GreensMPs

Australian lawmakers visit Dharamsala to meet Dalai Lama

TimNorton — Fri, 03 Jul 2009 12:39:57 +1000

Living with detention debt in Australia: video of refugee delegation in Parliament Thursday 25/06/09

GemmaClark — Thu, 02 Jul 2009 16:49:37 +1000

Check out this video by GetUp about the delegation of refugees who visited Parliament House last Thursday, as the legislation to abolish detention debts passed through the House of Representatives. I look forward to voting to repeal this cruel policy when the legislation reaches the Senate in the next parliamentary sitting. Thanks to GetUp for providing the opportunity for federal parliamentarians to meet with Mr and Mrs Shams and Mr Isrith, hear their stories, and see the human faces of this disgraceful element of Australia's recent immigration policy.

Sarah

Greens discuss international student welfare in India

GemmaClark — Wed, 01 Jul 2009 15:55:12 +1000

Greens Senator Sarah Hanson-Young has participated in talks with Indian parliamentarians and journalists about the welfare of international students in Australia, saying the issue is clearly of concern to India.

Senator Hanson-Young is in India this week as part of a cross-party parliamentary delegation visiting Delhi and the Tibetan parliament-in-exile in Dharamsala (the first such delegation to do the latter).

“There is an understanding among the Indian parliamentarians and journalists that I have met with here that the issues affecting Indian students in Australia are more complex than just the recent vicious attacks in Melbourne and Sydney,” said Senator Hanson-Young from Delhi today.

“The Senate Inquiry I established last month will allow the Australian parliament to unpick just what those complexities are.

“The Greens hope the open, accessible and transparent process of a Senate Inquiry will throw a spotlight onto the realities, positive and negative, of Australia’s burgeoning international education sector.

“The Senate Inquiry should also highlight some solutions to move forward from the current situation, not only for the sake of international student welfare in Australia, but also our country’s reputation when it comes to international education.”

Senator Hanson-Young said the high level of concern in India over the treatment of its students in Australia was evident, with the Indian Supreme Court this week directing the Government there to investigate the safety of Indian students overseas.

“I look forward to returning to Australia with a deeper understanding of how Indian families feel about their children living and studying in Australia under the present circumstances,” she said.

Written submissions have opened for the Senate Education, Employment and Workplace Relations’ Committee’s Inquiry into the welfare of international students. The Inquiry is due to report back by 16 November 2009.

More info: http://www.aph.gov.au/Senate/committee/eet_ctte/international_students/index.htm

Murray mess requires national takeover

GemmaClark — Fri, 26 Jun 2009 11:50:17 +1000

Greens Senator Sarah Hanson-Young says South Australia’s Lower Lakes and Coorong have been let down by long-term poor management that must be counter-acted by a national takeover of the Murray-Darling river system.

“The mess that the Murray is in shows that having multiple jurisdictions trying to manage our national waterway just doesn’t work,” said Senator Hanson-Young.“The river does not recognise state borders.

“We need one set of rules for one river system, and an authority with the teeth to manage it properly.

“The battle for the Lower Lakes’ survival is not just for South Australia to fight alone.

“The South Australian Government’s efforts haven’t managed to do the job, so intervention from above is needed.

“The Rudd Government must step in with a national takeover of our national river system, before it is all too late.”

Second Reading Speech: Marriage Equality Amendment Bill 2009

GemmaClark — Wed, 24 Jun 2009 17:33:25 +1000

The Marriage Equality Amendment Bill 2009 will remove all discrimination from the Marriage Act 1961 on the basis of sexuality and gender identity, to permit marriage regardless of sex, sexuality and gender identity.

The Australian Greens believe that discrimination such as that espoused by the current Marriage Act 1961 must be overturned to ensure that freedom of sexuality and gender identity are recognised as fundamental human rights, and that acceptance and celebration of diversity are essential components for genuine social justice and equality to exist.

Only last week, a new poll, commissioned by Australian Marriage Equality, and conducted by Galaxy, highlighted that three in five Australians are in support of the right of same-sex couples to marry, with 58 per cent arguing that Australian law should recognise same-sex marriages that are legal in other countries.

