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Senate votes to censure David Leyonhjelm – politics live In maiden Senate speech, Fraser Anning urges vote on ending Muslim immigration – politics live
(35 minutes later)
As promised - here is what Richard Di Natale had to say during the censure motion:
I want to make this point. Senator Leyonhjelm’s defence seems to be that he was provoked. Let’s put on the record, firstly, that what Senator Leyonhjelm alleges was said is contested. Senator Hanson-Young and indeed her colleagues who heard what she said contest the nature of what Senator Leyonhjelm says was said to him. But that misses the point. It entirely misses the point. There is never an excuse for the personal, vindictive attack levelled at a colleague of the Senate. There is never an excuse under any circumstances.
What Senator Leyonhjelm did was that he attempted to humiliate and intimidate one of his fellow parliamentary colleagues. He was simply asked to apologise. Instead of apologising, he went as far as to double down. He went on to several radio and television interviews and sought to capitalise on those defamatory and sexist statements.
There is never an excuse to do what Senator Leyonhjelm did. It doesn’t matter what was said to him. His response was disgraceful; it was shameful; it was sexist; it was misogynist; and it was personal. Now, we can have robust debate in this place, but there is never an excuse, both within this chamber and outside of it, to exercise so-called free speech in the manner in which Senator Leyonhjelm chose to exercise it—by vilifying, intimidating and smearing the reputation of somebody who has made an enormous contribution to this place. And, at a time when we should be making this an environment that is welcoming to all people so that we have a more representative parliament, those comments undermined everything that needs to change in this place so that we welcome more women and more diversity to ensure that this place is much more representative of the people we seek to represent.
I just want to finish by saying we did not want this to happen. We did not want it to get to this point. All we sought from the outset was an apology from Senator Leyonhjelm. Instead, he chose to besmirch the reputation of somebody who has made an enormous contribution to this country. He chose to use a sexist and derogatory attack on an individual senator, and if we can’t censure a senator for those actions then there’s no good having that standing order within the provisions.
Penny Wong has responded to Fraser Anning’s speech:
My parents were married in the dying days of the White Australia Policy.
We’ve rightly consigned that policy to the dustbin of history.”
As far as I could tell, she was not in the chamber when he delivered it.
I have heard a lot in this place in the last couple of years.
But I am floored. I am absolutely floored.
The “final solution” is not a term used naturally. Most people would say, in that context – which, again, was calling for a plebiscite on whether we should return to the White Australia policy – would say “the answer is”.
I don’t think I have ever put those two words together in speech.
I’m sorry, but I just can not believe that anyone could use the term ‘the final solution’ and not understand the implications of what it means.I’m sorry, but I just can not believe that anyone could use the term ‘the final solution’ and not understand the implications of what it means.
Particularly when talking about immigrants, and those you have decided you don’t want.Particularly when talking about immigrants, and those you have decided you don’t want.
And that is what we just heard in the Australian Senate. In a chamber of the people’s house. In the context of the “final solution” to the “immigration problem” would be a popular vote on whether or not non-Europeans should be allowed in this country.And that is what we just heard in the Australian Senate. In a chamber of the people’s house. In the context of the “final solution” to the “immigration problem” would be a popular vote on whether or not non-Europeans should be allowed in this country.
Or, more plainly, to return to the white Australia policy.Or, more plainly, to return to the white Australia policy.
I am heartsick. Absolutely heartsick that I just heard that come from the Senate floor. And that people whose family history is forever torn by the actual ‘final solution’ that absolute stain on the fabric of human history, know it was uttered.I am heartsick. Absolutely heartsick that I just heard that come from the Senate floor. And that people whose family history is forever torn by the actual ‘final solution’ that absolute stain on the fabric of human history, know it was uttered.
For shame. For absolute shame.For shame. For absolute shame.
Fraser Anning:Fraser Anning:
[The migrants] who are thought to be the least able to assimilate and integrate is Muslims.[The migrants] who are thought to be the least able to assimilate and integrate is Muslims.
