13th Sep 2018, 11:57 AM – Senate Motions - Racial Discrimination Act 1975 - Appointment of new Commissioner

The majority voted against a motion introduced by Senator Cory Bernardi, which means it failed.

Motion text

That the Senate—

(a) notes that 15 September marks the anniversary of the Racial Hatred Act 1995, through which section 18C was inserted making it an offence to offend, insult, humiliate or intimidate another person on racial grounds;

(b) further notes that the position of Race Discrimination Commissioner fell vacant in August 2018;

(c) also notes that the Institute of Public Affairs stated in a research brief, distributed to members and senators in May, that the Commissioner's role fulfils no substantive function, is merely one of political advocacy and promotes division in the community; and

(d) calls upon the Federal Government to refrain from appointing a new Commissioner or, if it does so, ensure that it appoints someone who will:

(i) unite Australians around Australian values, and

(ii) refrain from publicly campaigning or advocating that Australians make complaints to the Australian Human Rights Commission under section 18C.