The Greens have made it very clear that we oppose this bill. We don't like this bill at all. That's because this bill is a clear attack on workers and on unions and their members. This bill is a political and ideological attack on unions and their members and also the ability for unions and their members to work for the good of working people and for a fair and just society for everyone. This bill is anti-democratic, and that's why the Greens strongly oppose this bill.

Australian Greens Animal Welfare Spokesperson, Senator Mehreen Faruqi, has welcomed the Senate Inquiry report calling on the Federal Government to establish a horse traceability scheme. Senator Faruqi established the inquiry in February and has been a leading voice for the establishment of a register to protect horses. 

I rise to take note of the report on the feasibility of a National Horse Traceability Register for all horses, and I want to start by saying how excited I am that we are at the point of unanimous recommendations from Liberal, Labor and Nationals—and, of course, the Greens—that we need a National Horse Traceability Register in Australia. As the report shows, there are so many benefits that will come from having this register. To think that we don't even know how many horses there are in Australia at the moment really is an eye-opener.

I table a nonconforming petition relating to truth in election advertising, and I seek leave to make a short statement.

The ACTING DEPUTY PRESIDENT ( Senator Fawcett ): Leave is granted for one minute.

I, and also on behalf of Senator Ayres, move:

That the Senate—

(a) notes that:

   (i) all forms of asbestos are carcinogenic to humans,

   (ii) according to the World Health Organisation, an estimated 125 million people around the world continue to be exposed to asbestos at work, including in Australia's neighbours in the Asia-Pacific, and the most efficient way to eliminate asbestos-related diseases is to stop the use of all types of asbestos,

   (iii) Australia is a founding member of the Asian Development Bank,

I rise on behalf of the Greens to speak to the Fair Work (Registered Organisations) Amendment (Ensuring Integrity) Bill 2019. The Greens strongly oppose this bill. This bill is nothing but a politically motivated attack on unions. It's laughable that the words 'ensuring integrity' form part of the name of the bill when we know that there is not an ounce of integrity in this government and their intentions with this bill. There is not a skerrick of integrity in you lot, and you have proven that again today by disrupting the business of the Senate, and for what?

'We are mothers, wives and daughters, and we deserve to feel safe wherever we go.' Those are Rana Elasmar's words. Last week she was with friends in a cafe in Sydney when a man approached their table. He shouted racist vitriol at her, punched her and then stomped on her head. She was the target of racist violence, as so many other Muslim women have been. The footage of the attack is absolutely sickening. Even those who do not know what it is to live life in constant, lingering fear of racist violence and abuse could not be unmoved by the brutal inhumanity of the attacker's hate.

Australian Greens Senator Mehreen Faruqi, has said the attempted takeover of the Dapto Showground and the Dapto Agricultural & Horticultural Society by Greyhound Racing NSW in order to force them to race dogs at a financial loss is chilling and the opposite of community and democracy. The matter is currently being heard in the Supreme Court.

Senator Faruqi said:

“The idea a Government appointed body can take over a local community-based agricultural society is simply chilling and another example of the Liberal-National Governments contempt for community.

Australian Greens Animal Welfare Spokesperson, Senator Mehreen Faruqi, has welcomed National Australia Bank’s release of their Animal Welfare Principles as an important step forward in corporations acknowledging their responsibility to protect animals. She has said that banks need to go even further to protect animals.

Greens Foreign Aid Spokesperson, Senator Mehreen Faruqi, has responded to the Government's announcement of a review of Australia’s foreign aid.

Senator Faruqi said:

“The Government must take this review as an opportunity to reset their approach to foreign aid to one that puts social, economic and climate justice at the heart of all our aid programs.