The PRESIDENT (Senator the Hon. Scott Ryan) took the chair at 12:00, read prayers and made an acknowledgement of country.
That so much of the standing orders be suspended as would prevent Senator Wong moving a motion to provide for the consideration of a matter, namely a motion to provide that a motion relating to the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change may be moved immediately and have precedence over all other business until determined.
That the question be now put.
The Senate divided. [12:11]
(The President—Senator Ryan)
The Senate divided. [12:28]
(The President—Senator Ryan)
The Senate divided. [12:30]
(The President—Senator Ryan)
That so much of the standing orders be suspended as would prevent Senator Waters moving a motion to provide for the consideration of a matter, namely a motion to provide that a motion relating to the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change may be moved immediately and take precedence over all other business until determined.
That the question be now put.
The Senate divided. [12:46]
(The President—Senator Ryan)
The Senate divided. [12:49]
(The President—Senator Ryan)
Family Assistance Legislation Amendment (Child Care Subsidy) Bill 2021
At the end of the motion, add ", but the Senate notes that:
(a) most families receive no extra support from the government's changes to the child care subsidy;
(b) the government's changes do nothing to stop out of control child care fees;
(c) passage of the bill will allow the Minister to bring forward the commencement of the changes; and
(d) the government should deliver extra support to families as soon as possible".
It is anticipated we will be able commence implementation by July 2022. Should it be possible to bring the commencement of the measure forward, we will do this so that families can benefit sooner. That is why the bill makes it possible for earlier implementation, with the date to be set by proclamation.
The alarm bells are deafening … greenhouse gas emissions from fossil fuel burning and deforestation are choking our planet and putting billions of people at immediate risk.
…a strategic acquisition… Aquaculture will be a new growth platform for our businesses. We will repeat what we did previously with poultry, pork and value-added products to make our portfolio even more complete.
Sergei was so outraged by the theft of $230 million dollars of taxes which should have gone to state recipients like pensioners, schools, the disabled, and hospitals, that he stood up in the belief that truth and justice would prevail. Others might have backed down in the face of the immense pressure he was subjected to, but he did not. That would have meant compromising his own integrity and sense of honesty and he could never do that. He believed that he was acting for the greater good of his country and fellow citizens. He wanted to be a shining example to his colleagues, friends and family.
I think everybody in the international community would laugh if they would hear that Australia thinks they're doing enough. Of course they're not doing enough.
They neither have upped their targets for 2030 nor have they put a net zero target onto the table. They are not invited to many of the talks where international climate diplomacy is now going on because they are seen—and rightly so—as a laggard.
The intensity, frequency and duration of fire weather events are projected to increase throughout Australia …
… erred in finding that the minister owed a duty to take reasonable care … to avoid causing personal injury or death to persons who were under 18 years of age … arising from emissions of carbon dioxide.
That the Senate take note of the answer given by the Minister for Finance (Senator Birmingham) to a question without notice asked by Senator Bilyk today relating to JobKeeper.
One thing … that stands out … is the financial hardship, anxiety and distress, including suicidal ideation and in some cases suicide, that people or their loved ones say was suffered as a result of the Robodebt system, and that many say they felt shame and hurt at being wrongly branded 'welfare cheats'.
But if people fail to come to an arrangement to settle their debts, the Government has a responsibility to taxpayers to recover that money.
The automation of this process will free up resources and result in more people being referred to the tax garnishee process, retrieving more outstanding debt on behalf of taxpayers.
It is important that the Government explores different means of debt recovery to ensure that those who have received more money than they are entitled to repay their debt.
That the Senate take note of the answer given by the Minister representing the Minister for the Environment (Senator Hume) to a question without notice asked by Senator McKim today relating to climate change.
That the following matter be referred to the Finance and Public Administration References Committee for inquiry and report by 2 December 2021:
The administration and expenditure of funding under the Urban Congestion Fund (UCF), with particular reference to:
(a) the allocation of funding under the National Commuter Car Park Fund;
(b) whether the administration of the UCF meets the highest standards of governance, performance and accountability in the expenditure of public funds;
(c) the role of the offices of the Minister(s), the Prime Minister and Deputy Prime Minister(s), and any external parties, in determining which projects to allocate funding to and who would announce these projects;
(d) the extent to which the management of the fund respected the caretaker conventions;
(e) the fund's impact in reducing congestion, including whether the allocation of funding under the program was appropriately targeted to meet the stated objective of the UCF; and
(f) any related programs or matters.
