David Pocock (ACT, Independent) Share this | Hansard source

What we are seeing today is Labor doing a deal with the coalition on a migration bill to rush it through and then seeing an almighty backfire. To my knowledge, the crossbenches were not consulted about it. The Greens, the Independents—my parties—were not consulted about the guillotine that has been sprung on us today. These are really important bills that deserve time in committee—to ask questions, to move amendments and explain what they would mean, why they are being moved. They understand.

Last night, during the debate to refer the bill to committee, we heard things like the government didn't even consult with Human Rights Commission, didn't think to check in and say, 'Hey, do you think this is in-line with any of our obligations?' After two hours of questioning from Senator Paterson, Senator Cash, Senator Shoebridge, Senator Ghosh, there was really no more clarity on the urgency of this bill or on who it will actually apply to, why there is the need to hand the minister the power to basically bring anyone in to make regulation at will. I find it pretty offensive when Labor then turns around and points at the crossbenches and accuses us of not caring about community safety, of not caring about a whole range of things.

The community wants scrutiny of these sorts of bills. They want the right balance. They not only want to ensure that, yes, we have orderly borders and that, yes, communities are protected but also to uphold our international human rights obligations, which both the major parties seem to agree to and then disregard when comes to how we treat various people in Australia. This is an opportunity to have a bit more scrutiny, to look at it and to then come back, because it was very unclear last night why this is so urgent. There was no good reason that I heard. So I fully support having an inquiry into this bill.