Jordon Steele-John (WA, Australian Greens) Share this | Hansard source

To clarify for the chamber, I am speaking directly to our amendment which would make the implementation of the Hong Kong free trade agreement contingent upon a pause period, which has been requested of this place by pro-democracy activists. You may well roll your head in relation to that point, Senator Gallacher, but it is nonetheless the fact and the truth of the matter that we are being asked to take this pause and that we are being asked to give the pro-democracy protesters the breathing space that they need in order to take the strongest position they can in resolving the human rights crisis which now besets their community.

I return to the point that I was making: we must ask ourselves the question as to whether we are willing to give up an opportunity to show solidarity with such a movement and with such people at a time such as this. To do so would be to simply inconvenience yourselves while people are putting their bodies on the line. We can't bring ourselves to take a pause for a year to show support? It would seem to me to be a very poor way of utilising the power which we are gifted in this place.

As we discuss this particular issue, I'm very aware that there's a little bit of discontent rising in the chamber. I can see a lot of different discussions being had, and I'm sure some people are trying to figure out how best to shut me up before the cut-off for question time. I think that in itself is something that we should reflect upon in all honesty. The truth of the matter is: this may be uncomfortable to hear, but this is your job. Your job is to take these steps in these moments. If you consider yourselves democrats and humanitarians, to vote for these amendments is your moral duty. Upon which other ground would you stake yourselves, when they come, as this amendment does, from the very protesters who are right now leading the democratic movement? Take a moment, pause and reflect. I urge you to support this amendment.