That on Wednesday, 11 August 2021:
(a) at 4 pm, the business of the Senate notice of motion proposing the disallowance of the Australia's Foreign Relations (State and Territory Arrangements) Rules 2020 be called on and, if by 4.30 pm consideration of the motion has not concluded, the question then be put; and
(b) the business of the Senate notice of motion proposing the disallowance of sections 4 and 6 of the Social Security (Parenting payment participation requirements - class of persons) Instrument 2021 then be called on and, if consideration of the motion has not concluded after 30 minutes, the question then be put.
That the provisions of paragraphs (5) to (8) of standing order 111 not apply to the Counter-Terrorism Legislation Amendment (Sunsetting Review and Other Measures) Bill 2021, allowing it to be considered during this period of sittings.
The Senate divided. [15:45]
(The President—Senator Ryan)
Human Rights (Targeted Sanctions) Bill 2021
That the following bill be introduced: A Bill for an Act relating to targeted sanctions for human rights violations, and for related purposes.
That this bill may proceed without formalities and be now read a first time.
That this bill be now read a second time.
I am introducing the Human Rights (Targeted Sanctions) Bill 2021 to provide a framework for referrals to the Minister, requiring a response as to whether the Minister will impose targeted sanctions.
I want to start by noting that the Joint Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade tabled its report on Magnitsky legislation in December 2020. That report was titled Criminality, corruption and impunity: Should Australia join the Global Magnitsky movement? It followed extensive evidence provided to the Committee, from human rights organisations here in Australia and around the world, and a number of notable individuals including Bill Browder, Garry Kasparov, Amal Clooney and Geoffrey Robertson, and many others who gave their time, expertise, and in some cases gave evidence confidentially because of the personal risk to themselves.
The joint standing committee report was a unanimous, cross-partisan report, supporting Magnitsky legislation.
It's been more than half a year since the Government received that report.
In May, Senator Kitching cosponsored a motion with me, to require a response from the Government to that report. The initial response to that first order for the production of documents, when it was tabled, was very disappointing. Just a letter, saying that "The Government is still considering the 33 recommendations", and therefore they couldn't provide a response.
It was only after I lodged a second notice of motion, to require a response from the Government to that report, that we saw a response from the Government. Not actual legislation, but at least a formal response to the report. When we see legislation, we will of course scrutinise that closely, but we welcome that small step forward.
I note particularly, however, that the Government did not agree to Recommendation 12 of the report, "that an independent advisory body be constituted to receive nominations for sanctions targets, consider them and make recommendations to the decision maker". That is an important gap, and one that goes directly to the basis for this bill. I also note that Government has also not agreed to recommendations 13 or 14 that recommended the independent body be able to hold public hearings, and the Minister be required to respond to recommendations from the independent body.
So let me be very clear - the Australian Greens want to see the introduction of an appropriate Magnitsky framework, with a bill that we can appropriately scrutinise and debate.
Given it took the government 8 months to respond to the Committee's unanimous cross partisan consensus report, I am not holding my breath for when we will see a proposed bill, and from the government's response on 5 August for that bill to be as comprehensive as is required and to fully reflect the consensus recommendations of the Committee.
So, in the absence of that bill I introduce this bill to create a framework for referrals, or as the Committee report describes them, nominations. While we wait for the bill to implement the proposed changes in the Government's response, the Australian Government does have the power to introduce sanctions under current legislation. As the Joint Standing Committee's report noted:
There is provision within the current Australian autonomous sanctions regime to sanction individuals on the basis of human rights abuses. Similarly to Magnitsky-style Acts in the United States and Canada, the Act and Regulations allow for a person to be listed for financial sanctions and travel bans for human rights violations …
We are of course very conscious of the extensive evidence the Committee received, about the shortfalls in the current regime. We agree with many of those critiques - we would prefer to see a full Magnitsky act, that is framed to target human rights abusers. However, while we are waiting for the Australian Government to act, tragically, human rights abuses are continuing to occur in countries around the world, and the Australian Government has tools available in the current sanctions framework which it is not using.
I noted earlier recommendations 12-14 of the report, which recommend establishing an independent advisory body. We would like to see a full Magnitsky bill, including provisions to establish an advisory body, that could be debated and considered appropriately in this chamber. Failing that, however, this Bill goes part-way to addressing that.
