Today is the International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination – a fitting day to receive a petition from 1.3 million people which clearly says we will not tolerate bigotry and racism.
I will be tabling it in the senate as soon as parliament resumes in April #IDERD
There is a reason why this petition is the biggest online petition in Australia. People are angry and frustrated that our political system has allowed a politician to spread such division and hate.
Anning has well and truly crossed the line. He does not deserve to be in parliament. The @Greens are exploring every option to suspend him from Parliament. I have no doubt the community will make sure he is not re-elected in May.
*Full statement on the NZ Royal Commission Report*
The Aotearoa New Zealand Royal Commission report into the Christchurch terrorist attack makes for disturbing reading. While there is still much to digest, a few things are clear at this point:
This was a terrorist attack committed by an Australian man who the report says was “driven by an extreme right-wing Islamophobic ideology”. Any denial or obfuscation of this simple fact is an insult to the victims.
The report’s findings & recommendations should be taken seriously in Australia, where the terrorist lived for most of his life. There are lessons here for the way we approach terrorism, security, online extremism, racial & religious hatred, social cohesion, & gun control
There is absolutely no case for drilling dirty fossil fuels off the beautiful coastline of New South Wales.
It was fantastic to be on a unity ticket with MPs from all sides of politics calling for federal Minister Pitt and NSW Minister Barilaro to reject PEP-11.
Huge thanks to Save Our Coast, the Surfrider Foundation everyone in the community who has been campaigning courageously to protect their coast, oceans and climate.
Drilling for fossil fuels risks irreversible damage to our coasts, oceans and the wonderful marine life that lives within. It will hurt local industries and communities that depend on our oceans and coasts.
It is a devastating prospect for our environment and climate.
The gambling-fuelled racing industry cannot be trusted or fixed. It’s time is up. We have to shut it down.
Over the years we’ve had assurances from racing authorities that they would take animal welfare seriously. More investigations, more commitments. There is no evidence that they have learned a single thing.
I stand with the Kashmiri community as they commemorate Black Day.
Kashmir is a disputed territory and it is now over a year since the Indian Government revoked its special status and further eroded Kashmiris’ right to self-determination.
Kashmir remains in lockdown and access to high speed internet is still blocked by the Indian Government.
The Indian Government must restore basic human rights in Kashmir, including freedom of speech. The Indian Government must withdraw its troops, end the restrictions placed on leaders, end arbitrary detentions and disappearances, and allow humanitarian organisations access.
Tomorrow the Liberals will push 1.8 million people below the poverty line by slashing the coronavirus supplement. At the same time they're planning more tax cuts for the rich.
Here's a thread of Aus PMs with billionaires and some income support facts. (Gina Rinehart, $15.3b)
With the stroke of a pen, ScoMo is more than halving the $550 a fortnight supplement. This cuts Youth Allowance too. And don't forget that Scott Morrison left disabled people and carers entirely out of the COVID stimulus package.
(Harry Triguboff, $9.3b)
With income support above the poverty line in recent months, recipients have reported eating properly for the first time in years, being able to find proper housing and a sense of security they didn't have before.
That's all being ripped away tomorrow. (Anthony Pratt, $7.2b)
The message from today's Senate Inquiry into Scott Morrison's plan is clear: the government needs to withdraw the bill and go back to the drawing board.
This important inquiry has brought to light widespread discontent across the sector. Students will face substantial fee increases and universities will have billions cut from their funding if this bill proceeds.