Parliament

Senator Hanson Young —I want to go to the conclusion of your submission. You have said that the key reason that you are opposed to the bill is that it is in contradiction to COAG arrangements and would override state and territory law.

ACTING CHAIR —I am confused, we do not have a submission before us.

Senator Hanson Young —One of the things that we have been talking about today is how we can be clearer in labelling to ensure that consumers get the information that they need in order to make an informed choice.

Senator HANSON-YOUNG (South Australia) (10.02 am) - I move:

That the Senate -

(a) recognises the universal human rights of same-sex attracted people to live their lives free from persecution on the basis of their sexuality;

(b) notes the Ugandan Government introduced, on 14 October 2009, the Anti-Homosexuality Bill, a law recriminalising homosexuality and criminalising the promotion of homosexuality in Uganda;

(c) condemns the criminalisation of homosexuality anywhere in the world; and

(Question No. 2124)
Senator Hanson-Young asked the Minister representing the Minister for Foreign Affairs,
upon notice, on 8 September 2009:
With reference to Gedun Choekyi Nyima who was detained by Chinese authorities on 17 May 1995,
aged six, after being recognised by the Dalai Lama as the eleventh Panchen Lama of Tibet:
(1) What efforts has the Australian Government made to obtain information on the health and whereabouts
of Gedun Choekyi Nyima since the former Minister for Foreign Affairs reported to the

(Question No. 2111)
Senator Hanson-Young asked the Minister representing the Minister for the Environment,
Heritage and the Arts, upon notice, on 26 August 2009:
With reference to the grant of $316 532 of public funds provided by the Australian Film Commission
and Film Finance Corporation Australia (now Screen Australia) to the film, Stolen, screened in
June 2009 at the Sydney Film Festival:
(1) Was Screen Australia ever informed of problems related to the production of Stolen.

Senator HANSON-YOUNG (South Australia) (3.48 pm) - I move:

That the Senate -

(a) recognises each senator's role as community leaders and the collective responsibility to conduct debates on matters of public importance in a respectful and accurate manner, using language that is constructive and appropriate;

and

(b) agrees that all debate on the issue of asylum seekers and border protection is framed within the law, terms and definitions of the:

Senator HANSON-YOUNG (2.39 pm)-

My question is to the Minister representing the Prime Minister, Senator Evans. Once the Oceanic Viking reaches the Indonesian port today, what processes have been agreed to for escorting the 78 asylum seekers off board? If they refuse to leave, will Australian officials allow the Indonesian police to come on board and forcibly removed them?

Senator CHRIS EVANS-

SENATOR SARAH HANSON-YOUNG (South Australia)

I rise to contribute to the debate on this
matter of public importance. Sadly, I do not believe
this is necessarily the best forum in which to find a
better solution for managing the mass movement of
people into Australia.

We need to see a constructive
debate which outlines our responsibilities as signatories
to the refugee convention and our responsibility to
Australians who are ashamed of the days of the Tampa.

ACTING CHAIR -We will move to Senator Hanson-Young.

Senator Hanson-Young -Thank you. I have got some questions around the Oceanic Viking incident as well, following on from Senator Barnett's. Firstly I just want to confirm: from what we know, there are 76 asylum seekers on board that vessel at the moment?

Mr Carmody -There are 78 in total.

ACTING CHAIR -We will move to Senator Hanson-Young.

Senator Hanson-Young -Thank you. I have got some questions around the Oceanic Viking incident as well, following on from Senator Barnett's. Firstly I just want to confirm: from what we know, there are 76 asylum seekers on board that vessel at the moment?

Mr Carmody -There are 78 in total.