SenateDivision 9 · 1 Sep 2025

Motions - Australia: Racism - Free speech and lawful assembly

Not passed28 aye · 37 no

What this vote was about

The majority voted against an amendment introduced under the name of West Australian Senator Michaelia Cash (Liberal). This means it was unsuccessful and the original motion will remain unchanged.

Amendment text

Omit all words after "That the Senate", substitute:

"(a) reaffirms Australia's commitment to free speech and lawful assembly, and condemns all forms of extremism, intimidation, and violence, regardless of the cause;

(b) condemns the recent disruption of public rallies by Neo-Nazis, pro-Iranian Government extremists and those supporting terrorist organisations; and

(c) condemns the public display of symbols, slogans, or imagery that glorify or support proscribed terrorist organisations and urges the strict enforcement of existing laws against the glorification of terrorism and incitement to violence".

Original motion text

That the Senate:

1. Condemns the racist, white supremacist, and anti-immigrant rallies held over the weekend and condemns the support of and attendance at the rallies by MPs;

2. Notes:

a. That racism and anti-immigrant hate has been normalised and legitimised in this country by politicians and by the media who fan the flames of hate;

b. That dog whistling on migrants, refugees and international students by politicians of all stripes has emboldened the far-right;

c. That politicians have used hate, fear and scapegoating to cover up their own policy failures on the housing and cost of living crises; and

d. That the alarm has been sounded on far-right extremism for years and has been routinely ignored; and

3. Reiterates its solidarity with the communities who bear the brunt of white supremacy, Neo-Nazism, and right-wing extremism.

Context written by They Vote For You volunteers (ODbL), reproduced unchanged.

By party

Party	Aye	No
Australian Labor Party	0	25
Liberal–National Coalition	23	0
Australian Greens	0	12
Pauline Hanson's One Nation	3	0
United Australia Party	1	0
Independent	1	0

Every vote

AYE (28)

NO (37)

Other divisions this sitting day

What the Senate divided on around this vote, in order.

1 Sep 2025Budget — Consideration by Estimates CommitteesSenate 26–33
1 Sep 2025Budget — Consideration by Estimates CommitteesSenate 32–24
1 Sep 2025Budget — Consideration by Estimates CommitteesSenate 24–32
1 Sep 2025National Health Amendment (Cheaper Medicines) Bill 2025 - Second Reading - Criticism of GovernmentSenate 22–34
1 Sep 2025National Health Amendment (Cheaper Medicines) Bill 2025 - Second Reading - Supply of medicineSenate 28–24
1 Sep 2025National Health Amendment (Cheaper Medicines) Bill 2025 - Second Reading - DentistrySenate 12–24
1 Sep 2025National Health Amendment (Cheaper Medicines) Bill 2025 - in Committee - Further reducing general patient chargeSenate 15–27
1 Sep 2025Motions - Australia: Racism - CondemnSenate 13–38
1 Sep 2025Motions - Australia: Racism - Camp SovereigntySenate 39–28
1 Sep 2025Motions - Australia: Racism - Reject and condemnSenate 39–28
1 Sep 2025Motions - Australia: Racism - Reject and condemnSenate 39–28
1 Sep 2025Documents — National Climate Risk Assessment and National Adaptation Plan; Order for the Production of DocumentsSenate 36–22
1 Sep 2025Matters of Urgency - Gas Industry - Fix leakSenate 12–28