edited
3rd Sep 2021
Sex Discrimination and Fair Work (Respect at Work) Amendment Bill 2021 - in Committee - Positive duty amendment
Not passed
No rebellions 32% attendance
1st Sep 2021, 11:45 AM – Senate Sex Discrimination and Fair Work (Respect at Work) Amendment Bill 2021 - in Committee - Cost protection
Summary
EditThe majority voted against amendments introduced by Queensland Senator Larissa Waters (Greens), which means they failed.
What is the purpose of the amendments?
Senator Waters explained that:
These amendments pertain to costs and providing cost protections for complainants. As we all know, financial risks are a significant barrier to seeking justice, particularly for workers making complaints. I note that at the Senate inquiry into the Sex Discrimination and Fair Work (Respect at Work) Amendment Bill 2021, rushed though it may have been, the Women's Legal Centre ACT said:
We're disappointed that the bill fails to provide a cost protection provision for complainants. Many women worry that they will not be believed and will be forced to pay the other side's legal fees. In the case of large businesses and government departments, these fees can be so significant that the average person would face financial ruin. It's no surprise many women decide not to take this gamble.
The recommendation in the Respect@Work report to provide cost protection was justified; it was unequivocal and it was very sensible.
Amendment text
The amendment text is available on sheet 1371.
Votes Not passed by a small majority
Nobody rebelled against their party.
| Party | Votes | |
|---|---|---|
| Australian Greens (22% turnout) | 2 Yes – 0 No | |
| Sarah Hanson-Young SA | Yes | |
| Rachel Siewert WA | Yes | |
| Mehreen Faruqi NSW | Absent | |
| Nick McKim Tasmania | Absent | |
| Janet Rice Victoria | Absent | |
| Jordon Steele-John WA | Absent | |
| Lidia Thorpe Victoria | Absent | |
| Larissa Waters Queensland | Absent | |
| Peter Whish-Wilson Tasmania | Absent | |
| Australian Labor Party (38% turnout) | 9 Yes – 0 No | |
| Carol Brown Tasmania | Yes | |
| Kim Carr Victoria | Yes | |
| Kristina Keneally NSW | Yes | |
| Jenny McAllister NSW | Yes | |
| Deborah O'Neill NSW | Yes | |
| Helen Polley Tasmania | Yes | |
| Louise Pratt WA | Yes | |
| Anne Urquhart Tasmania | Yes | |
| Murray Watt Queensland | Yes | |
| Tim Ayres NSW | Absent | |
| Catryna Bilyk Tasmania | Absent | |
| Anthony Chisholm Queensland | Absent | |
| Raff Ciccone Victoria | Absent | |
| Patrick Dodson WA | Absent | |
| Don Farrell SA | Absent | |
| Katy Gallagher ACT | Absent | |
| Nita Green Queensland | Absent | |
| Kimberley Kitching Victoria | Absent | |
| Malarndirri McCarthy NT | Absent | |
| Tony Sheldon NSW | Absent | |
| Marielle Smith SA | Absent | |
| Glenn Sterle WA | Absent | |
| Jess Walsh Victoria | Absent | |
| Penny Wong SA | Absent | |
| Stirling Griff SA Centre Alliance | Absent | |
| Sam McMahon NT Country Liberal Party | Absent | |
| Sue Lines WA Deputy President | Yes | |
| Rex Patrick SA Independent | Absent | |
| Jacqui Lambie Tasmania Jacqui Lambie Network | Absent | |
| Liberal National Party (50% turnout) | 0 Yes – 1 No | |
| Matthew Canavan Queensland | No | |
| James McGrath Queensland | Absent | |
| Liberal Party (38% turnout) | 0 Yes – 11 No | |
| Michaelia Cash WA | No | |
| Richard Colbeck Tasmania | No | |
| Hollie Hughes NSW | No | |
| Jane Hume Victoria | No | |
| Matt O'Sullivan WA | No | |
| Marise Payne NSW | No | |
| Linda Reynolds WA | No | |
| Anne Ruston SA | No | |
| Zed Seselja ACT | No | |
| Ben Small WA | No | |
| Dean Smith WA | No | |
| Eric Abetz Tasmania | Absent | |
| Alex Antic SA | Absent | |
| Wendy Askew Tasmania | Absent | |
| Simon Birmingham SA | Absent | |
| Andrew Bragg NSW | Absent | |
| Slade Brockman WA | Absent | |
| Claire Chandler Tasmania | Absent | |
| Jonathon Duniam Tasmania | Absent | |
| David Fawcett SA | Absent | |
| Concetta Fierravanti-Wells NSW | Absent | |
| Sarah Henderson Victoria | Absent | |
| Andrew McLachlan SA | Absent | |
| Jim Molan NSW | Absent | |
| James Paterson Victoria | Absent | |
| Gerard Rennick Queensland | Absent | |
| Paul Scarr Queensland | Absent | |
| Amanda Stoker Queensland | Absent | |
| David Van Victoria | Absent | |
| National Party (67% turnout) | 0 Yes – 2 No | |
| Perin Davey NSW | No | |
| Bridget McKenzie Victoria | No | |
| Susan McDonald Queensland | Absent | |
| Pauline Hanson's One Nation Party (0% turnout) | Absent | |
| Pauline Hanson Queensland | Absent | |
| Malcolm Roberts Queensland | Absent | |
| Scott Ryan Victoria President | Absent | |
| Totals (35% turnout) | 12 Yes – 14 No |
Turnout is the percentage of members eligible to vote that did vote.