Social Partners Raise Concern About Third Country Agreement

Social partner senators raised a big question, why wasn’t there proper consultation before this agreement was signed? They say decisions like this need input from all stakeholders, not just a quick signature.

 

Glenfield Dennison, Labour Senator

“Nobody will gaslight me into thinking that supporting or withholding my support for this agreement is saying whether or not I want to uphold the rule of law. Nobody will gaslight me or bring any invalid argument to me that whether or not I support this agreement or don’t support this agreement is a reflection of my position on human rights. Nobody will make me believe that this is a simple arms length transaction between two friends because inherent in a request by a friend to do something is the ability to say no thank you.”

 

Kevin Herrera, Business Senator

“When we are pressured to become a logistical backwater for their immigration challenges even though we have a comparable challenge or a larger challenge that clearly shows the old assumption that our security and social welfare are secondary. We are not merely a convenient holding cell for the U.S. asylum system. We are a sovereign nation that needs to look after the best interest of its citizens first. It is for this reason madam president that I believe issues as weighty as this one should’ve perhaps been put to a referendum. Let the people decide.”

 

At the end of the debate, the motion was referred to the Constitution and Foreign Affairs Committee.