THE HON MARK DREYFUS QC MP
SHADOW ATTORNEY-GENERAL
SHADOW MINISTER FOR NATIONAL SECURITY
MEMBER FOR ISAACS
SENATE MOTION WHERE IS PORTER?
Christian Porter's statement today explaining his role in the government's decision to support the appalling Hanson motion endorsing a key catchphrase used by the white supremacy movement, is flimsy and inadequate at best.
It is not good enough for Mr Porter to hide behind Senator Cormann, who claims Senators accidentally voted for the motion due to an administrative error.
Nor is it good enough for Mr Porter to hide behind his staff.
Senator Hanson gave notice of this motion on September 19. Porter had 25 days to read the motion and make a decision on whether to support or oppose it.
As Attorney-General, Christian Porter is in charge of the Racial Discrimination Act and interpreting other complex legislation. Does he seriously expect Australians to believe that he couldn't interpret what Senator Hanson's motion meant?
Mr Porter needs to front up and take responsibility for this himself.
Up until late last night, Christian Porter was still trying to justify the governments decision on Twitter, with Leader of the Senate Mathias Cormann himself, following suit.
This is not something the government can just shrug off. This is government Senators being seen to endorse a battle cry of the white supremacy movement inside the Australian Parliament. It is appalling.
This is not just a deeply embarrassing moment for the Coalition, but also for the country.
The voters of Wentworth should ask themselves can they endorse a government with these sorts of values, with Senators who don't even know what they're supposed to be voting for?
TUESDAY, 16 OCTOBER 2018
