COMMITTEES
Senator THORPE (Victoria—Independent VIC Whip) (11:30): It is dangerous and disgusting that, in the same week that Neo-Nazis paraded the streets calling for a white Australia, the Labor government is rushing through harsh anti-immigration deportation laws that will impact—surprise, surprise!—black and brown people the hardest. The Home Affairs Legislation Amendment (2025 Measures No. 1) Bill 2025 paves the way for the mass deportation of migrants and refugees with no legal safeguards and no opportunity for protection.
Australia's immigration regime is so brutal that even Trump pointed to Australia's system and said: That is a good idea. We should do that too. You are worse than I am.
Shame! He took inspiration from this colony, from the Labor government, just like South Africa got its inspiration for apartheid from the Aboriginals Protection Act in Queensland. It is racist laws like these that form the fabric of this colony, and this has been the case since the invasion of our sacred lands.
This creates a hotbed for white supremacy. White supremacy doesn't happen in a vacuum. It has been allowed to flourish as racist and divisive laws and attitudes to non-white people are laid into the very foundations of this colony, as we see today.
Some might assimilate, and I don't know how they sleep at night. If the Nazis were in parliament today—or maybe they are—they would applaud— The PRESIDENT: Senator Thorpe, withdraw the comment you made. Senator THORPE: 'If the Nazis were in parliament today'?
The PRESIDENT: There's no need to repeat it. I've asked you to withdraw it. Senator THORPE: What is wrong with this?
The PRESIDENT: Senator Thorpe, you are not in a debate with me. I've asked you to withdraw, and I expect you to withdraw. Senator THORPE: Very hard, this violent colony, but I withdraw.
The PRESIDENT: I've told you before that you don't put statements with a withdrawal. You simply withdraw the statement. Senator THORPE: I withdraw the statement, master.
The PRESIDENT: No. You can withdraw that as well. Senator THORPE: I withdraw.
The PRESIDENT: Thank you. Senator THORPE: Well, the Nazis would be very happy with the parliament today. They would applaud these laws and shake Albanese's hand, in fact.
I wonder who is providing the advice to the Albanese government if it's not the Nazis that we saw on the weekend. Congratulations, Labor. You've managed to impress the white supremacists and the cookers in this chamber who support them and speak at their rallies on— The PRESIDENT: Senator Thorpe, once again, withdraw that comment.
Senator THORPE: Should I have my speeches checked by you, President? The PRESIDENT: You're not in a debate with me. I've asked you to withdraw; I expect you to withdraw.
May I remind everyone in this chamber that we have all signed up to a respectful parliament, and that includes what you say in this place. Senator THORPE: You can talk about racists and murderers, but I can't talk about— The PRESIDENT: Senator Thorpe, if you don't withdraw, you won't have the call. Senator Faruqi interjecting— The PRESIDENT: Senator Faruqi, I'm simply dealing with Senator Thorpe at the moment.
I will happily come to you once Senator Thorpe has withdrawn. Senator THORPE: I withdraw. Senator Ruston: That's not a withdrawal!
The PRESIDENT: Order, Senator Ruston. An honourable senator: Leave it alone. Senator THORPE: I can't talk about what is the real truth of the country and about the white supremacy that continues to roll out in my workplace.
It is not a safe workplace for black and brown people in the Senate or in this building. But let's be clear: this is the Labor Party and the Liberal Party openly continuing a new era of the White Australia policy. Congratulations!
Sounds about white. Bills like these normalise racism and white supremacy in the highest places of power in the colony. The dream of a white Australia is the foundation of this colonial construct: terra nullius, to pretend the land was empty; and genocide, to make sure it would be.
Senator Wong publicly condemned last weekend's marches and, in the next breath, rushed through one of the cruellest mass-deportation bills in the world. What the politicians say publicly, on their socials and in the media is very different to what they do in this chamber. Back-door deals—fake, power-hungry, racist politicians.
I want to make clear that no colonial government in this country has the right to say who and who isn't illegal on stolen land. First Peoples do not use immigrants and refugees as political footballs. We make sure that people are welcome and follow the proper protocol of our land.
To the people out there who are scared about what this bill means for them and their families: you are welcome here and you are not alone. We know what racism looks like in this country and we see it every day. Stay safe.
Look after each other. Together we will continue to resist white supremacy in this country, in this colony and in this parliament. Senator Lambie: I ask that the question be put separately for paragraphs (a) and (b) of the Greens amendment, as moved by Senator McKim.
The PRESIDENT: Thank you, Senator Lambie.