This Bill is a provisional measure that uses the core Magnitsky principles, leveraging the current legal regime in Australia until there's a more comprehensive, stand-alone, Magnitsky. As an interim step, this bill creates a referral framework - so that where a number of Parliamentary bodies, as set out in the bill, pass a resolution in relation to a particular human rights abuser or a person responsible for serious corruption, then the Minister will be required to provide a statement.
The approach in this Bill is intended to mirror that used in the United States framework, which has been summarised by the Congressional Research Service:
… Section 1263(d), requires the President to respond within 120 days to requests from the aforementioned committee leadership to determine whether a foreign person has engaged in sanctionable activity under the law and whether or not the President intends to impose sanctions.
Let me be very clear, that the power to impose sanctions would still sit with the Foreign Minister. This bill does not in any way change that. What it would simply require is a statement from the Foreign Minister, as to whether the Government will impose sanctions or not. We think a nomination process from Parliamentary bodies is entirely reasonable. If the government would prefer a nomination process from an independent body, established by legislation, we would be very open to considering that; and have been disappointed to see that idea rejected in the Government's response to the report. Additionally, a number of process constraints make it simpler to adopt a nomination process from Parliamentary bodies in this bill, and we think it is a reasonable step.
The Bill explicitly includes a review, by the Joint Standing Committee for Foreign Affairs Defence and Trade, once we actually have a legislated Magnitsky framework. That will provide an opportunity to examine whether the approach outlined in this bill is still an appropriate nomination framework, or whether it has been superseded. But until that happens, we think it is an appropriate step.
This Bill is also a very important reminder that the Foreign Minister has powers, under the current framework, to impose targeted sanctions against human rights abusers. That is something that the Myanmar diaspora community has been calling for since the coup started. There have been equivocal statements from the Department and the Minister on this issue, over time, and a range of public debate. I want to particularly note the letter from civil society organisations in Myanmar, responding to the statement that targeted sanctions would not improve the situation on the ground. The letter stated:
We are deeply disappointed in your Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade ' s assessment that additional sanctions on Myanmar would not have a positive impact on the ground …
We strongly call for Australia and the international community to take action against these criminals through targeted sanctions and other appropriate measures.
That is a reminder of how important this issue is, and how long the Australian Government has already delayed action. According to the UN's Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in Myanmar (27 July 2021):
The junta has murdered at least 931 people and is holding at least 5,630 in arbitrary detention where they are in danger of being infected with the virus. Another 255 people have been sentenced for trumped up crimes, with 26 of them - two of whom are minors - sentenced to death. According to the UNHCR, there are 570,320 internally displaced persons currently living in Rakhine, Chin, Kachin, Shan, Kayin, Mon, and Bago states.
Junta forces have engaged in at least 260 attacks against medical personnel and facilities, claiming the lives of at least 18 people. Over 600 health care professionals are currently eluding outstanding arrest warrants and at least 67 are being held by junta forces.
Despite this horrific situation, the Australian Government has refused to act, in contrast to many countries around the world. As the Australian Council for International Development summarised: "Together, the United States, the United Kingdom, Canada and the European Union have imposed sanctions on a total of 38 individuals and 17 entities associated with the junta."
So the Bill explicitly includes a clause requiring an urgent statement from the Foreign Minister, as to whether the Australian Government will impose targeted sanctions against individuals who have been responsible for, or complicit in, the coup in Myanmar.
Since the 1st of February, the start of the 2021 Myanmar coup d'état, the same battalion that has caused genocide and human rights abuses - such as using rape against the Rohingyar - has been unleashed on civilian protestors on the streets of Rangoon and beyond. Democratically elected officials such as Aung San Suu Kyi, have been arrested and civilians have been murdered in plain daylight.
The time for deliberating has passed. Australia must act.
That there be laid on the table by the Minister representing the Minister for the Environment, by 9 am on Thursday, 12 August 2021, all documents relating to the Environment Minister's travel to Europe in July 2021 for the purpose of meeting with UNESCO World Heritage Committee members to discuss the 'In Danger' listing of the Great Barrier Reef, including the following details:
(a) who the Minister met with, when, where, and any records from these meetings;
(b) the full itinerary as planned and any changes made to the itinerary during the travel; and
(c) all costs associated with the travel including for any ministerial or department staff who accompanied the Minister.
The Senate divided. [15:53]
(The President—Senator Ryan
That there be laid on the table by the Minister representing the Minister for Health and Aged Care, by no later than 9.30 am on Wednesday, 11 August 2021, the terms of reference, full brief and remit the Doherty Institute was asked to model that informed the Government's national plan to transition Australia's national COVID-19 response.
