Pauline Hanson (Queensland, Pauline Hanson's One Nation Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I move:

That the Senate—

(a) notes that:

(i) it has been more than 18 months since the Economics References Committee tabled its report entitled Third party certification of food, and

(ii) in a response to question on notice no. 438, asked on 29 March 2017, the Government has:

(A) acknowledged that it understood the importance of the recommendations of the inquiry, and

(B) admitted that it has given serious consideration to the inquiry's recommendations and has committed to responding to these recommendations in due course; and

(b) calls on the Government to finalise its serious considerations and expedite implementation of the important recommendations in the report of the Economics References Committee on the inquiry into Australian food certification schemes and certifiers.

Rachel Siewert (WA, Australian Greens) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I seek leave to move an amendment to Senator Hanson's motion, which would omit paragraph 1 and replace it with: 'rejects the comments made by Senator Hanson yesterday regarding students with autism, suggests Senator Hanson acquaint herself with the principles of inclusion, and calls on Senator Hanson to apologise for her remarks.'

Leave not granted.

Katy Gallagher (ACT, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I seek leave to make a short statement in relation to the original motion.

Sue Lines (WA, Deputy-President) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Leave is granted for one minute.

Katy Gallagher (ACT, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

The opposition believes the government should provide responses to the reports of Senate committee inquiries. Committee inquiries are a critical part of the work of the Senate. Government responses to committee reports are an important part of this process. Since 1978, successive governments have undertaken to respond to committee reports within a specified period, which is currently three months. It is not acceptable for any government to take over 18 months to respond to a Senate committee report. In supporting the important principle of governments providing responses to committee reports, the opposition is not making a judgement on the findings of the inquiry itself. Labor does not support Senator Hanson's view on halal food.

Cory Bernardi (SA, Australian Conservatives) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I seek leave to make a short statement.

Sue Lines (WA, Deputy-President) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Leave is granted for one minute.

Cory Bernardi (SA, Australian Conservatives) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I should remind the Senate that Senator Dastyari chaired this inquiry, which I initiated, and it was unanimously endorsed, as per the recommendations. It is all well and good for the Labor Party to distance themselves from the report now, but it was endorsed by their chairman. The second point I would like to make is that this report and the recommendations arising from it have actually travelled towards the cabinet. It was taken there by some people. In fact, the meat industry themselves were informed that there was a resolution on the books. But, unfortunately, this cabinet has squibbed it—they have squibbed finding a resolution and they have kicked it into the long grass. This is an indictment upon the process, because they are looking for certainty in the meat industry. It is about time they reported on it. It has been far too long, and I think Senator Hanson is quite right to bring it to the attention of this chamber again.

Richard Di Natale (Victoria, Australian Greens) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I seek leave to make a short statement.

The Acting Deputy President:

Leave is granted for one minute.

Richard Di Natale (Victoria, Australian Greens) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

The Greens will not be supporting this motion. I think Senator Hanson and Senator Bernardi should worry less about the eating habits of other Australians and more about the needs of our children in schools. We heard some of the most hateful, outrageous and disgraceful comments towards young children in schools who need additional support. Senator Hanson thinks they should not get that support. We have a situation—

Honourable senators interjecting—

The Acting Deputy President:

Order! Hold the clock. I remind senators that senators have the right to be heard in silence.

Richard Di Natale (Victoria, Australian Greens) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Regarding having children in schools who have special needs, it is not just important that those children are able to attend those schools; it is good for the other kids in the classroom, who learn that if we are in a civilised society where there is difference we should accept and celebrate that difference, because that is what makes us a decent society.

Pauline Hanson (Queensland, Pauline Hanson's One Nation Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I seek leave to make a statement.

The Acting Deputy President:

Leave is granted for one minute.

Pauline Hanson (Queensland, Pauline Hanson's One Nation Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

The motion I have on the table here is to do with certification of our food. I think it is atrocious of the Greens to raise a totally different issue that has nothing to do with the motion that I am moving. They are grandstanding on this issue. Go back and watch the tape of what I said yesterday, and you will understand that I am actually trying to—

Sue Lines (WA, Deputy-President) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Senator Hanson, please resume your seat. Thank you, senators. I remind you that senators have the right to be heard in silence. I ask that silence be observed. Thank you. Senator Hanson, please continue your remarks.

Pauline Hanson (Queensland, Pauline Hanson's One Nation Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Thank you very much—

Honourable senators interjecting—

Sue Lines (WA, Deputy-President) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Senator Hanson, please resume your seat. I just asked for order. I remind senators to respect what the chair is saying and to allow the senator to—

Senator Hanson-Young interjecting—

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

Senator Hanson-Young! I asked that the senator be heard in silence. Thank you. Senator Hanson.

Pauline Hanson (Queensland, Pauline Hanson's One Nation Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I am dealing here with the issue of certification of food and a recommendation that was brought down by the committee. Australians are waiting for this to be implemented.

Glenn Sterle (WA, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

You had a crack at kids with disabilities.

Pauline Hanson (Queensland, Pauline Hanson's One Nation Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I will debate the issue to do with what I said yesterday with regard to autistic kids. I believe they need as much assistance and help as any other child in our education system. So let's deal with the issue—

Glenn Sterle (WA, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

If they've got a wheelchair they're not allowed in the schoolyard.

Pauline Hanson (Queensland, Pauline Hanson's One Nation Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I will debate you at any time with regard to what I said yesterday— (Time expired)

Senator Sterle interjecting—

Sue Lines (WA, Deputy-President) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Order! Senator Sterle!

Nick Xenophon (SA, Nick Xenophon Team) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I seek leave to make a short statement.

Sue Lines (WA, Deputy-President) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Leave is granted for one minute.

Nick Xenophon (SA, Nick Xenophon Team) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Can I indicate on behalf of my colleagues that we support this motion. The unanimous recommendations of the Senate committee were, I believe, uncontroversial. I support halal and, indeed, kosher certification of food. These recommendations were about greater transparency and clarity in certification. We think that the recommendations are uncontroversial and the government should respond accordingly.

Question agreed to.