Human Rights (Parliamentary Scrutiny) Amendment (Consideration of UNDRIP) Bill 2023

Stage by Stage

Summaries in reported speech - not a transcript. In date order, both chambers.

1. Thursday 13 February 2025 · Senate

   Second Reading

   The Senate debated a bill to require the Parliamentary Joint Committee on Human Rights to consider the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP) when scrutinising legislation. Independent Senator Lidia Thorpe moved the bill, arguing it was a necessary step to uphold First Nations rights and criticising the government for inaction. Labor and Greens senators opposed the bill, with Labor arguing that the government was already implementing UNDRIP principles through the National Agreement on Closing the Gap and that the committee report on UNDRIP was still under consideration. The Greens supported the bill's intent but highlighted worsening outcomes in areas like child removal and incarceration. The bill was defeated in a division.

   Outcome: The bill was not passed, with 15 senators voting against and 24 voting for.

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