The Senate divided. [15:59]
(The President—Senator Ryan)
That there be laid on the table by the Minister representing the Minister for Resources and Water, by no later than 1 pm on Thursday, 12 August 2021, the following documents relating to the Beetaloo Cooperative Drilling Program:
(a) any correspondence between the Minister for Resources and Water and Empire Energy or its subsidiaries discussing the program;
(b) any correspondence between the Minister for Energy and Emissions Reduction and Empire Energy or its subsidiaries discussing the program;
(c) details of any meetings between the Minister for Resources and Water or the Minister for Energy and Emissions Reduction and representatives of Empire Energy, including date, location, attendees and notes of any matters discussed;
(d) a list of all applications for grants under the program, including the date the application was received;
(e) guidelines, directions, policies or any other documentation regarding the decision to allocate grants on a 'first come, first served' basis;
(f) any assessment against relevant guidelines of the validity or merits of applications received;
(g) a list of successful applicants;
(h) a list of any applicants who have been advised that their application has not been successful; and
(i) any grant agreements issued under the program.
That there be laid on the table by the Minister representing the Minister for Energy and Emissions Reduction, by no later than 9.30 am on Monday, 23 August 2021:
(a) all comments prepared by the Government in response to the draft of the 'Summary for Policymakers' of the Working Group I contribution to the Sixth Assessment Report of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change; and
(b) any advice received by the Government from expert scientists in order to prepare those comments.
Pursuant to standing order 75, I propose that the following matter of public importance be submitted to the Senate for discussion:
The world is rapidly warming and, unless emergency action is taken, could reach 1.5C above pre-industrial temperatures within the next decade, putting Australians at risk of more frequent and more intense heatwaves, fires, droughts and floods.
That, in the opinion of the Senate, the following is a matter of urgency:
The world is rapidly warming and, unless emergency action is taken, could reach 1.5C above pre-industrial temperatures within the next decade, putting Australians at risk of more frequent and more intense heatwaves, fires, droughts and floods.
Heavy rainfall and river floods are projected to increase in Australia in the future.
The Senate divided. [17:10]
(The Acting Deputy President—Senator Brown)
Customs Tariff Amendment (Incorporation of Proposals) Bill 2021
That this bill may proceed without formalities and be now read a first time.
That this bill be now read a second time.
The Customs Tariff Amendment (Incorporation of Proposals) Bill 2021 will amend the Customs Tariff Act 1995 (Customs Tariff Act) to incorporate three customs tariff proposals which provide for a 'Free' rate of customs duty for a range of imported goods. Customs Tariff Proposal (No. 1) 2021, Customs Tariff Proposal (No. 2) 2021 and Customs Tariff Proposal (No. 3) 2021 were tabled in Parliament in February, March and May of this year, respectively. The measures contained in these proposals have supported the availability of health and hygiene products in the Australian community, contributed to Australia's ability to fulfil international defence commitments and facilitated continued research and development in the automotive sector.
The incorporation of the measure contained in Customs Tariff Proposal (No. 1) 2021 extends, from 31 December 2020 to 30 June 2021, the 'Free' rate of customs duty for imported prescribed medical and hygiene products capable of use in combating the coronavirus that causes COVID-19. Temporary concessional item 57 of Schedule 4 to the Customs Tariff Act commenced on 1 February 2020 and, with industry support, the end date of the concession was previously extended from 31 July 2020 to 31 December 2020. As we continue to feel the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Australian Government remains committed to protecting the health of all Australians. This further extension will ensure that individuals and businesses continue to have access to the essential supplies required to keep themselves and other members of the community safe. Under this measure a 'Free' rate of customs duty will apply to masks, gloves, gowns, soaps and certain disinfectant preparations and protective eyewear.
The second measure in this Bill incorporates the measure contained in Customs Tariff Proposal (No. 2) 2021. This will insert new item 58 into Schedule 4 of the Customs Tariff Act. This concessional item provides a 'Free' rate of customs duty for imported goods that are for use in the F-35 Lightning II Joint Strike Fighter Program. This measure supports Australia's participation under the Joint Strike Fighter Production, Sustainment and Follow-on Development Memorandum of Understanding, which was signed in 2006 and gives effect to the commitment to achieving tax neutrality made by Australia under the Memorandum of Understanding.
