Claire Chandler (Tasmania, Liberal Party, Shadow Assistant Minister for Foreign Affairs) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I, and also on behalf of Senator Lambie, move:

That the following matter be referred to the Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade References Committee for inquiry and report by 1 December 2022:

The human rights implications of recent violence in Iran, with particular reference to:

(a) the recent violence against women and girls by Iranian authorities;

(b) opportunities for nations that value human rights to support those being persecuted and oppressed in Iran;

(c) the potential application of sanctions on those responsible for the widespread violence and killing of women, girls and protesters in Iran;

(d) the appropriateness of Iran's ongoing status on the UN Commission on the

Status of Women;

(e) other actions available to the Australian Government and other like-minded nations to respond to human rights abuses in Iran; and

(f) any other related matters.

Raff Ciccone (Victoria, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I seek leave to amend the motion by changing the reporting date from 1 December 2022 to 1 February 2023.

Leave granted.

I move the motion as amended:

That the following matter be referred to the Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade References Committee for inquiry and report by 1 February 2023:

The human rights implications of recent violence in Iran, with particular reference to:

(a) the recent violence against women and girls by Iranian authorities;

(b) opportunities for nations that value human rights to support those being persecuted and oppressed in Iran;

(c) the potential application of sanctions on those responsible for the widespread violence and killing of women, girls and protesters in Iran;

(d) the appropriateness of Iran's ongoing status on the UN Commission on the

Status of Women;

(e) other actions available to the Australian Government and other like-minded nations to respond to human rights abuses in Iran; and

(f) any other related matters.

I also seek leave to make a short statement.

Sue Lines (President) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Leave is granted for one minute.

Raff Ciccone (Victoria, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

The government acknowledges the importance of the issue and believes it is something that deserves consideration by this place. I do want to note my disappointment, though, about how this particular motion has progressed and the lack of consultation, given that consultation was only after the motion was lodged by the Table Office. The amendment I have moved to the motion to change the reporting date would allow proper consideration by the committee of this very important and sensitive matter.

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

I seek leave to make a short statement.

Sue Lines (President) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Leave is granted for one minute.

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

I want to put on the record that the Greens will be supporting the amendment from the Labor Party to the reference. But I also want to put it on the record that we expect a public hearing of the committee this year and we will be working with the committee to have a public hearing this year.

Sue Lines (President) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

The question is that the amendment moved by Senator Ciccone be agreed to.

Question agreed to.

The question now is that the motion moved by Senator Chandler and Senator Lambie, as amended, be agreed to.

Question agreed to.