25th Feb 2020, 4:03 PM – Senate Motions - Domestic and Family Violence - Ms Bettina Arndt

The majority voted in favour of a motion introduced by NSW Senator Kristina Keneally (Labor), which means it passed. Motions like these don't make any legal changes but are politically influential because they represent the will of the Senate.

Motion text

That the Senate—

(a) notes that:

(i) on the same day that Queensland Police Commissioner, Ms Katarina Carroll, said it was inappropriate to suggest the murder of a woman and her children by her husband could be an instance of a husband being driven too far, Ms Bettina Arndt, who received an Order of Australia honour in January, nonetheless said "keeping an open mind and awaiting proper evidence, including the possibility that Rowan Baxter might have been driven too far",

(ii) the statement of Ms Arndt has the potential to bring the Order of Australia, instituted by Her Majesty The Queen, into disrepute, and

(iii) Order of Australia awards are a privilege and an honour and come with responsibilities; and

(b) agrees that:

(i) Ms Arndt's comments are reckless and abhorrent, and

(ii) the values that underpin Ms Arndt's views on this horrific family violence incident are not consistent with her retaining her Order of Australia.