Host
The Prime Minister may have to look to the Greens to get his new hate speech and gun laws through Parliament, with the Coalition now looking less and less likely to approve the bill. Joining us to discuss today’s headlines is Shadow Immigration Minister Paul Scarr and 3AW & Nine News’ Heidi Murphy. Good morning to you both. Paul, we all remember Sussan Ley demanding the Prime Minister recall Parliament before Christmas in order to get hate speech laws passed. Now, apparently, they are too rushed. Am I the only one with whiplash here?
Senator Scarr
Well, there are serious concerns that have been raised with respect to the laws that were tabled by the Labor Government just this Tuesday. Serious concerns around whether they go too far in terms of freedom of speech, serious concerns about whether they achieve the objective—which is to address antisemitism and hate preachers, and serious concerns about process. These are complicated laws, hundreds of pages of material, and many stakeholders are saying they haven’t had the time to properly consider them. And then there’s the issue of unintended consequences. If we don’t have the time to consider the laws, there are risks of unintended consequences, and when you’re considering criminal laws, that’s a material issue.
Host
Well, if that is the case, why then demand Parliament be recalled before Christmas? Was that just politics?
Senator Scarr
Well, Parliament should have come back before Christmas. We should have been discussing the events at Bondi, including the condolence motion, before Christmas. We should have done that, and I think it would have sent a strong signal to the Australian people.
Host
Heidi, what do you reckon? Are both sides of politics genuine about getting this through, or is this about trying to wedge each other?
Heidi Murphy
I think there is a bit of wedging trying to go on here, if we’re honest. I mean, Labor putting it all into one omnibus bill and trying to force the Coalition into agreeing to it because the gun reform and the hate law are all wrapped together. But that will create problems for the Coalition. But you’re also quite right, Jane—there were so many calls to urgently recall Parliament, demands that we recall Parliament, and we would have ended up in the same boat with a complex piece of legislation. You can’t just change hate laws with a single click of your fingers, a single stroke of the pen. It’s complicated stuff. Putting the politics aside, what I would take on board are the concerns raised by Muslim, Jewish and Christian groups, who are genuinely calling for more time to consider what this legislation may do.
Host
So, Paul, what will your party do next week?
Senator Scarr
We’re going through our processes, but clearly the evidence received from religious leaders, including leaders who appeared at yesterday’s public hearing—raised serious concerns. We need to consider that in Shadow Cabinet and the party room, but those serious concerns have been raised.
Host
All right, looks like it’s going to be an interesting two days of Parliament next week.
We are going to take things to a lighter note now, because it is January, and beach cabanas continue to spark division—particularly on Victoria’s Mornington Peninsula.
Paul, people are getting there early, setting them up, leaving, and then trying to come back at midday and claim their space. Is that fair game?
Senator Scarr
No, it’s not fair game. A beach is a public place. You shouldn’t be able to set up your cabana, leave for hours, and come back. And dare I say, we need to draw a line in the sand.
Host
Heidi, I have to admit, when I was at the beach on my holidays with a flimsy little umbrella, I was looking at those fancy cabanas—how easy they are to set up and pull down—and thinking, “Gee, I’d like to be one of those people.”
Heidi Murphy
I mean, it’s great for sun safety and the space it gives people sheltering under it. But if these were Gold Coast or Sydney beaches, where there are wide stretches of sand, it might be different. Our Peninsula beaches are very narrow strips of sand, and these greedy space hogs are taking over every centimetre. It’s not okay.
Senator Scarr
Come to Queensland. Come to Queensland!
Heidi Murphy
Sure, but I mean, I do quite like Victoria, just not the beaches!
Host
How about we set some up around the shores of Lake Burley Griffin, Paul?
Senator Scarr
That’s a good idea, but it’s pretty cold in the morning. I don’t know what the swimming’s like!
Host
Thank you both for joining us this morning.
