Claire Chandler (Tasmania, Liberal Party, Shadow Assistant Minister for Foreign Affairs) Share this | Hansard source

Just to put the opposition's position on the Greens amendment on the record, I know that these amendments largely replicate the amendments that were moved by Greens senators during the debate on the Autonomous Sanctions Amendment (Magnitsky-style and Other Thematic Sanctions) Bill 2021, and, as was the case then, the coalition will be opposing these amendments here this evening.

The amendments that have been moved by Senator Steele-John create a requirement for the minister to consider any credible information provided by a civil society organisation that monitors violations or abuses of human rights or has expertise in humanitarian law. This requirement will apply only when a proposed sanction addresses serious violations or serious abuses of human rights or serious violations of international humanitarian law. As I said at the outset, these amendments are nearly identical to those moved by Greens senators in 2021, and, while they don't create further consultation requirements, they do create an obligation on the minister to consider credible information provided by civil society groups. In considering these amendments here in Committee of the Whole this evening, I think it is relevant to reflect on the words of former foreign affairs minister Marise Payne, who said:

We have always considered credible information that is provided to us by civil society and we will continue to do that, including conducting regular consultation. We receive suggestions for sanctions listing from a range of sources. It's absolutely the expectation that that would continue, and I know what a constructive role that non-government organisations have played in the development of this legislation—

relevant to the Magnitsky sanctions debate—

and in these discussions today. Any individual or organisation can make representations to government regarding the potential sanctions targets.

Those were words that were said by former senator Payne in this place in the debate on the Autonomous Sanctions Amendment (Magnitsky-style and Other Thematic Sanctions) Bill back in December 2021.

As I said, the opposition's view on this issue has not changed. We certainly have some sympathy with the intent behind these amendments, but our priority here this evening is ensuring that this bill is passed as expeditiously as possible. So we will be opposing those amendments.