12th Nov 2020, 12:13 PM – Senate Motions - Australian Languages - Role of English in Australia
Summary
EditThe same number of senators voted for and against an amended motion introduced by Victorian Senator Lidia Thorpe (Greens), which means it failed.
Motion text
That the Senate agrees that:
(a) Australia is a multicultural, multilingual society in which hundreds of languages are spoken;
(b) at least 250 Indigenous languages were spoken on this continent long before colonisation, and many continue to be spoken today;
(c) the Australian citizenship booklet 'Our common bond' contains claims that English is Australia's national language, which have been repeated by the acting Immigration Minister in advocating for onerous new English language proficiency requirements for partner visa applicants and permanent resident sponsors; and
(d) English is the de facto national language but Australians speak many languages at home and at work.
Votes Not passed
Nobody rebelled against their party.
| Party | Votes | |
|---|---|---|
| Australian Greens (89% turnout) | 8 Yes – 0 No | |
| Mehreen Faruqi NSW | Yes | |
| Sarah Hanson-Young SA | Yes | |
| Nick McKim Tasmania | Yes | |
| Janet Rice Victoria | Yes | |
| Rachel Siewert WA | Yes | |
| Lidia Thorpe Victoria | Yes | |
| Larissa Waters Queensland | Yes | |
| Peter Whish-Wilson Tasmania | Yes | |
| Jordon Steele-John WA | Absent | |
| Australian Labor Party (64% turnout) | 16 Yes – 0 No | |
| Tim Ayres NSW | Yes | |
| Kim Carr Victoria | Yes | |
| Anthony Chisholm Queensland | Yes | |
| Raff Ciccone Victoria | Yes | |
| Patrick Dodson WA | Yes | |
| Don Farrell SA | Yes | |
| Katy Gallagher ACT | Yes | |
| Jenny McAllister NSW | Yes | |
| Malarndirri McCarthy NT | Yes | |
| Helen Polley Tasmania | Yes | |
| Louise Pratt WA | Yes | |
| Tony Sheldon NSW | Yes | |
| Glenn Sterle WA | Yes | |
| Anne Urquhart Tasmania | Yes | |
| Jess Walsh Victoria | Yes | |
| Murray Watt Queensland | Yes | |
| Catryna Bilyk Tasmania | Absent | |
| Carol Brown Tasmania | Absent | |
| Alex Gallacher SA | Absent | |
| Nita Green Queensland | Absent | |
| Kristina Keneally NSW | Absent | |
| Kimberley Kitching Victoria | Absent | |
| Deborah O'Neill NSW | Absent | |
| Marielle Smith SA | Absent | |
| Penny Wong SA | Absent | |
| Stirling Griff SA Centre Alliance | Yes | |
| Sam McMahon NT Country Liberal Party | No | |
| Sue Lines WA Deputy President | Yes | |
| Rex Patrick SA Independent | Yes | |
| Jacqui Lambie Tasmania Jacqui Lambie Network | Yes | |
| Liberal National Party (100% turnout) | 0 Yes – 2 No | |
| Matthew Canavan Queensland | No | |
| James McGrath Queensland | No | |
| Liberal Party (68% turnout) | 0 Yes – 19 No | |
| Eric Abetz Tasmania | No | |
| Alex Antic SA | No | |
| Claire Chandler Tasmania | No | |
| David Fawcett SA | No | |
| Concetta Fierravanti-Wells NSW | No | |
| Hollie Hughes NSW | No | |
| Jane Hume Victoria | No | |
| Andrew McLachlan SA | No | |
| Jim Molan NSW | No | |
| Matt O'Sullivan WA | No | |
| James Paterson Victoria | No | |
| Marise Payne NSW | No | |
| Gerard Rennick Queensland | No | |
| Anne Ruston SA | No | |
| Paul Scarr Queensland | No | |
| Zed Seselja ACT | No | |
| Dean Smith WA | No | |
| Amanda Stoker Queensland | No | |
| David Van Victoria | No | |
| Wendy Askew Tasmania | Absent | |
| Simon Birmingham SA | Absent | |
| Andrew Bragg NSW | Absent | |
| Slade Brockman WA | Absent | |
| Michaelia Cash WA | Absent | |
| Richard Colbeck Tasmania | Absent | |
| Jonathon Duniam Tasmania | Absent | |
| Sarah Henderson Victoria | Absent | |
| Linda Reynolds WA | Absent | |
| National Party (100% turnout) | 0 Yes – 3 No | |
| Perin Davey NSW | No | |
| Susan McDonald Queensland | No | |
| Bridget McKenzie Victoria | No | |
| Pauline Hanson's One Nation Party (100% turnout) | 0 Yes – 2 No | |
| Pauline Hanson Queensland | No | |
| Malcolm Roberts Queensland | No | |
| Scott Ryan Victoria President | No | |
| Totals (75% turnout) | 28 Yes – 28 No |
Turnout is the percentage of members eligible to vote that did vote.