Surely the argument espoused by many that marriage equality does not have the support of the majority of Australian’s is now redundant.

It is clear that it is time for the federal parliament to catch up with public opinion and move to make same-sex marriage legal.

Forward thinking companies, such as Westpac, Telstra, the Commonwealth Bank, Qantas, IBM and Seek have all extended benefits and entitlements to all employees, regardless of their partner’s gender, including the recognition of same-sex marriage.

So why the delay from a Government who should be leading the progression of social policy, not floundering well behind?

Two years ago, former Greens Senator Kerry Nettle, introduced the Marriage (Relationships Equality) Amendment Bill 2007, on which this Bill is based, aiming to remove from the Marriage Act 1961 discrimination on the basis of sexuality and gender identity, and to permit marriage regardless of sexuality and gender identity.

The purpose of the Marriage Equality Amendment Bill is to recognise that freedom of sexuality and gender identity are fundamental human rights, as well as promoting acceptance and the celebration of diversity.

Those opposed to same-sex unions argue that it would destroy the ‘sanctity’ of the institution. In countries which have recognised same-sex unions for a reasonable period of time, heterosexual marriage still exists and the institution has not fallen into disarray.

Despite some old-style criticism based on discrimination, the sky has not fallen in.

Many other Western countries, such as Canada, the Netherlands, Sweden, Belgium, Norway, Spain, South Africa, and many states in the United States already recognise same-sex marriage as a reality, proving that Australia would not be the first to take this step, instead we would be following a global trend in ensuring that marriage is available to all – regardless of ones sexuality.

It is outrageous to think that someone who was legally married in Canada can step off the plane at Sydney International Airport and no longer be considered married under Australian law.

Recently a couple from Victoria, who have been together for nine years, wrote to my office in support of the Greens’ moves to introduce a Bill to remove discrimination from the Marriage Act, highlighting the importance of being able to marry here in Australia.

The following is an excerpt from Rodney and Jeff’s story:

“We will marry. That we are certain of. Unfortunately, it won’t be in Australia. Unfortunately, it won’t be recognised by our Government. Marriage equality is needed in Australia to meet the obligation that all members of Parliament claim, that is equality.

I urge that you pass this message on to your colleagues in the House and Senate, and remind them that we are real people, with real families, we pay real taxes and contribute to our community....and we deserve equality.”

Jen and Julia have also expressed their support for the Greens pursuing marriage equality, voicing their distress at not being legally recognised as a couple in their home country.

“In Canada, we will be legal spouses, but once we return to Australia our marriage ceases to be acknowledged for all legalities as defined in the Australian Marriage Act.

Canada and Australia are as rich as they are culturally diverse. It is our hope that Australia follows Canada's Civil Marriage Act and redefines civil marriage rights to same-sex couples living in this country, so our marriage can be celebrated and recognised in Australian law, as it is in our second home 'Canada'.”

These two stories, along with thousands of others, highlight just how discriminatory the Marriage Act can be for those same-sex couples who are engaged in a loving and committed relationship, voluntarily entered into for life, and denied the basic right afforded to married heterosexual couples.

While in the past year there have been some historic leaps forward in terms of removing discrimination against same-sex couples in Australian law, there remains one glaring omission from those advances – marriage.

It is time for the Government to start sending the message that all Australians are to be treated fairly and equally, regardless of their sexual orientation.

The community are streets ahead of the legislature in recognising the rights of same-sex couples to marry, and it is time for the major parties to listen to the voters of Australia, and finally extend the legal right to marry to all.

I commend the Bill to the Senate.

Greens introduce equal marriage bill

GemmaClark — Wed, 24 Jun 2009 12:11:38 +1000

Greens Senator Sarah Hanson-Young will today introduce a private member’s bill to grant same-sex couples equal marriage rights in Australia, and table along with it a 30,000-strong petition in support of legalising same-sex marriage.

The Marriage Act was amended under the Howard Government in 2004 to specify that marriage could be only a union between a man and a woman. Results of a Galaxy poll commissioned by Australian Marriage Equality released last week showed 60 per cent of Australians agree that same-sex couples should be allowed to marry in Australia.

