Nick McKim (Tasmania, Australian Greens) Share this | Hansard source

I move:

At the end of the motion, add: "and, in respect of the Religious Discrimination Bill 2021, the Religious Discrimination (Consequential Amendments) Bill 2021 and the Human Rights Legislation Amendment Bill 2021, the provisions of the bills be referred immediately to the Legal and Constitutional Affairs Legislation Committee for inquiry and report by 21 March 2022".

There seems to be general agreement right across the Senate that these bills should have a Senate inquiry. I think everyone has that position. What we are discussing now and what we're asking the Senate to consider is a genuine inquiry. These are complicated pieces of legislation. They will have a significant impact, if they pass, on the lives of a large number of Australians, in particular people living with disabilities in Australia and our LGBTIQ+ community. ut it is not just those folk. A large section of the Australian community and Australian society will have their lives meaningfully impacted by these bills. We should not be making significant changes to the antidiscrimination framework that exists in this country without thoroughly exploring the issues raised by these bills—not a quick and dirty inquiry, as the government is suggesting, but a proper Senate inquiry where these complicated issues can get the airing that they deserve. We believe that a reporting date of 21 March would strike that balance.