MARK DREYFUS MP

MARK DREYFUS MP
SHADOW ATTORNEY-GENERAL
SHADOW MINISTER FOR NATIONAL SECURITY
MEMBER FOR ISAACS

TIMES UP MORRISON SIGN THE CODE

Today, new members of Labor's Caucus will add their names to the Parliamentarians Code of Race and Cultural Ethics, signed by all caucus members in 2016.

Disappointingly, Scott Morrison is yet to even commit to putting the Code to his own joint party room, or say that he himself will sign.

It has been five days since Bill Shorten wrote to Scott Morrison with a copy of the code, requesting that he join with Labor to make an important symbolic statement to acknowledge that we, as parliamentarians, have a responsibility to take care with our words and actions. To have both major parties sign the code would send an important message we will not stand for racist or bigoted attitudes within our Parliament.

Mr Morrison's silence on this matter is mystifying. It should be a simple matter, requiring some basic leadership from the Prime Minister on this important issue. The text of the Code is as follows:

As a member of the Australian Federal Parliament I agree:

1. To act in a manner which upholds the honour of public office and the Parliament;
2. To respect the religious and cultural beliefs of all groups living within Australia in accordance with the Universal Declaration of Human Rights;
3. To uphold principles of justice and tolerance within our multicultural society making efforts to generate understanding of all minority groups;
4. To recognise and value diversity as an integral part of Australia's social and economic future;
5. To help without discrimination all persons seeking assistance;
6. To speak and write in a manner which provides factual commentary on a foundation of truth about all issues being debated in the community and the Parliament;
7. To encourage the partnership of government and non-government organisations in leading constructive and informed debate in the community;
8. To recognise the significance of Indigenous culture and to promote reconciliation with and constitutional recognition of Indigenous Australians.

It's clear the coalition joint party room is deeply split on the issue of One Nation preferences. Surely it cannot be split on the basic question of whether racism should be allowed in our Parliament.

It's time for Mr Morrison to make a public commitment to the Code and show some leadership.

MONDAY, 1 APRIL 2019