“The Greens’ Marriage Equality Amendment Bill can bring Australia into the league of other forward-thinking nations who recognise that all couples should enjoy the right to marry,” said Senator Hanson-Young, Greens spokesperson on sexuality and gender identity.

“While last year we saw some historic leaps and bounds in removing discrimination against same-sex couples within this country’s federal laws, there was a glaring omission from that suite of legislation: marriage.

“It’s well and truly time our parliament rights this wrong and legislates for true equality.”

The Greens’ Bill will also repeal the prohibition of the recognition of same-sex marriages entered into overseas.

“It’s ridiculous that a same-sex couple married in Canada, for example, can step off the plane at Sydney International Airport and have their marriage considered invalid,” she said.

Senator Hanson-Young said the Australian community was broadly supportive of equal marriage, citing polls, petitions, and community attitudes

“I’ll be tabling a petition of over 30,000 signatures in support of equal marriage rights this afternoon when I introduce the Bill,” she said.

“The Rudd Government can no longer hide behind the lame excuse of the community not being ready for same-sex marriages happening in Australia – it’s the Rudd Government who needs to catch up with public understanding.

“Australia cannot truly hold its head up high while exhorting the virtue of acceptance and celebrating diversity without equal marriage laws.”

Lower Lakes still waiting for $10m bioremediation lifeline

GemmaClark — Tue, 23 Jun 2009 15:50:15 +1000

Greens Senator Sarah Hanson-Young says the federal Minister for Water must inform South Australia’s Lower Lakes communities about when they can expect $10 million worth of bioremediation programs to be rolled out.

The Greens negotiated $10 million of new money for bioremediation as part of the February stimulus package. Bioremediation is planting or mulching of soil that has become acidic due to drying out, trials of which have proven successful for the Lower Lakes.

“The window of opportunity is closing to make a real difference to the Lower Lakes,” said Senator Hanson-Young.

“I asked Minister Wong today for an update on the implementation of bioremediation programs, as promised by the Government at the Greens’ request in the last stimulus package.

“However, the Minister could not provide me with a solid commitment on when the programs will be implemented, or when the local green jobs involved will be created.

“This bioremediation lifeline was negotiated back in February, and it’s now June. The Lakes cannot wait.”

Senator Hanson-Young said the program should be implemented as soon as possible, given the success of bioremediation trials in the area.

“Seeding for bioremediation must happen sooner rather than later, to buy the Lower Lakes some precious time.

“Local green jobs should also be prioritised for this Government, with its ‘jobs, jobs, jobs’ mantra.

“The $10 million bioremediation program, like other water programs negotiated as part of the stimulus package, must be rolled out as soon as possible to help those who are struggling to keep afloat in the lower reaches of the Murray.”

Second reading speech: Carbon Pollution Reduction Scheme legislation

GemmaClark — Tue, 23 Jun 2009 14:07:13 +1000

I rise to speak to the Government’s Carbon Pollution Reduction Scheme legislation, and indicate my disappointment in the model and approach that the Rudd Government has taken, particularly when we have seen 12 years of disastrous inaction from the coalition who continue to ignore the need for urgent action and some who continue to espouse climate change scepticism.

The Greens cannot and will not support a scheme that is environmentally ineffective and economically inefficient.

What we are prepared to support, is the unconditional commitment to a 25% target – the bare minimum required by science and the global community – which would go some way in repairing the damage that years of inaction, ignorance and cynicism we have inflicted on our planet and future generations.

Sadly the Government is not listening to the science or to the community on this one, continuing to promote its 5% target as the most ideal and economically responsible model to combat climate change.

As my colleague, Senator Christine Milne has highlighted on a number if occasions, committing to a minimum 5% target is worse than useless when 25% is the bare minimum required by science and the global community.

It is locking us in to fail.

Failure to take the action that is needed.

Failure to clean up the mess that has been created.

And a failure to commit to a leading role in assisting those countries hardest hit by the effects of climate change in terms of water and food security, sea level rise and extreme weather events.