The first terrorist attack on Australian soil in 1915 was when two Muslim immigrants opened fire on a picnic train of innocent women and children in Broken Hill and Muslim immigrants have been a problem ever since.The first terrorist attack on Australian soil in 1915 was when two Muslim immigrants opened fire on a picnic train of innocent women and children in Broken Hill and Muslim immigrants have been a problem ever since.
To paraphrase the words of Winston Churchill, the fact that in Mohammad law, every women must belong to some man as his absolute property, either as a child, his wife, or a concubine, must delay the final extinction of slavery until the faith of Islam has ceased to be a great power.To paraphrase the words of Winston Churchill, the fact that in Mohammad law, every women must belong to some man as his absolute property, either as a child, his wife, or a concubine, must delay the final extinction of slavery until the faith of Islam has ceased to be a great power.
The influence of the religion paralyses social development of those who follow it. No stronger retrograde force exists in the world.The influence of the religion paralyses social development of those who follow it. No stronger retrograde force exists in the world.
I believe that the reasons for ending all further Muslim immigration are both compelling and self-evident. The record of Muslims who have already come to this country in terms of rates of crime, welfare dependency and terrorism, are the worst of any migrants and vastly exceed any other immigrant group.I believe that the reasons for ending all further Muslim immigration are both compelling and self-evident. The record of Muslims who have already come to this country in terms of rates of crime, welfare dependency and terrorism, are the worst of any migrants and vastly exceed any other immigrant group.
The majority of Muslims in Australia of working age do not work, and exist on welfare. Muslims in NSW and Victoria are three times more likely than other groups to be convicted of crimes.The majority of Muslims in Australia of working age do not work, and exist on welfare. Muslims in NSW and Victoria are three times more likely than other groups to be convicted of crimes.
We have black African Muslim gangs terrorising Melbourne, we have Isis-sympathising Muslims trying to go overseas to try and fight for Isis and while all Muslims are not terrorists, certainly all terrorists these days are Muslims.We have black African Muslim gangs terrorising Melbourne, we have Isis-sympathising Muslims trying to go overseas to try and fight for Isis and while all Muslims are not terrorists, certainly all terrorists these days are Muslims.
So why would anyone want to bring more of them here?So why would anyone want to bring more of them here?
And finally, and really something which should go without saying, we are entitled to require those who come here not only have work, useful work skills and qualifications, but also commitment to work and to pay taxes.And finally, and really something which should go without saying, we are entitled to require those who come here not only have work, useful work skills and qualifications, but also commitment to work and to pay taxes.
In truth it appears that many of those who claim to be asylum seekers are actually just welfare seekers who only come here, to Australia, to live on welfare and public housing at the expense of working Australians.In truth it appears that many of those who claim to be asylum seekers are actually just welfare seekers who only come here, to Australia, to live on welfare and public housing at the expense of working Australians.
In the days of Menzies, immigrants arriving here were not allowed to apply for welfare and that attracted exactly the right sort of hardworking people this country needed.In the days of Menzies, immigrants arriving here were not allowed to apply for welfare and that attracted exactly the right sort of hardworking people this country needed.
We should go back to that and ban all immigrants from receiving welfare for the first five years after they arrive.We should go back to that and ban all immigrants from receiving welfare for the first five years after they arrive.
The final solution to the immigration problem, of course, is a popular vote.The final solution to the immigration problem, of course, is a popular vote.
Of course, we don’t need a plebiscite to cut immigration numbers, we just need a government that is willing to institute sustainable population policy and end Australian job stealing 457 visas and make student visas conditional on foreign students returning to the country they came from.Of course, we don’t need a plebiscite to cut immigration numbers, we just need a government that is willing to institute sustainable population policy and end Australian job stealing 457 visas and make student visas conditional on foreign students returning to the country they came from.
What we do need a plebiscite for is to decide who comes here. Whitlam didn’t ask the Australian people whether they wanted wholesale non-European immigration, or migration, he introduced it, and neither has any subsequent government.What we do need a plebiscite for is to decide who comes here. Whitlam didn’t ask the Australian people whether they wanted wholesale non-European immigration, or migration, he introduced it, and neither has any subsequent government.