Lastly, this Bill incorporates the measure in Customs Tariff Proposal (No. 3) 2021 to insert new concessional item 39A into Schedule 4 of the Customs Tariff Act. This item provides a 'Free' rate of customs duty for imported prescribed motor vehicles and motor vehicle components imported by an automotive service provider who was previously registered under the Automotive Transformation Scheme (within the meaning of the Automotive Transformation Scheme Act 2009 ), where the time for working out duty is between 1 April 2021 and 30 June 2025. These goods must be imported for use in the testing, quality control, manufacturing evaluation or engineering development of motor vehicles designed or engineered in Australia under security. Item 39A extends the treatment previously provided to these goods during the operation of theAutomotive Transformation Scheme. With the end of the second stage of this Scheme, the concessional item ensures that companies previously registered under the scheme can continue to access the customs duty concession and are not subject to additional regulatory burden.
Education Services for Overseas Students (Registration Charges) Amendment Bill 2021
Education Services for Overseas Students (TPS Levies) Amendment Bill 2021
Education Services for Overseas Students Amendment (Cost Recovery and Other Measures) Bill 2021
That these bills may proceed without formalities, may be taken together and be now read a first time.
That these bills be now read a second time.
Education Services for Overseas Students (Registration Charges) Amendment Bill 2021
The 2021-22 Budget includes a measure to implement an updated cost recovery model for registration charges for the Commonwealth Register of Institutions and Courses for Overseas Students - known as CRICOS, which are collected by the Department of Education, Skills and Employment. The new arrangements will reduce the amount paid by providers to the department by approximately $7 million per year.
Delivering the model requires amendments in four separate bills:
This Bill outlines the proposed changes to charges payable by providers registering, or intending to be registered on CRICOS to deliver education and training services to overseas students. The amendments will result in a significant reduction in the department's collection of CRICOS charges from the international education sector.
The updated cost recovery model reflects the department's costs of administering and regulating CRICOS providers in accordance with the Australian Government Charging Framework (the Charging Framework). The key focus of the Charging Framework is to ensure that the cost of the regulation being provided should be borne by the entity, rather than those costs being met by taxpayers.
In addition to the department, the Australian Skills Quality Authority (ASQA) and Tertiary Education Quality Standards Agency (TEQSA) also have roles in regulating CRICOS registered providers. These regulators are known as ESOS agencies. ASQA is the ESOS agency for registered vocational education and training providers and standalone English Language Intensive Courses for Overseas Students providers. TEQSA is the ESOS agency for registered higher education providers, and the Secretary of the department is the ESOS agency for school providers.
From 1 January 2022, only the costs of the department's CRICOS regulatory effort will be recovered through the Registration Charges Act. ASQA and TEQSA will separately charge under their own legislative frameworks, ensuring clear lines of transparency and accountability between charging and regulatory practice.
This also protects providers from double charging and ensures the department, ASQA and TEQSA are all properly resourced to fulfil their ongoing compliance, analysis and monitoring obligations so that the quality and integrity of Australia's international education and training system is maintained.
Subject to the passage of this bill, the new charging arrangements will commence from 1 January 2022.
I commend this Bill to the chamber.
Education Services for Overseas Students (TPS Levies) Amendment Bill 2021
This Bill outlines the amendments that need to be made to the Education Services for Overseas Students (TPS Levies) Act 2012 as a result of amendments to theEducation Services for Overseas Students (Registration Charges) Act 1997 .
The Bill will add a definition of 'total enrolments' to the Act which is needed when calculating Tuition Protection Service levies, and because the existing definition will be repealed by the Education Services for Overseas Students (Registration Charges) Amendment Bill 2021.The definition will include clarification that an enrolment will be included in the calculation for the TPS levy when a student has an enrolment in a course and has also undertaken study in the relevant period.
Subject to the passage of this bill and the Registration Charges Bill, the new charging arrangements will commence from 1 January 2022.
I commend this Bill to the chamber.
Education Services for Overseas Students Amendment (Cost Recovery and Other Measures) Bill 2021
This Bill outlines the amendments that need to be made to the Education Services for Overseas Students Act 2000 to ensure consistency with theEducation Services for Overseas Students (Registration Charges) Act 1997 , particularly to require registered providers to be in good standing with all Education Services for Overseas Students agencies in regards to their Commonwealth Register of Institutions and Courses for Overseas Students fees and charges.
It clarifies the monitoring powers of ESOS agencies by making it explicit that these agencies are able to undertake the function of a compliance audit.
