Senator FARUQI (New South Wales) (12:14): I rise to speak on the Social Security (Administration) Amendment (Continuation of Cashless Welfare) Bill 2020. The Greens strongly oppose this bill. The Greens and I completely reject Senator Hanson's disgraceful contribution to the debate on this bill. Referring to and bringing in a family member of Senator Thorpe's in her speech is a new low for Senator Hanson. If Senator Hanson had a skerrick—

Centre Alliance have hoodwinked and mislead the people of South Australia and those on the Cashless Debit Card. They’ve assured voters for weeks now they would not support this racist, punitive Bill and tonight they flipped on that promise, devastating thousands. 

The Cashless Debit Card could have ended tonight. Instead people in the trial sites will be subjected to income management for another 2 years.

This is a heartbreaking outcome for people in the Cashless Debit Card trial sites.

The Australian Greens support the recommendations and the interim findings of the Senate Select Committee on COVID-19 majority report and have tabled additional comments and findings.
 

I rise to speak to this matter of urgency. What happened in Afghanistan was the murder and torture of innocent people, even children, which left families torn apart and communities in ruin. These heinous war crimes committed by Australia are another shameful chapter in our history. We demand justice for the victims.

Government senators interjecting—

Universities are cutting courses and slashing jobs. The combined blows of COVID-19 and funding cuts are devastating. We should prioritise and expand education in languages and cultures, especially those in the Asia-Pacific, and reject these harsh, nonsensical cuts to language programs.

In its submission to the job-ready graduates bill inquiry, the Languages and Cultures Network for Australian Universities said:

The Government's Recycling and Waste Reduction Bill 2020 has today been passed un-amended by the Senate, despite staunch support for substantial amendments from the recycling industry, local governments and NGO's.

There is now a serious question as to whether the Prime Minister has led Parliament, said Greens Leader, Adam Bandt. 

Mr Bandt was today gagged by the Government while seeking to compel the Prime Minister to confirm Australia’s attendance at the UN Climate Ambition Summit. Last week, Adam Bandt asked the PM in question time about Australia’s attendance status and Scott Morrison told the Parliament that he would attend and speak, but reports emerged today that Australia is not invited to this weekend’s UN Climate Ambition Summit.

The Government is using the final Parliamentary sitting week of this year to push through legislation to make the current Cashless Debit Card trial sites permanent and extend the card to the Northern Territory and Cape York to replace the BasicsCard, despite no evidence it works. 
 
“We’ve had 13 years of this discriminatory punitive policy. 13 years of targeting First Nations peoples and those on low incomes with income management, Senator Rachel Siewert, Greens Spokesperson on Family and Community Services said. 
 

The Senate has today backed a Greens motion calling on the Government to implement Australian content quotas for online video streaming subscription services.  

Greens Spokesperson for the Arts, Senator Sarah Hanson-Young said:

“Today, the senate stood up for Aussie screen and Aussie kids by calling on the Government to implement Australian content quotas for big streaming services.

Greens Spokesperson for Media and Communications Senator Sarah Hanson-Young has welcomed the Government’s indication that they will introduce legislation to enact the News Media Bargaining Code.