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

I rise to express objections to the proposed changes to the Racial Discrimination Act, and specifically the weakening of section 18C. Racial discrimination cuts deep and leaves a lasting wound. It is often not one act of abuse or vilification that is most damaging, but constant and prolonged bullying and undermining. Weakening section 18C would make it more difficult for those who are being bullied and abused over time to have their rights protected. And in a country that proudly trumpets its multiculturalism, it is indeed shameful that the government would move to make more people feel less safe.

The proposed changes demonstrate that this government does not respect Australia's international obligations and, in this case, the UN Convention on the elimination of racial discrimination. Moreover, article 19 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights recognises that freedom of expression may need to be restricted to respect the rights and freedoms of others, making Senator Brandis's comments that 'people have the right to be bigots' plain wrong and, many people would argue, quite ridiculous.

The proposed changes also demonstrate the government is out of touch with the community. As a show of support for all those who have been, are being or will be victims of racial discrimination in Australia, students from the Friends' School in my electorate have gathered 8,567 signatures, including 243 from around Denison itself, calling on the government to abandon its changes to 18C. I present those signatures to the House.

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

Can the member advise the chamber whether or not that petition has been approved by the Petitions Committee?

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

This is not in the format suitable for the Petitions Committee, so I ask to just table it in the parliament.

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

The document will be forwarded to the Petitions Committee for its consideration and will be accepted subject to confirmation by the committee that it conforms with standing orders.

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

No, I am tabling a document. Is that okay?

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

Order! The member has been here longer than most in this room; he should know the procedures. The procedures are: if you are presenting a petition that has not been through the Petitions Committee, as many do, you need to seek leave and it probably would have been best to have chatted before.

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

Can put it on the record? I think we are being unfair to the students at the Friends' School.

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

Order! I have just taken advice. The original statement I made to the chamber was in fact correct—that is, if it does has not been through the Petitions Committee, the document will be forwarded to the Petitions Committee for its consideration and will be accepted subject to confirmation by the committee that it conforms with standing orders.

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

This is a document that was created by these children off their own bat. It is not in a format suitable for the Petitions Committee. I thought it would be appropriate if I could just simply table it. I would hope there would be agreement from the government to put it on the public record.

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

I advise the honourable member that leave has not been granted. On that basis, you have no other alternative but to take the instructions of the chair you were just given.

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

I, of course, accept your ruling, Deputy Speaker.

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

If the Petitions Committee deems it to be appropriate, obviously it will go through the appropriate channels. If it does not deem it to be appropriate, you do have a mechanism to come back into this chamber.

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

I ask the government to give me leave for a little more time to finish the statement.

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

I am happy to do that. In the spirit of cooperation, I am happy to give you another 30 seconds.

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

I appreciate that, Deputy Speaker, and members of the government. In addition, the Multicultural Council of Tasmania has gathered 107 signatures calling on the government to retain the current hate speech protections in full so that there is not a rise in cyber racism and racial abuse, a rise many believe will occur if the existing protections are removed. I will be presenting those signatures directly to the Petitions Committee but would draw the House's attention to them now.

Finally, the mooted changes to 18C reflect poorly on the government and on the Prime Minister, who states that he wants to be 'the Prime Minister for Indigenous affairs', because such changes would remove a section that protects vulnerable Indigenous Australians.

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

Order! I would ask the member to wind up his statement.

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

I will very briefly quote a statement from the Tasmanian Aboriginal Centre which says:

These amendments will turn back the clock on the gains made by the Closing the Gap campaign and in the name of reconciliation. In short, racial discrimination will be viewed as acceptable and systemic racism will increase.

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

There is no intention obviously of the chamber to devalue the contribution of those students in your electorate but there are procedures that need to be abided by.