Parliament

Senator HANSON-YOUNG (South Australia) (15:43): At the request of Senator Siewert, I move:
That, in the opinion of the Senate, the following is a matter of urgency:

The recognition that an increasing majority of the Australian community supports marriage equality and believes it is time for the federal parliament to amend the Marriage Act to provide for this.

(South Australia) (15:48): I move:

That the Senate congratulates the Australian Refugee Council on its 30th anniversary - 30 years of wonderful work, advocacy and promotion of Australia's multicultural society, offering important support to new arrivals and refugees.

Question agreed to.

Senator HANSON-YOUNG (South Australia) (14:25): My question is to the Minister representing the Minister for Home Affairs and the Minister for Justice, Senator Joe Ludwig. In the UK the practice of using X-rays to determine the ages of children for criminal proceedings is unlawful and indeed can lead to practitioners facing criminal charges of assault and professional misconduct.

Senator HANSON»-«YOUNG» (South Australia) (11:01): It is with great pride that I rise today to commend the Clean Energy Bill 2011 and associated bills to the Senate.

Senator HANSON-YOUNG: I move the motion as amended:

Senator HANSON-YOUNG (South Australia) (14:27): My question is to the Minister representing the Minister for Home Affairs and Minister for Justice, Minister Joe Ludwig. Can the government confirm that the Indonesian consulate is currently investigating 40 cases of alleged minors being held in relation to people smuggling in Australian adult jails: 16 cases in Western Australia, two cases in Victoria, 14 in New South Wales, one in the Northern Territory and seven in Queensland?

Senator MILNE: I, and also on behalf of Senator Hansen-Young, move the motion as amended:

Senator HANSON-YOUNG (South Australia) (15:41): I move:
That the Senate expresses its deep concern for the welfare of Iranian actress Ms Marzieh Vefamehr who has been sentenced in Iran to one year in jail and 90 lashings for her role in the South Australian produced film My Tehran For Sale.

Question agreed to.

Senator HANSON-YOUNG (South Australia) (16:05): I move:

That the Senate-
(a) notes the recent motion passed by the Tasmanian Parliament regarding same-sex marriage that stated that the House:
(i) supports marriage equality, and
(ii) calls on the Parliament of the Commonwealth of Australia to amend the Commonwealth Marriage Act 1961 to provide for marriage equality; and
(b) accepts the call for marriage equality.

Senator HANSON-YOUNG (South Australia) (15:52): I move:
That the Senate-

(a) notes the current dismal state of debate on asylum seeker policy in Australia with:
(i) the Prime Minister (Ms Gillard) calling the Leader of the Opposition (Mr Abbott) hypocritical, and
(ii) the Leader of the Opposition (Mr Abbott) calling the Prime Minister (Ms Gillard) hypocritical; and
(b) calls for Australia's international refugee obligations to be respected.
Question put. The Senate divided. [15:53]