Dr Sophie Scamps introduced a Bill based on the Red Lines package that would bring Australia’s domestic legislation into line with our international obligations. In the absence of a federal human rights act, the Red Lines package is an important suite of legislative amendments that has huge support across civil society and shifts the focus from prohibition to prevention - where it needs to be.
The package amends a number of pieces of legislation designed to ensure Australia does not breach its international human rights obligations, including via imports, defence exports and investments.
What the Bill does:
- Stop Australian defence goods, technology and services being supplied where there is a real risk they could enable genocide, war crimes or crimes against humanity, and require greater transparency and oversight of defence exports;
- Stop the Future Fund, super funds and registered charities investing in companies or activities connected to illegal settlements or serious violations of international law, and require divestment where such investments are identified;
- Require large companies, defence-related businesses, Commonwealth entities and other covered organisations to identify, report on and take reasonable steps to address genocide risks in their operations and supply chains, backed by an independent Australian Anti-Genocide Commissioner;
- Ban the import and sale of goods produced in illegal settlements and the acquisition or provision of services supporting those settlements, with criminal and civil penalties for breaches.
The Red Lines Package Omnibus Bill would strengthen Australian law to ensure Australia, Australian companies and Australian institutions are not contributing to genocide, war crimes, crimes against humanity or illegal occupation. It brings together reforms across defence exports, investment, corporate accountability and trade. Put simply, the Bill seeks to put clear legal “red lines” around Australian involvement in the most serious breaches of international law so Australian weapons, money, businesses and trade cannot be used to support them.
My Speech