Anthony Chisholm (Queensland, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Hansard source

Labor observes that the Senate has traditionally allowed bills to be introduced no matter what senators think of the subject matter, on the basis that the Senate can then determine what it thinks about it once the terms of the bill are available. For this reason we will not be opposing the introduction of this bill, although we will be opposing the bill.

However, it is surprising that Senator Hanson has elected to proceed with the introduction of this bill today in the light of her comments this morning in response to Senator Wong's motion supporting a racially non-discriminatory immigration policy to the overwhelming national and international benefit of Australia. If Senator Hanson is true to her word when she said, 'I have always advocated for equality, right across the board, for everyone in this country,' she should not be introducing this bill today or ever. Senator Hanson cannot condemn Senator Anning on one hand and seek to advance this bill in the Senate on the other; otherwise, her words are hollow.