Eric Abetz (Tasmania, Liberal Party) Share this | Hansard source

I thank the Senate. I completely reject the outrageous assertion that has been made that, in any way, shape or form, I engaged in racist conduct. That should be withdrawn under any interpretation of the standing orders. Secondly, the motion asserts that I demanded certain things. The Hansard shows no demand was made. Thirdly, I can indicate that no request for loyalty was made, yet that is once again repeated in the motion. Because they have no feathers to fly with, the two Labor Party operatives who gave evidence to a Senate committee found difficulty in answering a simple, basic question as to whether a country, a dictatorship, that has one million of its citizens in a concentration camp ought be condemned. They have this immediate reaction that to do so is racist. I stand with the oppressed.

Honourable senators interjecting—