Ross Vasta (Bonner, Liberal Party) Share this | Hansard source

I rise to present my report as Deputy Chair of the Standing Committee on Procedure. I would firstly like to thank the chair, the honourable member for Blair, for his leadership and guidance of the committee. I've known the member for member for Blair for over 15 years, and I respect him greatly. I would also like to acknowledge all members of the committee, especially the work of my coalition colleagues, the member for Longman and the member for Flynn. I'd also like to acknowledge the professionalism and courtesy of the secretariat. They have done an incredible job of working with all the members, and I would like to thank them personally for their excellent work.

The Raising the standard report builds on the work and recommendations from the previous committee's report, A window on the House, which is—as you are aware, Speaker—the report that I chaired with you when you were the deputy. The coalition has no issue with the first four recommendations of this report. However, recommendations 5 and 6 are not accepted by the coalition members; therefore, I am presenting a dissenting report.

Recommendation 5 is that the House consider establishing a standing committee on gender equality, diversity and inclusion. The coalition rejects this recommendation, especially pertaining to scrutinising the Public Service from a gender, diversity and inclusion perspective. The coalition also does not agree to scrutinise the potential effects of proposed legislation on gender equality, diversity and inclusion, as it is clearly unworkable and would prevent the efficient passage of legislation through the parliament.

In addition, the coalition notes that all legislation is prepared in accordance with a statement of compatibility with human rights, which considers, amongst other things, protection and discrimination on the grounds of sex. It is noted that members currently have the opportunity to speak to topics of their choosing on several occasions each sitting week. This includes the adjournment debates, members' statements, the grievance debate and private members' motions. It is open to members to discuss matters of gender equality, diversity and inclusion if they wish.

The coalition rejects recommendation 6, which recommends that, during the next major review of the standing orders, the removal of masculine and feminine pronouns from the standing orders be considered. There is already gender-neutral language that naturally exists in the Australian parliament, as noted in the Set the standard report. The member of an electorate, when given the call, is already gender neutral, as well as the use of 'Speaker', 'Deputy Speaker', 'Chair', 'Deputy Chair', 'Minister' or even 'Prime Minister'.

I wish to reiterate that the coalition has no issue with the first four recommendations of this report; however, we believe that recommendations 5 and 6 would not improve the working order of the parliament, and we believe them to be unnecessary.

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