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senate vote 2017-02-14#2

Edited by mackay staff

on 2017-03-11 23:04:39

Title

  • Motions Q Society Fundraiser
  • Motions - Q Society Fundraiser - Condemn racism & homophobia

Description

  • <p class="speaker">Sam Dastyari</p>
  • <p>I move general business motion 215, standing in my name:</p>
  • <p class="italic">That the Senate&#8212;</p>
  • The majority voted in favour of a [motion](http://www.openaustralia.org.au/senate/?gid=2017-02-14.110.1) introduced by Labor Party MP [Sam Dastyari](https://theyvoteforyou.org.au/people/senate/nsw/sam_dastyari), which means it succeeded.
  • Motions like these don't have any legal force - they don't change our laws or force the Government to do anything - but they do represent the will of the Senate and so can be politically influential.
  • This motion called for all parliamentarians to condemn the racist and homophobic remarks and sentiments made at the [Q Society of Australia](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Q_Society_of_Australia) fundraiser in Sydney, which Liberal Party MP [George Christensen](https://theyvoteforyou.org.au/people/representatives/dawson/george_christensen) attended.
  • ### Motion text
  • > *That the Senate—*
  • > *(a) notes speakers at a [Q Society of Australia Inc](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Q_Society_of_Australia) fundraiser in Sydney said "I can't stand Muslims", "The NSW Division of the [Liberal Party](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Liberal_Party_of_Australia) is basically a gay club" and, in relation to ISIS, "They are not all bad, they do chuck pillow­ biters off buildings";*
  • > *(b) notes the Government was represented at the fundraiser by the [Member for Dawson](https://theyvoteforyou.org.au/people/representatives/dawson/george_christensen);*
  • > *(c) rejects these comments which have no place in modern Australia or respectful political discourse; and*
  • > *(d) calls on all parliamentarians to repudiate such remarks and sentiments.*
  • <p class="italic">(a) notes speakers at a Q Society of Australia Inc fundraiser in Sydney said "I can't stand Muslims", "The NSW Division of the Liberal Party is basically a gay club" and, in relation to ISIS, "They are not all bad, they do chuck pillow­ biters off buildings";</p>
  • <p class="italic">(b) notes the Government was represented at the fundraiser by the Member for Dawson;</p>
  • <p class="italic">(c) rejects these comments which have no place in modern Australia or respectful political discourse; and</p>
  • <p class="italic">(d) calls on all parliamentarians to repudiate such remarks and sentiments.</p>
  • <p>I seek leave to make a short statement.</p>
  • <p class="speaker">Stephen Parry</p>
  • <p>Leave is granted for one minute.</p>
  • <p class="speaker">Sam Dastyari</p>
  • <p>I have been given 60 seconds to talk about the Australian far right. I do not need that long. They are a bunch of homophobic Islamophobic extremists. The only thing free in their speech is the nakedness of their hate. The multicultural Australia that we love is better than the white Australia that they desire.</p>
  • <p class="speaker">James McGrath</p>
  • <p>Mr President, I seek leave to make a short statement.</p>
  • <p class="speaker">Stephen Parry</p>
  • <p>Leave is granted for one minute.</p>
  • <p class="speaker">James McGrath</p>
  • <p>The government condemns the remarks quoted in the motion but opposes this motion as it is factually incorrect. It is not correct to say the government was represented at this function by the member for Dawson. We are the most successful multicultural society in the world.</p>
  • <p>Question put.</p>
  • <p>The Senate divided. [15:56]</p>
  • <p>(The President&#8212;Senator Parry)</p>