Criminal Code Amendment (Hate Crimes) Bill 2024

Senator FARUQI (New South Wales) (13:14): I move the Greens amendment on sheet 3284: (1) Schedule 2, page 19 (line 1) to page 21 (line 11), to be opposed. This amendment is about removing mandatory minimum sentencing, which is cruel, inappropriate, highly discriminatory and unjust. Mandatory minimum sentencing is going to make no-one safer in this country.

Labor should think about what they are doing here. Senator McKim: Think about your own policy. Senator FARUQI: Yes, exactly.

It is a backflip on your own policy after promises that Senator Watt, who is sitting right there, made just two days ago. Think about how this will impact First Nations communities, First Nations children, and people of colour. The exact groups that you say you want to expand protections for will be targeted by mandatory minimum sentencing.

Shame on you. There is still time. Let's get these highly unjust laws out of this bill— The CHAIR: Thank you, Senator Faruqi.

I'm required now, by a previous order, to put the question. This will be the first question that I'll put, and then—Senator Pocock?