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

I ask that General Business Notice of Motion No. 459 standing in my name and the name of Senator Faruqi for today, relating to Indian citizenship, be taken as a formal motion.

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

Is there any objection to this motion being taken as formal?

A government senator: Yes.

There is an objection.

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

I seek leave to make a one-minute statement in lieu of moving a suspension.

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

Leave is granted for one minute.

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

Again, it is very disappointing that the government's refused to consider what is an important issue occurring with an important partner of ours. The Greens have been very disturbed by the passing of the Citizenship (Amendment) Act in India in December. For those people who aren't aware, it's a bill that legalised the granting of Indian citizenship based on religion but specifically excluded the Muslim community. This is a hugely concerning development, not only because it's created the legal grounds to strip millions of Muslims of the fundamental right to equal citizenship but because, together with India's National Register of Citizens, it might render many Indian Muslims stateless. Not only that, but the Indian government's also suppressed legitimate protest about these new laws. This is a very concerning development and one that the Australian government should make its voice very clear on. We should speak up so that the world's largest democracy might reverse this discriminatory decision.

Jonathon Duniam (Tasmania, Liberal Party, Assistant Minister for Forestry and Fisheries) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I seek leave to make a short statement.

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

Leave is granted for one minute.

Jonathon Duniam (Tasmania, Liberal Party, Assistant Minister for Forestry and Fisheries) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

In line with longstanding practice, motions that cannot be debated or amended should not deal with complex foreign policy matters. The creation and implementation of domestic laws is an internal matter for sovereign countries. The Australian government values a diverse and inclusive India while acknowledging that it is for individual countries to decide whom they recognise as citizens. We affirm our support for the democratic right to peaceful protest. The Citizenship (Amendment) Act is the subject of vigorous debate in India in which politicians, the media and the public are taking part.