Given we are already seeing the affects of climate change on our Pacific neighbours, with Tuvalu and Kiribati already facing rising sea levels and the prospect of being forced to migrate as their homelands become unhabitable, when will the Australian Government stop thinking about profits for the big polluters and start focussing on the social, economic and environmental costs to the global community?

The fact that our Pacific Island neighbours have made virtually no contribution to greenhouse pollution, yet are now faced with becoming the first victims of climate change, with the Stern Report estimating that close to 200 million people could be displaced by climate change by 2050, we must do more.

If the British Government can produce a map of regions likely to be at risk from floods due to the increase in sea levels from climate change, then surely the Australian Government should be following suit, particularly given we are seeing the islands in the Pacific sinking before our eyes.

Predictions of flooding and erosions of our coastal towns and cities as a result of sea level rise leaves little to be desired for families currently living on the eastern seaboard and even in my home town of Adelaide.

As I said in my inaugural speech in this place almost a year ago, we must see an end to the mantra of business as usual. We need decisive and immediate action to alleviate greenhouse gas emissions, and we must see a commitment to greater emission reduction targets that will go in some way to reduce the extent and severity of the impacts of climate change.

Surely we are all of the same opinion that this world we are currently living in, is just not sustainable? We need a transformation and a willingness to do things differently, and we must listen to the concerns and views of our youth, who have inherited a planet much less fortunate than many in this place, and who will be the ones who are forced to sweep up the mess of inaction and ineffective policy.

It is always most interesting to find that the biggest climate change skeptics and critics out there, are the ones that won’t have to deal with the consequences of inaction and ineffective policy. It is the future of our young Australians that is at stake, and it is time for those on my right, to stand up and acknowledge the need for action, action to protect our future generations.

As the youngest woman ever elected to this place and the youngest person elected in almost a century, I stand here today, voicing the concerns of the young people of Australia. I am standing up to say: let's challenge ‘business as usual' to recognise that Australia can make the transition from a resource-dependent economy to a clean, green and clever economy that puts respect for each other and respect for the environment at the centre of politics.

The Greens recognise that, if we get that action right, we can seize tremendous opportunities to make Australia a better, fairer, healthier and happier place to live.

Climate change will impact most significantly on the poorest and most disadvantaged in our communities, particularly those living in developing countries and regions. The most vulnerable to the effect of climate change are women and children. They are the most likely to be displaced, suffer from a lack of food and water security, and be caught in the cross-fire of conflict as the fight over the world’s precious resources intensifies.

But in communities right around the world, and here in Australia, women and young people are leading the way in helping organise their communities to mitigate climate change, change their daily lives to become more energy efficient, and educate each other in the best way forward to protect the future of their own children and the future generations.

When we hear stories of women and young people working to alleviate the effects of climate change in their individual communities, it is utterly astounding to think that the Government, who is already giving $7.4 billion in compensation to Australia’s biggest polluters, wants to give them even more.

Every dollar that compensates polluters is a dollar less for the community, and a dollar less for fighting the effects of climate change.

The Rudd Labor Government was elected in 2007 off the back of a promise to deliver real action on climate change in transitioning Australia into a low carbon economy. Yet what we have before us here today is a flawed policy that the Greens cannot and will not support in its current form.

As a Mother, and a young woman, who has many years ahead, I feel a deep obligation that I continue to work for a cleaner, greener and more secure planet than was left for me. I have no other choice but to ensure that I work as hard as I can to help make my local community and my global community a safer, fairer and prosperous place, for my daughter and the many generations that are to come.

Australia cannot afford to delay any longer on emissions trading. The future of our children, grandchildren and their children is at stake, and committing to a half-hearted attempt at reducing the effects of climate change is simply not good enough.

In 2050, I will be 69 and my daughter will be 43, and I shudder to think what type of planet we will be living on if we don’t make the deep cuts to emissions we know is needed now.

For those of us participating in this historic debate today, knowing the facts, the science and the need for action, we must take responsibility and make the changes necessary to avoid dangerous climate change.

As representatives of our community, we cannot claim after the fact that we did not know. We have been warned, and a failure to act, is a failure that this Government will carry for years to come.

I for one will ensure my daughter knows that I have done everything I can, and will continue to, to protect her future, and the future of our young Australians.

