Cory Bernardi (SA, Australian Conservatives) Share this | Hansard source

I am disappointed the notice couldn't be amended. Nonetheless, I would like to point out that the petition that was moved against Dr Pansy Lai was inherently against the freedom that this place is upholding, which is the right of people to express a view which may be contrary to other views without vilification, without victimisation, without the sort of racist abuse that is so characteristic of those of the Left of the political spectrum. In fact, those who preach tolerance the loudest and demand tolerance the loudest are often the singularly most intolerant individuals, and we have seen that in this debate. Dr Pansy Lai has been victimised, she has been vilified and she has been bullied, most inappropriately. There is a counter-petition going on which has more signatures than the original one with its racist vilification of Dr Pansy Lai. I move:

That the Senate—

(a) notes the attempts by GetUp! and like-minded organisations to pursue the medical deregistration of Dr Pansy Lai for exercising her right to free speech concerning the marriage survey;

(b) condemns those organisations and individuals for attacking freedom of conscience and speech; and

(c) supports Dr Lai exercising her freedom of conscience and speech in participating in the public debate about the Federal Government's marriage survey.