Who we allow to come here will determine what sort of nation we will have in the future. So therefore this isn’t the right of any one government to decide. It is too important for that.Who we allow to come here will determine what sort of nation we will have in the future. So therefore this isn’t the right of any one government to decide. It is too important for that.
Instead, we need a plebiscite to allow the Australian people to decide whether they want wholesale non-English speaking immigrants from the third world and particularly whether they want any Muslims, or whether they want to return to the predominately European immigration policy of the pre-Whitlam consensus.Instead, we need a plebiscite to allow the Australian people to decide whether they want wholesale non-English speaking immigrants from the third world and particularly whether they want any Muslims, or whether they want to return to the predominately European immigration policy of the pre-Whitlam consensus.
I for one will be happy to abide by their decision.I for one will be happy to abide by their decision.
To answer your censure motion questions:To answer your censure motion questions:
For:For:
Labor, Greens, HinchLabor, Greens, Hinch
Against:Against:
Liberal/Nationals, Anning, Bernardi, Burston, Hanson, Leyonhjelm,Liberal/Nationals, Anning, Bernardi, Burston, Hanson, Leyonhjelm,
Crossbenchers who did not vote:Crossbenchers who did not vote:
Griff, Patrick, Georgiou, StorerGriff, Patrick, Georgiou, Storer
It’s not only immigration which Fraser Anning has an issue with:It’s not only immigration which Fraser Anning has an issue with:
Given that everyone knows that there are only two genders, if you can persuade and agree to advocate in support of the false claim of an infinite number of genders, then without realising it, you have surrendered your political soul.Given that everyone knows that there are only two genders, if you can persuade and agree to advocate in support of the false claim of an infinite number of genders, then without realising it, you have surrendered your political soul.
Today, with so many unwittingly in lockstep marching to the culture revolutionary tune, options to oppose them politically are increasingly limited.Today, with so many unwittingly in lockstep marching to the culture revolutionary tune, options to oppose them politically are increasingly limited.
So that is why I joined the Katter Australia party, the only political force which seeks to return to the pre-Whitlam consensus. I want to see the defeat of cultural Marxism and their ilk and the rolling back of the subversion of Australian culture and values that they have wrought.So that is why I joined the Katter Australia party, the only political force which seeks to return to the pre-Whitlam consensus. I want to see the defeat of cultural Marxism and their ilk and the rolling back of the subversion of Australian culture and values that they have wrought.
There is no practical implication to a Senate censure. But it is noted by the Hansard record.There is no practical implication to a Senate censure. But it is noted by the Hansard record.
Semator David Leyonhjelm during a censure motion moved against him by the greens this afternoon @AmyRemeikis @GuardianAus #politicslive pic.twitter.com/69T4xbNTEySemator David Leyonhjelm during a censure motion moved against him by the greens this afternoon @AmyRemeikis @GuardianAus #politicslive pic.twitter.com/69T4xbNTEy
Sigh. This is another thing which is happening:Sigh. This is another thing which is happening:
Queensland senator Fraser Anning is using his first speech to the Senate to pay tribute to the White Australia Policy #auspolQueensland senator Fraser Anning is using his first speech to the Senate to pay tribute to the White Australia Policy #auspol
Scott Morrison is so proud of the Taylor Swift line, he tweeted it:Scott Morrison is so proud of the Taylor Swift line, he tweeted it:
In the last 12 months, a massive 95,200 young Australians got a job - strongest financial year since 1989. Cue the beat... #auspol #QT pic.twitter.com/siC8tOmqmUIn the last 12 months, a massive 95,200 young Australians got a job - strongest financial year since 1989. Cue the beat... #auspol #QT pic.twitter.com/siC8tOmqmU
Fraser Anning is delivering his first speech to the Senate.
He’s with Katter’s Australian party now, having entered as a One Nation senator, for anyone trying to keep up with the Senate musical chairs.
