Jacinta Collins (Victoria, Australian Labor Party, Shadow Cabinet Secretary) Share this | Hansard source

Thank you, Chair. I am happy to move as you suggested, but I understood that, when encouraged to deal with 7601 and 7605, I said I sought to just proceed with 7605.

The TEMPORARY CHAIRMAN (10:54): That is fine.

I have moved it, but I am happy to do so again if it clears that up. As I think I said previously, I was prepared to defer consideration of this, but the senators in the chamber have indicated their positions. The government has too. I am quite disappointed that, given the consultation and effort that has been put into settling this matter, the government has indicated that it will oppose these amendments. Although senators on the crossbench may not have been party to those discussions, into which some considerable effort has been put overnight, to try to reach an acceptable understanding, I would encourage them to understand that these amendments represent a move from Labor's first approach to address this very important issue, as was highlighted by Senator Dastyari. The Australian community's concern is that we get this balance and this provision right, since it is important to our multiculturalism, to our nation and to protecting Australians, whatever their race or creed. I encourage senators on the crossbench, even reflecting on the reservations that Senator Brandis may have made, to err on the side of caution and to support these amendments on that basis.

The TEMPORARY CHAIRMAN (10:55): I invite you to move the amendments, Senator Collins.

I thought I had moved them twice now.

The TEMPORARY CHAIRMAN (10:55): No. The first time, Senator Collins, you put it to the Senate about deferring the amendment and you never actually moved it, that I recall.

I do so move.

The CHAIRMAN: The question is that opposition amendment (1) on sheet 7605 be agreed to.