MOTIONS
Senator THORPE (Victoria—Independent VIC Whip) (15:18): I will be moving an amendment to this motion. It says 'That the Senate calls on this government to commit to implementing the National Anti-Racism Framework in full as a matter of urgency, because tackling racism requires more than words of condemnation—it requires action'. Hanson's words about Muslim people were racist.
That is plain to see, and I stand with my Muslim brothers and sisters as always. This constant racism and vilification has to stop. But this censure motion by Labor today is not about taking a real stand against racism.
It is nothing but a cynical wedge and a cheap political stunt designed to undermine the coalition's chances in the Farrer by-election. Labor wants to highlight Hanson's racism to— The PRESIDENT: Senator Thorpe, please refer to the senator by her correct title. Senator THORPE: Senator Hanson's racism to prevent the coalition and One Nation from doing a preference deal in that election, because a preference deal will mean that the coalition is more likely to retain the seat.
It is cheap politics, and it is insulting to all of us who experience racism on a daily basis. This motion comes from a party that continuously allows racist language and actions in this place, even through the person in the chair. It doesn't take much to see how gammin Labor's commitment against racism is.
If Labor were genuinely concerned about racism, they wouldn't be completely ignoring the National Anti-Racism Framework that they received 15 months ago. Since then, they have not even made a formal response, let alone begun any implementation. They still cannot tell us when it will be implemented, if ever.
There is just silence. The National Anti-Racism Framework was delivered by the Australian Human Rights Commission in November 2024 and provides a clear, evidence based road map to tackle racism and white-supremacist extremism at every level. It is a practical plan, not a feel-good statement.
Yet, more than a year later, this government has done nothing. Not a single recommendation has been implemented or even acknowledged. No timeline has been offered.
The moment we need action, after a tax on First Peoples and Muslim communities—the Lakemba Mosque threats, the attack on Camp Sovereignty, the Boorloo terrorist bombing and the planned attacks on mosques in WA last week—the government is ignoring the solution sitting on their own shelf. This is not just complete negligence; this is what systemic racism looks like.
All this censure motion will do is give Hanson more air time to— The PRESIDENT: Senator Thorpe— Senator THORPE: Senator Hanson more air time to spout her racism while attention gets steered away from Labor's inaction and back onto One Nation and the coalition. Labor are trying to frame themselves as the good guys here; they aren't. That's why I'm focusing on them today, because what we see from Senator Hanson is part of a problem that this Labor government is creating by failing to take any real action.
This government sees racism only as a political opportunity, not as a real threat to real people. They just speak about it when they see something to gain, like they do today. But they take no real action to tackle it.
Today, Muslim people are again being used as political footballs—not respected, not protected. And Labor brand themselves as the champions of racialised communities, but the reality is that they do nothing, and today they are using us as part of their own political strategy. I'll acknowledge that my amendment is a wedge, too, but mine actually points to real, practical policy solutions.
It's a sad state of affairs that this do-nothing government can be wedged simply by offering them solutions. So yes, Labor, here is your wedge: a real, tangible, actionable road map to protect people and tackle racism. You can vote my amendment down—which I know you will, because this censure motion is only about cheap politics; it's not about real action.
This vote will show clearly how much you really care about tackling racism in here. With that, and around this country—there are no good racists— The PRESIDENT: Senator Thorpe, the way this motion has been established and moved today, you need leave to put an amendment. Senator Thorpe: Could I seek leave to put my amendment?
The PRESIDENT: Leave is not granted, so I'm going to go to— Senator Thorpe: Well, under the standing orders—what are the words? Help me out. Contingent to the standing orders, in my name, I move that so much of the standing orders be suspended until you hear what I've got to say.
The PRESIDENT: You can move the suspension, but, because you don't have a contingent order in place, you would need an absolute majority of senators—not a simple majority, as we normally have in this place, but an absolute majority. Do you want to proceed? Senator THORPE: I need to proceed, absolutely.
Do you want me to read out the written version of the seeking of leave? The PRESIDENT: I believe you circulated it. Senator Hanson interjecting— Senator THORPE: Sit down.
It's not your turn. The PRESIDENT: Senator Thorpe, I am running the chamber. Senator Hanson?
Senator Hanson: If she needs an absolute majority, One Nation will not be supporting this. The PRESIDENT: Thank you, Senator Hanson. We'll put it to the vote now.
Senator Thorpe has moved a motion. As I explained to the chamber, Senator Thorpe doesn't have a contingent motion in place, so it will need an absolute majority. Question negatived.