I’ll bring you Richard Di Natale’s speech in just a moment, but the Senate has voted to censure David Leyonhjelm:
On censure motion of Leyonhjelm - Ayes 30 Noes 28. Was Labor and Greens in favour and Coalition, PHON, Bernardi Leyonhjelm against. #auspol
David Leyonhjelm’s opening words:
What exactly is the Senate being asked to censure? On the afternoon of June the 28th, Senator Hanson-Young made an interjection, I made an interjection in reply. Senator Hanson-Young then approached me and made a face to face comment, I made a reply.
So there were four statements in the Senate.
We should know which of these four statements the Senate is being asked to censure. Let’s start with the original interjection.
Senator Hinch, no supporter of mine on this issue, tweeted on the night of the second of July that Senator Hanson-Young said something like women wouldn’t need to have the spray if men weren’t rapists. If you don’t think those words are objectionable, then insert a reference to another group of people instead of men and see what it sounds like.
Would it be OK to say women wouldn’t need pepper spray if blacks weren’t rapists? Would it be OK to say women wouldn’t need pepper spray if Muslims weren’t rapists?
Interrogation of Senator Hanson-Young’s original interjection has been sadly lacking. Senator Hanson-Young has not acknowledged what she said and not one journalist in this country has asked to Senator Hanson-Young what she said
All we have had is Senator Hanson-Young denying my claim that she said something to the effect that all men are rapists.
The failure of journalists to ask Senator Hanson-Young what she actually said is a sad indictment of journalism and modern culture.
Senator Hanson-Young’s failure to outline what she said also reflects poorly on her it indicates an unwillingness to stand by her comments and be a person of her word.
To inform this censure motion, I request Senator Hanson-Young finally outline her original interjection. let’s not rely on my recollection of what Senator Hanson-Young said, nor on Senator Hinch’s recollection. That would be mad. Let’s hear it from her.
I was scorned in the media for not recounting Senator Hanson-Young’s verbatim. If Senator Hanson-Young is unable to recount her words exactly, I trust she will be held to the same standard.”
David Leyonhjelm wants to give a seven-minute statement.
Labor agrees.
He begins by asking “what exactly is the Senate being asked to censure?”
There is just a bit of debate over whether it is sub judice or not to have this motion, given that Sarah Hanson Young has launched legal action against Leyonhjelm.
How Mike Bowers saw QT:
The Senate is coming up to the censure motion the Greens are putting up against David Leyonhjelm over his comments regarding Sarah Hanson-Young.
Annnnnd … Barry O’Sullivan has crossed the floor again to support Cory Bernardi’s motion coming to a vote:
To move that the Senate —
(a) notes that the United States of America has withdrawn from the Paris climate agreement; and
(b) calls upon the Australian government to also withdraw from the agreement, and cease taking any steps towards enacting at law or by policy any steps towards the agreement’s targets.
An important reminder to State Labor from Federal Labor when Mark Butler said today about the #NEG, “The Labor states are not dealing with the targets question, they're dealing with design of the investment framework."
A despatch from Julie Bishop’s office:
Today I launch the nation’s first ever review of soft power to ensure Australia remains a persuasive voice in our region.
Soft power is the ability to influence the behaviour or thinking of others through the power of ideas and attraction. By leveraging our soft power strengths, we can advance Australia’s global reputation and prosperity.
These strengths include our economy, multicultural society, world-class education system and sporting prowess, as well as our attractive lifestyle, values, culture, and reputation as a reliable partner, a trusted friend, and a nation of friendly and enterprising people.
Australia starts from a position of strength in global surveys of soft power, but there is always more we can do to strengthen our relationships, standing and influence in the world.
It is the right time to start a national conversation about the character of Australia’s influence, particularly in the Indo-Pacific. We must keep pace with rapid globalisation and digital connectivity in order to cut through the crowded marketplace of ideas.
I encourage industry, academia and the non-government sector, as important soft power actors, to be involved in the review. Details on how to make a submission are available at www.dfat.gov.au/softpower.
The review is a commitment of the Australian Government’s 2017 Foreign Policy White Paper.