14th Feb 2017 – Senate Motions - Q Society Fundraiser - Condemn racism & homophobia

The majority voted in favour of a motion introduced by Labor Party MP Sam Dastyari, which means it succeeded.

Motions like these don't have any legal force - they don't change our laws or force the Government to do anything - but they do represent the will of the Senate and so can be politically influential.

This motion called for all parliamentarians to condemn the racist and homophobic remarks and sentiments made at the Q Society of Australia fundraiser in Sydney, which Liberal Party MP George Christensen attended.

Motion text

That the Senate—

(a) notes speakers at a Q Society of Australia Inc fundraiser in Sydney said "I can't stand Muslims", "The NSW Division of the Liberal Party is basically a gay club" and, in relation to ISIS, "They are not all bad, they do chuck pillow­ biters off buildings";

(b) notes the Government was represented at the fundraiser by the Member for Dawson;

(c) rejects these comments which have no place in modern Australia or respectful political discourse; and

(d) calls on all parliamentarians to repudiate such remarks and sentiments.