Matter of Public Importance

Discrimination

Senate · Tuesday 25 November 2025

Official Hansard for this day (APH) · Read this debate on OpenAustralia

At a glance

The Senate debated a matter of public importance regarding the need for immediate government action to tackle racism and far-right extremism, citing recent events such as the 'March for Australia' and attacks on Camp Sovereignty. The Australian Greens moved the original motion, while the Labor government proposed an amendment to broaden the scope to include antisemitism and Islamophobia and to call for commitment from all political leaders. The Liberal Party supported the amended motion, condemning all forms of racism while noting that many march attendees had legitimate migration concerns. Independent senators and One Nation offered divergent views, with One Nation defending the marches and criticizing the motion, while others condemned racism and called for unity. The Senate ultimately agreed to the amended question.

Outcome

The Senate agreed to the amended question.

Summary in reported speech - not a transcript. AI-generated, so check the official record before quoting.

How the debate unfolded

Opened the debate

Mehreen Faruqi (NSW) (Australian Greens) Greens

Faruqi argued that racism and far-right extremism were surging due to years of political scapegoating and media stoking of resentment. Faruqi criticised the Liberal Party for catering to open racists and the Labor government for enacting laws that disproportionately affect marginalised communities and refugees. Faruqi contended that economic inequality, housing crises, and cost-of-living pressures created conditions that allowed the far right to recruit from desperate communities. Faruqi called for immediate action, including rent freezes, public housing investment, and lifting income support, rather than further inquiries.

Government response

Tim Ayres (Minister for Industry and Innovation; Minister for Science) ALP NSW

Ayres moved an amendment to the motion to ensure it addressed antisemitism and Islamophobia explicitly and called for commitment from all political leaders. Ayres emphasised that the manner in which racism was opposed mattered, citing recent repulsive comments in the chamber as evidence of a lack of seriousness. Ayres argued that the government’s approach aimed to unite Australians against hate, drawing on past bipartisan efforts to condemn extremism. Ayres stated that while not all march attendees held extremist views, the events were organised by neo-Nazis and involved attacks on Jewish and Muslim communities.

Opposition response

Anne Ruston (Shadow Minister for Health and Aged Care; Shadow Minister for Sport; Shadow Minister for Disability and the National Disability Insurance Scheme; Deputy Leader of the Opposition in the Senate) Liberal SA

Ruston supported the amended motion, stating that the coalition had refused to back the original one-sided proposal but accepted the broader commitment to tackling all forms of racism. Ruston noted that many Australians attended the March for Australia due to legitimate concerns about migration levels and should not be conflated with extremists. Ruston urged the government to demonstrate leadership in protecting social cohesion and condemned extremism from all sides of the political divide.

Andrew Bragg (NSW) (Liberal Party) Liberal support

Bragg acknowledged the bipartisan effort to agree on wording that condemned all forms of discrimination. Bragg highlighted the distress caused to Indian Australians and the Jewish community by recent rallies and statements. Bragg argued that treating minority groups with respect reflected the standards expected of Australian society and praised the leadership shown by various senators in uniting against hate.
Lidia Thorpe (VIC) (Independent) Ind oppose

Thorpe described racism as a global public health emergency that caused physical and psychological distress, particularly for First Nations people. Thorpe criticised the government for benefiting from the distraction provided by figures like Pauline Hanson while maintaining policies that harmed Indigenous communities. Thorpe argued that the government’s track record on racism was poor, citing the referendum backlash and specific incidents involving government officials.
Jana Stewart (VIC) (Australian Labor Party) ALP support

Stewart unequivocally rejected racism, neo-Nazism, and white supremacy, describing them as threats to national values and social cohesion. Stewart highlighted Australia’s multicultural success and the resilience of diverse communities. Stewart noted the passage of the Criminal Code Amendment (Hate Crimes) Act as evidence of the government’s commitment to combating hate crimes and preventing violence.
Larissa Waters (QLD) (Australian Greens) Greens support

Waters warned of a terrifying resurgence of far-right politics and criticised the normalisation of racism in public discourse. Waters argued that inequality, not immigration, was the root cause of social unrest and blamed billionaires and corporations for worsening living conditions. Waters called for directing anger towards those responsible for systemic economic issues rather than migrants or people of colour.
Malcolm Roberts (QLD) (Pauline Hanson's One Nation Party) One Nation oppose

Roberts defended the March for Australia as peaceful celebrations of national identity and criticised the motion as cowardice and fake outrage. Roberts argued that radical Islam posed a threat to Australia and advocated for banning burqas in schools. Roberts disputed the characterisation of the marches as Nazi-linked and defended Senator Hanson’s actions, contrasting them with previous parliamentary props used by other senators.
Tammy Tyrrell (TAS) (Independent) ALP support

Tyrrell congratulated the Senate on censuring Senator Hanson and ejecting her from the floor for disrespectful behaviour. Tyrrell advocated for active kindness and inclusion as the antidote to division and hatred. Tyrrell stood against Senator Hanson and in support of Muslim, migrant, and all Australians seeking dignity and respect.

Opened by

Mehreen Faruqi (NSW) (Australian Greens)

Greens

Speeches

10 speeches, 6 other contributors

Topics

Antisemitism & Social Cohesion Immigration

Debate Racism General Debate, 11 Aug 2026 · Shared topics: Antisemitism & Social Cohesion, Immigration
Debate Migration Take Note Debate, 16 Sep 2026 · Shared topic: Immigration
Question Time Senate Question Time 17 Aug 2026 · Shared topics: Antisemitism & Social Cohesion, Immigration
Question Time Senate Question Time 16 Sep 2026 · Shared topics: Antisemitism & Social Cohesion, Immigration

About Senate debates

The Senate debates bills, motions, matters of public importance and the answers given in Question Time. Senators from all parties and the crossbench take part, and a minister or the minister representing them usually replies for the government. Summaries are in reported speech, not transcripts; always check the official record before quoting.