Senator Kim Carr

SENATOR THE HON KIM CARR  

CHAIR SENATE LEGAL AND CONSTITUTIONAL AFFAIRS REFERENCES COMMITTEE

SENATOR FOR VICTORIA

SENATOR AMANDA STOKER   

DEPUTY CHAIR SENATE LEGAL AND CONSTITUTIONAL AFFAIRS REFERENCES COMMITTEE

SENATOR FOR QUEENSLAND

INQUIRY INTO DOMESTIC VIOLENCE WITH PARTICULAR REGARD TO VIOLENCE AGAINST WOMEN AND THEIR CHILDREN

The Chair and Deputy Chair of the Senate Legal and Constitutional Affairs Committee References Committee would like to reject media reports that the committee has not discharge its responsibility to the Parliament and the public in a recent inquiry into domestic violence.   

Liberal Senator Sarah Henderson has called, irresponsibly and without offering any evidence, for Australian scientists to cease collaboration in virus research with their overseas colleagues.

Senator Henderson was responding to media reports that Chinese scientists from the Wuhan Virology Institute had earlier worked at CSIRO’s laboratories in Geelong.

But her demand would not only mean ending collaboration with China. CSIRO collaborates with a range of countries in virology and other areas of medical research.

It may sound too obvious to need stating, but in this time of crisis some of Australia’s leaders are ignoring it: without Parliament, parliamentary democracy cannot function.

It is Parliament that scrutinises and evaluates the actions of the executive government, holding the Government to account and protecting the liberties of citizens.

That is why the Senate’s Scrutiny of Delegated Legislation committee, which reviews all laws made by regulation – i.e. by action of the executive government – has resolved to continue its work during this time when sittings of Parliament may be suspended for an extended period of time.

Throughout the history of the Commonwealth – until now – Parliament continued to sit, no matter what crisis confronted the nation, whether war, natural disaster or social and economic calamity.

The closure of the iconic Holden brand and General Motors’ withdrawal from Australia is as a direct result of the Coalition goading the company to end manufacturing in 2014. 

The automotive shut down has been a catastrophe, brought about by Tony Abbott and Joe Hockey, but the Prime Minister Scott Morrison had a seat at the Cabinet table.

They showed no regard for the consequences of their actions, and still don’t.

The findings of Labor's inquiry into its federal election defeat will be handed to the ALP National Executive tomorrow, but we already know several things that help explain the result and the challenges ahead for the party.

Those challenges run much deeper than the explanations favoured by commentators who attribute Labor's loss to supposedly unpopular tax policies or the failings of individuals.

The Balkanisation of international research is not in Australia’s interest, argues Kim Carr

In these times of heightened anxiety about China’s global influence, Australia’s scientists and researchers all too often endure the smear that they are collaborating with a foreign power. The accusation, made by hawks within the defence and security establishments, conflates several things that are not the same: concern at the activity of international students on Australian campuses; the need to uphold quality assurance standards in higher education institutions; the need to protect our cybersecurity; and the importance of genuine international research collaboration. The hawks – and those in the media who uncritically report their remarks – ought to know that these are all different things. 

Not very long ago, I would not have been asked to launch a book like this and some might be surprised that I would accept.

People who don’t know much about the Labor Party might think the fact that I’m here means either the party has changed, or I have.

At one level, neither of those things is true.

E&OE TRANSCRIPT
RADIO INTERVIEW
ABC SOUTH EAST SA
THURSDAY, 29 AUGUST 2019

SUBJECTS: Criminal Code Amendment (Agricultural Protection) Bill 2019.
 
SELINA GREEN, PRESENTER:  Now the Criminal Code Amendment (Agricultural Protection) Bill 2019 is set to be up for debate in Parliament next week.  It has certainly been proven to be contentious on both sides of the argument. There are some concerns being voiced about the impact this legislation could have even in circumstance that could hurt farmers.  Australian Labor Party Senator Kim Carr has questioned whether the provisions of the bill might actually be used against farmers – for example, if you are a farmer who has been involved in a group like Lock the Gate Alliance. Senator Carr has asked whether those in favour of the Bill have considered the implications. Senator Carr joins me now, Senator Carr, good morning and welcome to the program. 

I will not renominate to be part of the next Labor Shadow Ministry.

I have spoken to Anthony Albanese and told him that I wish him well and the new leadership team every success. Millions of Australians rely on Labor and Labour movement, and I am confident that Labor can regroup and win the next election.

A Shorten Labor Government has announced it will invest $5 million to help establish a Digital Skills Centre of Excellence.
 
This election will be a choice between a united Shorten Labor Government which will give Australians the training they need to get the jobs of the future, or more of the Liberals’ cuts and chaos.
 
Labor will work with state or territory governments as an equal partner to support the development of the Centre.