Sarah Hanson-Young (SA, Australian Greens) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I move:

That there be laid on the table by the Assistant Minister for Immigration and Border Protection, no later than 3 pm on Thursday, 2 October 2014, the following documents:

(a) all incident reports logged at the Nauru detention centre relating to the misconduct of centre staff for the past 12 months; and

(b) all complaints of sexual assault, exploitation and child abuse made to case workers at the Nauru detention centre in the past 12 months.

Michaelia Cash (WA, Liberal Party, Assistant Minister for Immigration and Border Protection) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I seek leave to make a short statement.

Stephen Parry (President) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Leave is granted for one minute.

Michaelia Cash (WA, Liberal Party, Assistant Minister for Immigration and Border Protection) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

The government will not be supporting this motion. As I advised the Senate in question time yesterday, any complaint regarding inappropriate or criminal behaviour against a service provider staff member is treated with the utmost seriousness and urgency and with appropriate regard for procedural fairness and natural justice. I note that the allegations raised by Senator Hanson-Young with the Minister for Immigration and Border Protection have been referred to the department for comment. The making of an allegation or the referral of such an allegation does not substantiate it. Previous experience has demonstrated this on Christmas Island and other places where claims have later proved to have been fabricated or overstated. The government takes these matters seriously, and Minister Morrison will be making an announcement relating to these and other matters in the near future.

Stephen Parry (President) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

The question is that Notice of Motion No. 463 moved by Senator Hanson-Young be agreed to.