David Shoebridge (NSW, Australian Greens) Share this | Hansard source

Yes, this would provide additional legal protections for prisoners, and I've cited two high-profile cases where most of the public would think that is right. It's disappointing to see Labor joining with the coalition here to not provide those additional protections. But of all the reasons given to oppose this amendment, which articulates six specific matters that need to be considered—six additional, non-exhaustive matters that need to be considered—perhaps the most specious is that of the government: that it doesn't include the question of enforcement.

For the government's benefit, I'll read from the first line of the amendments: 'Without limiting the matters that the Attorney-General may consider'. It's a non-exhaustive list and would in no way prevent the Attorney-General from considering enforcement. It may be a debating point in the Senate—some specious debating point in the Senate—but it has absolutely no merit as a reason for opposing this articulated list of six considerations that has the support of the Law Council. I commend the amendments to the house.