Deborah O'Neill (NSW, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

My question is to the Minister representing the Minister for Women, Senator Ruston. After SNP leader Nicola Sturgeon suffered a miscarriage, failed UKIP candidate Raheem Kassam tweeted:

Can someone just like... tape Nicola Sturgeon's mouth shut? And her legs, so she can't reproduce.

Yesterday Senator Cormann labelled the comments as:

disgraceful and highly objectionable and completely outrageous that, of course, I entirely abhor, and I'm sure anyone in this Senate chamber abhors.

Does the minister agree with Senator Cormann?

Anne Ruston (SA, Liberal Party, Minister for Families and Social Services) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Yes, I agree with the comments of Senator Cormann.

Scott Ryan (President) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Senator O'Neill, a supplementary question.

Deborah O'Neill (NSW, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Last night in the adjournment debate Senator Stoker defended Raheem Kassam, saying that preventing his speech would be: 'stupid, impractical and harmful for a civil society.' Who is right: Senator Stoker or Senator Cormann?

Government Senators:

Government senators interjecting—

Scott Ryan (President) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

On my right, can I ask for silence during the question so I can hear it.

Anne Ruston (SA, Liberal Party, Minister for Families and Social Services) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

In responding to the senator's question, I continue to support the views of Senator Cormann. However, the way to beat bad ideas, bad arguments and absolutely unacceptable views is through debate, especially with those—

Hon. Senators:

Honourable senators interjecting—

Scott Ryan (President) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Order! Senator Cormann, on a point of order.

Senator Wong interjecting—

Senator Wong, can I please hear Senator Cormann on a point of order?

Mathias Cormann (WA, Liberal Party, Vice-President of the Executive Council) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Obviously interjections are highly disorderly, and, in this case, if the Labor Party wants to show that they're not just trying to be politically opportunistic about this, they should listen to Senator Ruston in respectful silence as the standing orders require.

Honourable senators interjecting—

Scott Ryan (President) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Order! I'll call Senator Wong when there's silence. Senator Wong, on a point of order.

Penny Wong (SA, Australian Labor Party, Leader of the Opposition in the Senate) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I understand Senator Cormann is sensitive about this, because he understands there is a difference between bad ideas and hate speech. This is about vilification.

Scott Ryan (President) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Order, Senator Wong. I grant some leeway to the leaders of parties—the opposition and the government. Technically any point of order calling someone to account for interjections and asking for order in the chamber is probably the one point of order that's always guaranteed to be in order. I ask senators to remember that.

Anne Ruston (SA, Liberal Party, Minister for Families and Social Services) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

As I was part way through saying, the way to defeat bad ideas, bad arguments and, in this case, absolutely unacceptable views is through debate, especially with those that we disagree.

Scott Ryan (President) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Order! Have you concluded your answer, Senator Ruston? Senator Ruston has concluded. A final supplementary question, Senator O'Neill?

Deborah O'Neill (NSW, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Raheem Kassam once disparaged another female leader, the chair of the Conservative Party, Baroness Warsi, saying she was only:

promoted because she was from the densely Muslim populated area of Dewsbury.

Senator Stoker is proud to share the stage with Raheem Kassam. What signal does this send to young women?

Anne Ruston (SA, Liberal Party, Minister for Families and Social Services) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

As I said to the answer to your previous question, the views that have been expressed in the comments that you've made and the comments that have been quoted in this place are absolutely unacceptable. However, the best way for us to confront these absolutely unacceptable views is to call them out, and the way to call them out is to call them out publicly. It is not by limiting conversation.

Hon. Senators:

Honourable senators interjecting—

Scott Ryan (President) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Order! Sorry, Senator Ruston. Please resume your seat. I can't hear the minister. It also means I can't rule on a point of order. If I can't hear it means there are 74 others who probably can't hear it either.

Anne Ruston (SA, Liberal Party, Minister for Families and Social Services) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

As I said, the best way to call out the completely unacceptable views that have been expressed in the questions of those opposite yesterday and today that have been attributed—they're absolutely unacceptable views—is to call them out publicly. And this is not by limiting debate. You need to call them out publicly.

Scott Ryan (President) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Order! Senator Cormann, on a point of order.

Mathias Cormann (WA, Liberal Party, Vice-President of the Executive Council) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Senator Wong continues to be disorderly. It was Senator Wong who campaigned to make Mark Latham Prime Minister, who's also attending that conference.

Honourable senators interjecting—

Scott Ryan (President) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

When I can hear Senator Wong, I will call her. Senator Wong, on a point of order.

Penny Wong (SA, Australian Labor Party, Leader of the Opposition in the Senate) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I was responding to interjections from Senator Stoker. I will always stand against racism, unlike her.

Scott Ryan (President) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I'm going to specifically ask leaders to be particularly strict on the point of orders, to lead by example.