Senator VAN (Victoria) (15:41): I rise in support of my colleague in the other place, Gladys Liu. She's my friend and colleague, and I have absolute faith in her and her ability to do her job in this place. Senator Farrell: ASIO doesn't. Senator VAN: You don't know that, Senator Farrell—why don't you table it? Why don't you put up or just be quiet while I'm speaking. Senator Farrell raised the point of parallel universes. Well, let's point out a few. The Labor candidate for the seat of Chisholm was a member of the same— Senator Farrell interjecting— Senator VAN: Senator Farrell, I was quiet while you were speaking, despite some of the despicable things you were saying, so I ask you to be quiet. Senator Farrell: Nothing I've said was despicable. Senator VAN: I believe it is. The DEPUTY PRESIDENT: Senator Smith, a point of order? Senator Dean Smith: Senator Farrell, of all people, know what conduct is required of senators in this particular part of the day. I'd just ask you to call him to order. The DEPUTY PRESIDENT: I remind all senators that remarks must be made to the chair and that interjections are disorderly, and people have the right to be heard in silence. Senator Farrell? Senator Farrell: A point of order: I reject the suggestion that anything I said was despicable. All the things I said were issues that have been reported in reputable newspapers around this country. The DEPUTY PRESIDENT: Senator Farrell, that's a debating point. I've reminded senators of the way that we conduct ourselves according to the standing orders. Please continue, Senator Van. Senator VAN: The member for Chisholm is an absolutely suitable person to be a member of this parliament, and she was elected by the people of Chisholm. Ms Liu is an outstanding Australian. She came here as a migrant, and I point out to the chamber that Ms Liu is a migrant from Hong Kong—what's been happening in Hong Kong recently might be lost on those on the other side. So the point that Ms Liu might be a member of the Chinese Communist Party—which I think they're trying to allege—is absolutely wrong. She came here as a migrant and has done exceptionally well. Her work as a speech pathologist is well known and well understood. The work that she's done throughout her community, and being a member of community groups—memberships that other people have—shouldn't be lost on those on the other side. We should also ask: what are all these allegations going to do to other migrants, especially other migrant women, who are deciding whether to take up a place in public life? They may wonder, 'Should I stand for politics if I'm going to cop this sort of abuse from those from the other side?' It's absolutely disgraceful. Many Australian migrants have dedicated their lives to the betterment of their community within Australia. I believe it is offensive that someone of the standing of Gladys Liu has been unfairly questioned about her allegiance to Australia. We should not doubt the superior loyalty and commitment of migrants to Australia. Instead, we should recognise their contributions to our political system. Gladys Liu was one such migrant. She grew up in Hong Kong. Remember that. Please, senators: remember she grew up in Hong Kong and migrated from Hong Kong. Senator Farrell: Is she on the side of the democracy protesters? Senator VAN: Yes, she has come out saying that, I believe. Gladys immigrated to Australia and has worked tirelessly to forward the integration of Chinese migrants into Australian society, and there is no doubt in my mind that Gladys is an exceptional individual and an exceptional Australian. In my maiden speech I discussed the value of Australia's democracy, and I must say the attitude of some towards our first-ever elected female Chinese member of the House of Representatives is incongruous with the democracy I know and love. Gladys Liu has faced extreme criticism, including ongoing criticism from Senator Farrell at this point in time, for associations with two organisations in particular. However, I ask: should those organisations be different to any other organisation that non-Chinese current and former parliamentarians have also been a part of? Have these non-Chinese Australians faced similar rebuke? There is a double standard here that needs to be highlighted. From my home state of Victoria, earlier this year the Labor Premier, Dan Andrews, was in China attending the Belt and Road forum. We can assume that Dan accepted hospitality at this event and throughout his travels from a foreign government, and this is to be expected. This is natural. But would the perception of Dan's tour be under challenge if he were a Chinese Australian? Unfortunately, after what we've seen today, I don't think it would be. As we heard earlier, the member for McMahon accepted travel from the Australian Guangdong Chamber of Commerce over his five-day trip to Hong Kong and China. If he were a Chinese Australian, would he get the same treatment that Ms Liu has? I believe Ms Liu is a very solid Australian and is a very proper person to be in this place.