Anne Urquhart (Tasmania, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Hansard source

At the request of Senator Wong, I move:

That the Senate—

(a) notes that, during a hearing of the Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade References Committee's inquiry into issues affecting diaspora communities in Australia on 14 October 2020, Senator Abetz demanded that witnesses of Chinese heritage 'unconditionally condemn the Chinese Communist Party dictatorship' in what those targeted have described as 'a jarring experience';

(b) affirms that:

(i) social cohesion in Australian society is the basis of our sovereignty,

(ii) statements and conduct that target Australians based on their cultural background or ethnicity risk driving division and undermining our social cohesion and sovereignty, and

(iii) all Australians have a right to enjoy equal rights and be treated with equal respect regardless of race, colour, creed or origin; and

(c) calls on all senators to ensure their conduct recognises these principles.