Sarah Hanson-Young (SA, Australian Greens) Share this | Hansard source

The Australian Greens support this amendment. While it seems quite straightforward to suggest that people should not be breaking the law, the fact is that the government's bill is so broad. We have seen the government today vote down requirements to report child abuse. We have seen the government vote down the ability of watchdogs to access the facility. We have seen the government vote down media access to these facilities. We have seen the government vote down the limits on detention. We know that there is abuse going on inside Nauru. We know that people were illegally beaten to death in Manus Island. Staff members did that. People employed on the taxpayer purse have done those things. People should not be breaking the law when they are employed or subcontracted by the Australian Commonwealth. Of course they should not. But they are, and this amendment simply says very clearly that if you are engaged in these operations offshore you must act within the law of Australia. I think it is a pertinent and important amendment, and the Australia Greens support it wholeheartedly.