Nita Green (Queensland, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I acknowledge the presence of Chanel Contos in the chamber today. I move:

That the following matter be referred to the Legal and Constitutional Affairs References Committee for inquiry and report by 30 June 2023:

Current and proposed sexual consent laws in Australia, with particular reference to:

(a) inconsistencies in consent laws across different jurisdictions;

(b) the operation of consent laws in each jurisdiction;

(c) any benefits of national harmonisation;

(d) how consent laws impact survivor experience of the justice system;

(e) the efficacy of jury directions about consent;

(f) the impact of consent laws on consent education;

(g) the findings of any relevant state or territory law reform commission review or other inquiry; and

(h) any other relevant matters.

Larissa Waters (Queensland, Australian Greens) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I seek leave to make a short statement.

The:

Leave is granted for one minute.

Larissa Waters (Queensland, Australian Greens) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

The Greens strongly support this inquiry, which will complement the work plan to strengthen criminal justice responses to sexual assault which was recently endorsed by the Meeting of Attorneys-General. This is critical work. I too would like to acknowledge and thank Chanel Contos, who's in the back of the chamber right now, and also the work and presence of Saxon Mullins, Bri Lee, Nina Funnell, Grace Tame and so many others who have pushed for strong, clear and harmonised laws on consent and consent education for so long. These courageous women have consistently pushed for laws and consent education to be informed by the lived experience of sexual assault victims-survivors. This inquiry provides an important opportunity to achieve that.

With so many states and territories legislating different types of consent, it is important that we harmonise upwards. I was pleased to see that the Queensland Labor government belatedly committed to an affirmative consent model after two years of missing that opportunity. I hope that all other states will follow suit.

I thank Senator Green for proposing this inquiry.

Question agreed to.