Senator WATERS (Queensland—Leader of the Australian Greens in the Senate) (14:24): I appreciate the chamber's support in suspending standing orders to talk about this most crucial matter, and that is the conduct that we will tolerate, the words that we say we will tolerate and then the actions that are taken when those alleged behavioural standards are broken. So I'm very pleased that the chamber has supported this motion today. We simply wanted Senator Hanson to withdraw her racially charged remarks and to apologise to Senator Faruqi for them. Instead of that, we heard a repetition of those remarks, and I'm very pleased, President, that you now will be giving further consideration to the consequences of Senator Hanson refusing to abide by your direction to withdraw those remarks, which, as you correctly ruled, were in breach of the standing orders and which are also in breach of those codes of conduct. It's important for us to uphold those standards. We're senators in this place, we're privileged, and we could have ignored that. But you know who can't ignore racism and racial slurs? The millions of Australians that face that on the streets and in their workplaces every single day. It is our obligation to call out that behaviour as unacceptable in this workplace and to set the standard for every other sphere of society. We've just seen an incredibly divisive and racially charged referendum, and people's hearts are broken. Let us now please recommit to holding that standard of not permitting racially divisive speech or religious discrimination in this chamber. We won't walk past this conduct. We will call out this conduct every time it occurs, and until such time as we have the independent enforcement body which will be charged with making sure that these behaviour standards are in fact made real consequences flow, until such time as that independent parliamentary standards commission is finally established—and I might add there are some people in this place who have been dragging the chain on that, and they need to stop dragging the chain on that—until that independent enforcement body is established, we will call this out every single time. Thank you, President, for taking under advisement the further actions and the consequences that should flow for Senator Hanson. I might add that the draft behaviour standards for Commonwealth workplaces will soon also be enforceable, and there will be a prohibition on racial, religious, sex and gender discrimination that will apply in all Commonwealth parliamentary workplaces. It is not just this chamber where these standards need to be upheld. The commitment that we have made, thanks to the excellent work of former Sex Discrimination Commissioner Kate Jenkins, is that the standard in all Commonwealth parliamentary workplaces will be one that is free from discrimination. I look forward to the enforcement of those codes. I remind all in this chamber that we have committed to uphold those behaviour standards and those codes of conduct, and we will call out conduct that is racially charged, that is divisive and that is utterly inappropriate. Senator Lambie: I have an issue with truth. The PRESIDENT: Senator Lambie, this is not a free-ranging debate. Senator Lambie: No, we're talking about discrimination, but— The PRESIDENT: No, Senator Lambie. When you resume your seat, I'll tell you where we're up to. Senator Waters sought leave from the chamber to give a three-minute statement. That was denied. Senator Waters then sought an urgency motion. There was some debate on that. That motion was put and carried. That allows Senator Waters to make her three-minute statement, which she has done, so unless you are seeking leave or there's a point of order, there's no opportunity for you to speak. Senator Lambie: I'm sorry, Madam President, it's a point of order. I was just a little concerned about an accusation that I was watching—through the chair—from you, Senator Birmingham. I'm not sure if this was meant, but you said, in relation to the motion moved by you and Senator Wong talking about racial discrimination, 'Particularly to those at that end of the chamber'. Last I checked, this is referring to us, so I would ask you if you could go back and reflect on your words and what was said and whether or not you should come in and apologise. Senator Whish-Wilson: Or just be honest enough to name who you mean. The PRESIDENT: Order! Senator Lambie, Senator Birmingham did not make a direct reference to any particular senator. He's heard what you've said. It's up to him, but he has not breached any standing orders. Before we go to question time, I want to make clear to the chamber what I will do. I will go back and look at the original contribution. As I indicated to the Senate, I wasn't in the chair when those original contributions were made. I will reflect on that. I will also reflect on today's contribution. As the Senate is aware, I have also asked or requested that Senator Hanson withdraw her remarks against Senator Faruqi. She's refused to do that, so I am using my discretion and Senator Hanson will not be heard until I come back to the chamber and give a further direction. Senator Roberts: A point of clarification, please, President. When you scrutinise what Senator Hanson said yesterday, I presume you'll do it in the light of the accusation that Senator Waters has falsely made—that it was racist. If you're looking for a racist comment— The PRESIDENT: Senator Roberts, you are now on a debating point. I have undertaken to review all of that debate and the debate today. We're now moving to question time.