Lidia Thorpe (Victoria, Independent) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

My question is to the leader of the Labor Party in the Senate, Minister Wong. This year we have heard the government say that they can't move forward on key issues, including human rights and First Peoples justice, without bipartisan support. They told me this was the reason they could not support my bill implementing the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples. Why does the government need the Liberal Party's permission before you can move forward on important reform when you've got a majority in the House and a progressive crossbench in the Senate that would support good reform? What more does it take?

Penny Wong (SA, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Foreign Affairs) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I thank Senator Thorpe and I acknowledge her support for a number of government bills. But I would make a couple of points. One is that we do seem to have seen quite a lot of engagement between the coalition and the Greens, so I'm not sure of the premise of your question.

Lidia Thorpe (Victoria, Independent) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I'm not Greens.

Penny Wong (SA, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Foreign Affairs) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

No, you asked about majorities. And we've seen a fair example in this sitting fortnight and a majority between your former colleagues and the opposition. So, I would make—

That's true. But I'm making the point—you said we have a progressive majority in this place. I'm not sure that that is always the case.

Secondly, obviously there are a number of things that you've asked about. Can I just go with the anti-discrimination legislation; I think you went to that. Obviously this has been a very divisive debate previously in Australia. The Prime Minister's view was that, given the importance of social cohesion at this time, this is not a time for an ongoing partisan, divisive debate. We saw such a debate and the effects of that on our communities.

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

Senator Thorpe?

Lidia Thorpe (Victoria, Independent) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

On the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, Labor voted it down—

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

Senator Thorpe!

Lidia Thorpe (Victoria, Independent) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

with all their First Nations members. Shame job!

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

Senator Thorpe, you're now debating, and the minister is being relevant to your question. Please continue, Minister Wong.

Penny Wong (SA, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Foreign Affairs) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

The brief I have in relation to UNDRIP—and I will come back to you if this is not correct—is that the government is currently considering the report handed down by the joint standing committee. Obviously, the government remains committed to upholding the values and principles laid out in the declaration, and we understand the importance of empowering Aboriginal communities to participate in decision-making processes. That does improve outcomes. I don't have anything additional in relation to UNDRIP, other than that brief. I would make the broader point that, certainly, in one of the pieces of legislation you referred to, we regard that as important. (Time expired)

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

Senator Thorpe, first supplementary?

Lidia Thorpe (Victoria, Independent) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Progressive Labor candidates always say that change is made from within and that if you want Labor to be better you should vote for a Labor member. How can progressive members make change from inside the Labor Party when we see the lengths to which your party goes to silence and exile your own caucus members who hold progressive views?

Penny Wong (SA, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Foreign Affairs) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I reject the suggestions at the conclusion of that question, Senator Thorpe. The second thing I would say to you is that my parents married when the White Australia policy was still in place.

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

Minister Wong, please resume your seat. Senator Thorpe, do you have a point of order?

Lidia Thorpe (Victoria, Independent) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Relevance. I don't need to know the history of the minister's upbringing.

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

Senator Thorpe, the minister is being relevant to your question. Minister Wong, please continue.

Penny Wong (SA, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Foreign Affairs) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Yes. I'm responding to your point about change. My parents married when the White Australia policy was still in place. It was a Labor government which removed the last vestiges of the White Australia policy.

Honourable senators interjecting—

It was a Labor government which introduced the Racial Discrimination Act. It was a Labor government which introduced the Sex Discrimination Act. It was a Labor government which introduced the native title legislation.

Honourable senators interjecting—

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

Minister Wong, please resume your seat. Order across the chamber! Minister, did you wish to continue, or have you finished your contribution?

Penny Wong (SA, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Foreign Affairs) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

My point—

Honourable senators interjecting—

Are we doing the withdrawal or are we finishing the question?

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

Order! I remind senators on my left that this is Senator Thorpe's question. Senator Thorpe is entitled to hear the response.

Sarah Henderson (Victoria, Liberal Party, Shadow Minister for Education) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Point of order: Senator Ayres just made an unparliamentary remark, which I won't repeat. I would ask him to withdraw it.

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

Senator Ayres, if you made an unparliamentary remark, I'd ask you to withdraw it.

Tim Ayres (NSW, Australian Labor Party, Assistant Minister for Trade) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I withdraw.

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

Thank you very much. I'm going to ask for silence while Minister Wong continues.

Penny Wong (SA, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Foreign Affairs) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

The history of this country shows what change Labor governments deliver.

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

Senator Thorpe, second supplementary?

Lidia Thorpe (Victoria, Independent) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

We know public support for the two major parties is collapsing fast. Instead of the tired old Labor Party, is the future of progressive change going to be driven by community, Independents and a bigger crossbench? Tell me how you are going to make change and bring justice to First Nations people with silencing your own First People in your caucus?

Penny Wong (SA, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Foreign Affairs) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Again, I think that's a really disappointing thing to say, Senator. I have been in this caucus with members of our First Nations caucus for a number of years and I can say to you that no-one is silent. They are proud, principled advocates for their communities and their people, and I have learnt a lot—

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

Thank you, Senator Thorpe.

Penny Wong (SA, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Foreign Affairs) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I have learnt a lot as a leader and as a representative—

Lidia Thorpe (Victoria, Independent) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Stealing children!

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

Senator Thorpe!

Penny Wong (SA, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Foreign Affairs) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

from Senator Dodson, Senator McCarthy and also Senator Stuart—

Lidia Thorpe (Victoria, Independent) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Highest rate under your watch!

Penny Wong (SA, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Foreign Affairs) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

as well as from my friendship with Ms Burney.

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

Minister Wong, please resume your seat. Senator Thorpe, I have respectfully called you to order, and I would ask you to listen in silence for the remainder of the minister's response to your question. Minister Wong.

Penny Wong (SA, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Foreign Affairs) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I don't agree with your proposition, and I'm immensely proud to—

Lidia Thorpe (Victoria, Independent) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I don't agree with your lies. You're killing our people.

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

Senator Thorpe! I've called you to order. Minister Wong.

Penny Wong (SA, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Foreign Affairs) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I am both proud and humbled to be in a caucus with our First Nations caucus.