This Bill will also amend the ESOS Act to make the CRICOS annual registration charge payable within a 30-day period and to allow flexibility in the timing of annual charges if necessary, should unforeseen circumstances arise.
Subject to the passage of this bill and the Registration Charges Bill, the new charging arrangements will commence from 1 January 2022.
I commend this Bill to the chamber.
This Bill will amend the Tertiary Education Quality and Standards Agency (Charges) Act 2021 to correctly refer to the charges to be established under the proposed amendments to theEducation Services for Overseas Students (Registration Charges) Act 1997 .
I commend this Bill to the chamber.
That resumption of the debate be made an order of the day for a later hour.
(1) That the Senate notes that the Legal and Constitutional Affairs References Committee inquiry into nationhood, national identity and democracy recommended that the Australian Government establish a Parliamentary Office of Science, modelled on the United Kingdom Parliamentary Office of Science and Technology, to provide independent, impartial scientific advice, evidence and data to the Parliament, and all members and senators.
(2) That the following matter be referred to the Economics References Committee for inquiry and report by 2 December 2021:
The current state of scientific advice to the Parliament, with particular reference to:
(a) the role of timely, independent scientific advice to the Parliament throughout the COVID-19 pandemic;
(b) the nature of information needed and adequacy of current sources to assist the Parliament in its consideration of matters related to science and technology;
(c) the relevance of approaches adopted in other countries, including the United Kingdom's Parliamentary Office of Science and Technology;
(d) opportunities to expand the availability of independent scientific advice to members of Parliament through the establishment of a Parliamentary Office of Science and Technology (POST) with appropriate structure and resourcing, including:
(i) accountability and oversight,
(ii) protocols for requesting work from POST, and POST's relationship with other entities, and
(iii) resourcing and staffing levels; and
(e) any other related matters.
Notice of motion altered on 4 August 2021 pursuant to standing order 77.
The alarm bells are deafening and the evidence is irrefutable: Greenhouse gas emissions from fossil fuel burning and deforestation are choking our planet and putting billions of people at immediate risk.
Achieving net zero by 2050 will be highly challenging and, although existing policy does not put the UK on track to meet interim milestones, there is emerging consensus across the private sector and civil society on the importance of climate mitigation. There is also a growing number of industry organisations outside of the immediate energy and climate space that are now aligning their operations with net zero by 2050. However, several groups argue that the 2050 date would need to be brought forward to make the UK's targets compatible with limiting global warming to 1.5°C under a stricter interpretation of 'equity' assumptions. Globally, current Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC) emissions reduction pledges emitted by all nations under the Paris Agreement fail to reach even the lower end of the Agreement's ambition. Recent CCC modelling has demonstrated a route to UK net zero by the early 2040s for the first time, under a scenario in which both innovation and public appetite for behaviour change all develop faster than expected.
The Senate divided. [18:21]
(The Deputy President—Senator Lines)
Family Assistance Legislation Amendment (Child Care Subsidy) Bill 2021
The practice of sport is a human right. Every individual must have the possibility of practising sport, without discrimination of any kind and in the Olympic spirit, which requires mutual understanding with a spirit of friendship, solidarity and fair play.
The enjoyment of the rights and freedoms set forth in this Olympic Charter shall be secured without discrimination of any kind, such as race, colour, sex, sexual orientation, language, religion, political or other opinion, national or social origin, property, birth or other status.
Participation in sport is a human right. We are all born free and equal in dignity and rights.
I've been excluded. For me, the census is the biggest data collection that occurs in this country and, so, it should be designed to include a collection of data on all Australians …
… the Australian Bureau of Statistics will collect a whole heap of data about my personal life – how much I earn, my religious affiliation and even my history of chronic health conditions. But they won't learn about something that's important to the picture of who I am – my sexual orientation.
In fact, once again, lesbian, gay, transgender, intersex and queer people won’t be properly counted in this year's census, because the ABS and the responsible minister – Michael Sukkar – failed to add in questions about sexual orientation, gender identity or variations in sex characteristics.
We condemn the 2021 Census for continuing to render LGBTIQA+ Australians invisible and to make it harder to address the stigma, discrimination and lack of services we experience.
We call on the Federal Government to commit to following its own guidelines on recognition of sex and gender by including in the 2026 Census the best practice questions already developed in consultation with the LGBTIQA+ community.
I'm aware of that. There's a criminal case in the ACT. I'm well aware of it.