Marise Payne (NSW, Liberal Party, Minister for Foreign Affairs) Share this | Hansard source

I thank Senator Paterson for that supplementary question. Australia's been consistently maintaining that the COVID-19 pandemic should not be used as a pretext for reducing or removing access to either justice or consular assistance for people in detention. Indeed, on 24 March last year, I made a statement expressing particular concern for the health, the safety and the wellbeing of Australians detained overseas in a number of countries during the pandemic. Further, as we said in our contribution to the UN Human Rights Council last June, we have condemned the abuse of emergency measures or the imposition of rule by decree to undermine human rights, to subvert democratic or judicial processes, to contribute to disinformation and to target opponents. I know these issues are of significant concern to the Australian community. I want to thank my colleagues from across this chamber for their ongoing engagement.