Debate on standing order in respect to visitors on the Senate floor

GemmaClark — Mon, 22 Jun 2009 19:22:52 +1000

I don’t wish to debate the merits of this motion directly as I have an interest in the matter and I will leave the discussion of this proposed change to others in this chamber. But because this has come about from the incident involving my daughter and me on Thursday afternoon I felt it was necessary to put on the record what actually happened.

There have been many things said about what happened last Thursday afternoon here in this place when, during the vote on the Greens’ Junk Food Bill, I was asked to remove my two-year-old daughter Kora, who I had brought into the chamber for a very brief period of time. Many of the things said are incorrect, false and in some cases just plain nasty. Most of these misinformed comments and attacks are by people who were not here to witness the incident themselves and have not bothered to contact me to find out the facts.

I wanted to, for the sake of getting the facts straight, put on record what happened and why I believe we need a mature discussion about how we, as parliamentarians and representatives of our diverse communities, manage these issues better in the future.

For the record: As a senator, I am very privileged to be able to bring my daughter to Canberra from Adelaide on the weeks that parliament is sitting. I employ a nanny who travels with us so I am able to continue working, knowing that my daughter has the best possible care while I am busy working and representing my electorate. I am not unique in doing this; other members of parliament and senators have in the past done just the same. As a parent of a young child it would be impossible to do this job without the help of childcare, both in Parliament House and back in my home electorate.

When we are here in Canberra, Kora comes into Parliament House where the nanny cares for her here so, during long days stretching from 7am until late in the night, I am able to grab what time I can to see her on lunch breaks and dinner breaks.

It was around 4.45pm last Thursday that I had taken my daughter Kora for a quick walk around the building to say goodbye to her before she left with her nanny back to Adelaide to spend the next few days with her father. They were leaving the building at 4.55. This goodbye ritual is something we do every Thursday before she flies back to Adelaide, just me and her. We often drop by my colleagues’ offices and the walk past the chamber, and Kora says goodbye to them as well.

The bells started ringing during this time and I realised I would not be able to drop Kora back upstairs at my office - where the nanny was packing her toys ready to leave the building - and get back down to the chamber in time to vote on a Bill which I believed was important.

I believe as senators we have a responsibility to attend every vote, and must attempt to be on time on every occasion, not just when the numbers are close. I have not missed a vote in this place as yet, and I wasn’t about to start that afternoon.

Knowing that the vote would only take a few minutes and I was about to not see Kora for a day or so, I simply brought her onto the chamber floor to sit quietly next to me while my vote was counted. Unlike formal debate or question time, a division only takes a matter of minutes and is more like a head count than formal proceedings. Senators chat away, sitting in other people’s seats – the only rule is you don’t move, so you can’t be double-counted. The vote would be over in a matter of minutes, we would be able to dash out of the chamber, and Kora could go off in the car to the airport, back home to see her dad, and I could go back to my office to work.

I had in the past been caught on my own with Kora, spending a short break between meetings and debates outside of my office, when the bells had rung for a vote and I had gone straight to the chamber, not wanting to miss my vote being counted. On both previous occasions, my staff had run downstairs to take my daughter for me but the doors were locked and Kora and I were stuck inside. No one, including the President, had raised this with me as an issue. On each of these occasions I left the chamber immediately after the vote, being in there only for a matter of 4-5 minutes, and gave Kora back to her nanny, so I could get back to work on Senate business.

It is important to note that I am not the first senator to do this. And as I understand, in the other chamber, the House of Representatives, members of parliament have brought their children into the chamber with them for votes, not often but occasionally, and there has been no cause of harm. In fact, in the mid-1990s, a senator who is still sitting today was able to bring her young son into the chamber in an emergency, under the-then President’s ruling.

