23rd Aug 2018, 12:18 PM – Senate Motions - English Language - Make official language and encourage use

The majority voted against a motion introduced by Senator Fraser Anning, which means it failed.

Motion text

That the Senate:

(a) acknowledges that:

(i) a common language is the cornerstone of culture, sense of community and identity as a nation,

(ii) English has been, since the first settlement, the common language of Australia,

(iii) English remains the language spoken by the overwhelming majority of Australians, with most Australians speaking no other language, and

(iv) speaking English is an essential part of assimilation and integration by migrants;

(b) notes that:

(i) English may be considered the de facto language of Australia, however, it is not explicitly declared the official language of Australia,

(ii) a number of nations recognise their official language within their Constitution, including France, Spain, Italy, India, Russia, Saudi Arabia, Afghanistan, Iran and Iraq,

(iii) thirty-one American States have legislated to declare English as the official language, and

(iv) on 10 April 2018, the Strathfield City Council passed a motion stating 'All signage is to be displayed in the English language, with a direct or near direct translation into another language using smaller letters or characters. Where signage includes a translation into another language, this must not exceed more than 30 per cent of the overall size of the English language text'; and

(c) calls on the Federal Government to:

(i) recognise English as the official language of Australia, and

(ii) encourage the use of English on all shop signs throughout the country.