted in support of a targeted sanctions regime. I would also like to acknowledge the extraordinary work of the committee chair—the member for Menzies, the honourable Kevin Andrews—and the commitment and participation of all members, which includes me. I also take this opportunity to lend my support for the chair's words about the committee secretariat. I commend the committee secretary, Ms Lynley Ducker, and her team—Ms Sonya Fladun, Ms Emma Knezevic and Ms Tegan Scott—for the professionalism they have shown throughout this inquiry and in meeting the challenges posed by the COVID-19 restrictions.

In the 15 years that I have served in this parliament, this is definitely one of the most significant committee recommendations that I have been associated with, and its adoption by the government would, in my opinion, only enhance the standing of our country as a defender of human rights.'

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