For some reason, last Thursday was different. When the President asked Kora to be removed I was surprised that all of a sudden the rule was being enforced with little warning or conversation. As I got up to take her to the back of the room, hoping my staff had seen what had happened and were running down to take her for me, the President kept insisting, despite my attempts to find someone to give her to without disrupting the vote. Luckily by then my staff had reached the doors and I passed my daughter to them. But through all the kerfuffle of the President’s orders and people trying to take her from me (trying to help I must add), Kora become quite upset with being taken from my arms and then locked outside. I, of course, became quite upset as well. For those of you who were here, I think you can all agree that the brief time it took to count the votes was extremely tense in this place. And yet there was no need for it to have transpired like that. My daughter was not disturbing anyone, she was only there for a few short minutes. She only become upset and cried once she was taken from me.

I think the process of how all of this occurred could have been handled better. A little flexibility for a couple of minutes, at a time when senators are usually chatting away loudly as formal debate is on hold, is all that was required. I am thankful that upon reflection that Mr. President, you too have acknowledged this could have been handled better. I welcome the opportunity for us to discuss the appropriateness and the need for both enforcement of standing orders and flexibility, based on common sense.

I hope that as mature, intelligent and caring members of this chamber, who all represent diverse sections of our community, we can move forward with these issues and I hope that the incident on Thursday and the experience my daughter and I have had as a result over the past few days is not repeated.

Yes, there are rules, and there are rules for a reason. The Senate is a serious workplace (I wish some members would take that on board during question time). We make laws here, we represent our people, we make decisions that are integral to the running of our great nation. Rules are needed and need to be respected, of course, and with that, we must all use commonsense.

I am not arguing, and never have argued, that children, or any other non-senators for that matter should be present during the normal proceedings of Parliament. I do not believe it is appropriate that the Senate become a crèche, far from it. I have never suggested that we all bring our kids into the chamber for debates, or while we give speeches, or question time.

But on the rare occasion, just like when we bend the rules to recommit a vote for a senator who missed getting to the chamber in time, perhaps allowing a little flexibility to a small child who is caught spending a few short minutes with their mum or dad, when the only thing their parent needs to do is sit still on the right side of the chamber and be counted, isn’t such a bad thing. It wouldn’t happen often, and hopefully not at all, but if it does, let’s not be so rigid in this place that we condemn senators who are also parents, and who take both jobs as seriously as each other.

There is indeed an element of cynicism in politics, yet suggestions - from some who were not even present in the chamber at the time and didn’t show up to the vote themselves - that what happened to my daughter and I on Thursday was some kind of stunt are offensive and ignorant.

It is this type of cynicism and crass commentary that implies our parliaments should not be reflective of the communities we represent, and dismisses the responsibility of all parliamentarians to promote respect for others in different circumstances and the importance of family and family values.

Greens recognise World Refugee Day with hope of abolishing detention debts

GemmaClark — Sat, 20 Jun 2009 12:16:22 +1000

The Greens have recognised World Refugee Day today, saying it should mark the start of better immigration policy and protection of human rights in Australia, including the abolition of detention debts.

“Today on World Refugee Day we recognise struggle but celebrate survival, courage and humanity,” said Senator Sarah Hanson-Young, Greens spokesperson for Human Rights.

“Whenever I listen to the stories of those who have sought refuge in Australia, from places as far away as Sudan, Vietnam or Afghanistan, I am constantly inspired by the courage these people demonstrate to seek protection for their families.

“Today we should celebrate the rich diversity of our community brought about by groups of refugees over the years."

Senator Hanson-Young acknowledged the rise in displaced people around the world.

“Australia too has noticed the rise in people seeking refuge from around the world in recent months,” she said.

“Like all safe, secure, and lucky nations, we have a responsibility to offer protection to those seeking assistance.

“While we’ve seen a shift to a more humane approach to treating the world’s most vulnerable people, who are prepared to seek refuge by risking a dangerous passage to our shores, Australia still has a long way to go.

“For example, we still punish people for seeking refuge via boat, even when they have no other choice but to do so.”

Senator Hanson-Young said the Greens were looking forward to debating the Government’s legislation next week to abolish debts for immigration detainees who are granted refugee status.

“I look forward to voting to remove this harmful policy, that simply adds insult to injury for people who have done nothing wrong; done nothing but seek freedom and safety for their families,” she said.

“The Greens urge the Senate to make this year’s World Refugee Day the signpost to a more humane way forward for Australia’s immigration policy.”