Eric Abetz (Tasmania, Liberal Party, Minister for Employment) Share this | Hansard source

Sorry—they were motivated! You are right, Senator O'Neill! I understand they were motivated and had discussions with Labor ministers, and it was decided it would not be a good idea because it might be a little bit controversial. If a human rights commission wants the reputation it is quite entitled to have, it needs to behave in a manner that is beyond question, that is seen as being impartial. That is where there have been some concerns expressed in the community.

On the issue of children in detention, I ask: with Labor's failed policies, in addition to the nearly 2,000 children being put into detention, how many children lost their lives at sea? What was the Human Rights Commission's response? 'Nothing to see here. Just move along.' Where do the Human Rights Commission see injustices? They claimed, for example, that there are armed guards patrolling the detention centre on Christmas Island. How could you make up such an allegation, an allegation that was found to be completely and utterly false?