edited
5th Aug 2022
Australian Human Rights Commission Legislation Amendment (Selection and Appointment) Bill 2022 - Second Reading - Human Rights Commissioner for LGBTIQA+ people
Passed by a large majority
No rebellions 85% attendance
27th Oct 2022, 1:27 PM – Senate Australian Human Rights Commission Legislation Amendment (Selection and Appointment) Bill 2022 - in Committee - Human Rights Commissioner for LGBTIQA+ people
Summary
EditThe majority voted against amendments introduced by NSW Senator David Shoebridge (Greens), which means they failed.
What do these amendments do?
Senator Shoebridge explained that:
As I indicated in my second reading contribution, these amendments seek to amend the bill to provide for an LGBTIQA+ human rights commissioner. The Greens have been approached by a variety of organisations and community groups, from across the broader law reform community but especially from the LGBTIQA+ community, who have been asking for this for decades. We've been approached by Just.Equal Australia, who raised the very real issue that the reform in the bill just does not go far enough, and that's why we're moving for the well-overdue appointment of a standalone LGBTIQA+ human rights commissioner.
In response, Queensland Senator Anthony Chisholm (Labor) explained that:
We certainly understand the strong sentiment that has been expressed by members of the community over a long period of time now about a dedicated LGBTIQA+ commissioner, but we are of the view, as I mentioned in summing up, that this bill is not the vehicle to create such a position. The government recognises that it's important to consider how the commission can best operate to promote and protect the human rights of all members of the Australian community, including LGBTIQA+ people.
There is no doubt that there will be further discussion on this proposal, as well as other opportunities to strengthen the work of the commission in the future, but the critical issue that this bill will address is restoring the international standing of our commission by urgently addressing the specific issues around transparent and merit based appointments raised by the global alliance to support the commission's reaccreditation. That is what the focus of this bill is today. As I mentioned before, it is not possible to make such changes as this and for it to go back to the House of Representatives.
Votes Not passed by a modest majority
Nobody rebelled against their party.
| Party | Votes | |
|---|---|---|
| Australian Greens (100% turnout) | 12 Yes – 0 No | |
| Penny Allman-Payne Queensland | Yes | |
| Dorinda Cox WA | Yes | |
| Mehreen Faruqi NSW | Yes | |
| Sarah Hanson-Young SA | Yes | |
| Nick McKim Tasmania | Yes | |
| Barbara Pocock SA | Yes | |
| Janet Rice Victoria | Yes | |
| David Shoebridge NSW | Yes | |
| Jordon Steele-John WA | Yes | |
| Lidia Thorpe Victoria | Yes | |
| Larissa Waters Queensland | Yes | |
| Peter Whish-Wilson Tasmania | Yes | |
| Australian Labor Party (80% turnout) | 0 Yes – 20 No | |
| Tim Ayres NSW | No | |
| Catryna Bilyk Tasmania | No | |
| Carol Brown Tasmania | No | |
| Anthony Chisholm Queensland | No | |
| Raff Ciccone Victoria | No | |
| Patrick Dodson WA | No | |
| Don Farrell SA | No | |
| Nita Green Queensland | No | |
| Karen Grogan SA | No | |
| Jenny McAllister NSW | No | |
| Deborah O'Neill NSW | No | |
| Fatima Payman WA | No | |
| Helen Polley Tasmania | No | |
| Louise Pratt WA | No | |
| Tony Sheldon NSW | No | |
| Marielle Smith SA | No | |
| Glenn Sterle WA | No | |
| Anne Urquhart Tasmania | No | |
| Murray Watt Queensland | No | |
| Linda White Victoria | No | |
| Katy Gallagher ACT | Absent | |
| Malarndirri McCarthy NT | Absent | |
| Jana Stewart Victoria | Absent | |
| Jess Walsh Victoria | Absent | |
| Penny Wong SA | Absent | |
| Jacinta Nampijinpa Price NT Country Liberal Party | Absent | |
| Andrew McLachlan SA Deputy President | No | |
| David Pocock ACT Independent | Yes | |
| Jacqui Lambie Network (100% turnout) | 0 Yes – 2 No | |
| Jacqui Lambie Tasmania | No | |
| Tammy Tyrrell Tasmania | No | |
| Liberal National Party (50% turnout) | 0 Yes – 1 No | |
| Matthew Canavan Queensland | No | |
| James McGrath Queensland | Absent | |
| Liberal Party (21% turnout) | 0 Yes – 5 No | |
| Slade Brockman WA | No | |
| Claire Chandler Tasmania | No | |
| David Fawcett SA | No | |
| Sarah Henderson Victoria | No | |
| Matt O'Sullivan WA | No | |
| Alex Antic SA | Absent | |
| Wendy Askew Tasmania | Absent | |
| Simon Birmingham SA | Absent | |
| Andrew Bragg NSW | Absent | |
| Michaelia Cash WA | Absent | |
| Richard Colbeck Tasmania | Absent | |
| Jonathon Duniam Tasmania | Absent | |
| Hollie Hughes NSW | Absent | |
| Jane Hume Victoria | Absent | |
| Kerrynne Liddle SA | Absent | |
| Jim Molan NSW | Absent | |
| James Paterson Victoria | Absent | |
| Marise Payne NSW | Absent | |
| Gerard Rennick Queensland | Absent | |
| Linda Reynolds WA | Absent | |
| Anne Ruston SA | Absent | |
| Paul Scarr Queensland | Absent | |
| Dean Smith WA | Absent | |
| David Van Victoria | Absent | |
| National Party (0% turnout) | Absent | |
| Ross Cadell NSW | Absent | |
| Perin Davey NSW | Absent | |
| Susan McDonald Queensland | Absent | |
| Bridget McKenzie Victoria | Absent | |
| Pauline Hanson's One Nation Party (50% turnout) | 0 Yes – 1 No | |
| Malcolm Roberts Queensland | No | |
| Pauline Hanson Queensland | Absent | |
| Sue Lines WA President | No | |
| Ralph Babet Victoria United Australia Party | Absent | |
| Totals (58% turnout) | 13 Yes – 31 No |
Turnout is the percentage of members eligible to vote that did vote.