George Brandis (Queensland, Liberal Party, Attorney-General) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

(—) (): I am happy to defer to my friend Senator Williams. I give notice that on the next day of sitting I shall move that the provisions of paragraphs 5 to 8 of standing order 111 not apply to the Human Rights Legislation Amendment Bill 2017, allowing it to be considered during this period of sittings. I also table a statement of reasons justifying the need for this bill to be considered during these sittings and seek leave to have the statement incorporated in the Hansard.

Leave granted.

The statement read as follows—

STATEMENT OF REASONS FOR INTRODUCTION AND PASSAGE IN THE 2017 AUTUMN SITTINGS

Human Rights Legislation Amendment Bill

Purpose of the Bill

The bill will respond to the recommendations of the Parliamentary Joint Committee on Human Rights (PJCHR) contained in the report of its inquiry into freedom of speech in Australia, by reforming section 18C of the Racial Discrimination Act 1975 and amending the complaints-handling processes of the Australian Human Rights Commission (the Commission). The bill also makes minor technical amendments to the Commission's reporting and conciliation requirements, as well as its governance arrangements.

Reasons for Urgency

There has been significant public debate of reform to section 18C for some years, with growing public concern about that section and the complaints-handling procedures of the Commission following several high-profile cases.

The importance of the issue to the Australian community was reflected in the strong public engagement with the PJCHR's inquiry. The PJCHR received approximately 11,460 items (submissions, form letters and other pieces of correspondence) and held nine public hearings in each state and territory.

Demands for reform are widespread and persistent, creating uncertainty for both complainants and respondents to allegations of unlawful discrimination. Introduction and passage of the bill in the 2017 Autumn sitting period would provide certainty for the Australian community.

(Circulated by authority of the Attorney-General)