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

Labor will oppose this motion. Australia is a nation built on migration, and Labor recognises the significant benefits that many nations, including Australia, have gained from well-managed migration programs over decades. We understand the strains placed on global migration through the pressures of conflict and disadvantage. These pressures have seen the mass movement of people in the tens of millions across the globe, particularly through irregular means. Australia should play an active role in contributing to solutions to these challenges.

I suggest that Senator Bernardi actually read the compact, which explicitly states:

The Global Compact reaffirms the sovereign right of States to determine their national migration policy and their prerogative to govern migration within their jurisdiction, in conformity with international law.

Ultimately a decision on whether to agree to or become a party to international agreements is a matter for the government of the day. We would expect any such decision, where there would be significant national interest involved, to— (Time expired)