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House of Assembly - Fifty-Third Parliament, Second Session (53-2)
2016-06-22 Daily Xml
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Cox, Ms

The Hon. J.W. WEATHERILL (Cheltenham—Premier) (17:29): I move:

That this house—

1. Expresses its deep sorrow at the senseless death of Jo Cox MP and places on record—

(a) its condolences to her family and constituency; and

(b) its recognition of her service and her passion for fairness, inclusivity and compassion in all aspects of her community.

2. Expresses its sorrow that parliamentarians and others dedicated to public service around the world, who are committed to progressing ideas, can be subject to violence and hate.

Ms HILDYARD (Reynell) (17:29): I rise in sadness to give my contribution to this important motion. I am shocked and dismayed by the senseless death of Jo Cox. Jo Cox was brutally murdered in the north-east of England for what reason or purpose? She was murdered by someone who was unwell, yes, but she was murdered by somebody who was fuelled and enraged by a permissible culture of hate. This is a culture that we must stop now and a culture that we can only stop together.

When we allow good people to be shouted down by hate and division, we provide the space for acts of violence to be conceived, to be considered possible and to be committed. We must stand up to those voices and we must stand up against a culture that permits them. To those people who seek to divide, who see us only as self-interested individuals and not as belonging to our communities and to a society that cares for its most vulnerable members we must say, 'Enough!'

I did not have the pleasure of knowing Jo Cox personally, but through her tragic death, like others across the globe, I have got to know more about her. I believe she saw the world much as I do: that it is community and togetherness that defines us. In her maiden speech to parliament, as we have all heard, she said:

While we celebrate our diversity, what surprises me time and time again as I travel around the constituency is that we are far more united and have far more in common with each other than things that divide us.

These are the words of a woman who devoted herself to public service, to working with and for community members, whether it was as a parliamentarian and a proud product of Yorkshire or as a devoted worker at Oxfam doing everything she could for some of the world's most disadvantaged peoples.

She was a woman of remarkable principle who was driven by her principles, which were deeply steeped in ensuring the wellbeing, dignity and unity of all people. She was a woman who was tireless in standing up for those principles. Up until the day before she was killed she was proudly and forcefully advocating with her husband and two children for Britain to remain in the EU, that Britain should not succumb to those voices of division that use hate and fearmongering as a currency.

Jo Cox was courageous and relentless. She was a democrat, a feminist and a voice for those who are all too often voiceless. As a sister and as someone from a sister party, it was a great privilege and honour to make sure that those on this side of the house had the opportunity to put their names to the call for parliamentarians from around the world to 'join a global show of support for the idea that tolerance will trump hatred and extremism'. To date, over 1,500 parliamentarians have signed this call. I was proud to do so.

Today would have been Jo Cox's birthday. She would have been 42. She leaves behind her husband, Brendan, and her two beautiful young children. I place on record my deepest sympathy to her immediate family and to her community family who loved her and who were enriched and brought together through her constant speaking and acting through love rather than hate. To mark her birthday, let us unite and show the world through our words, through our actions, through our media and throughout our communities that we have far more in common than that which divides us. Vale, Jo Cox. You will be remembered well and your legacy will be to inspire people across the world to act together and to act always with love.

The ACTING SPEAKER (Hon. T.R. Kenyon): The member for Flinders.

Mr TRELOAR (Flinders) (17:33): Thank you, Mr Acting Speaker. You sit well in that chair, sir.

Ms Bedford: Ease up.

Mr TRELOAR: The member for Florey obviously wants to make a contribution, so it is good to see her in her seat. I rise today to support this motion. The motion is:

That this house—

1. Expresses its deep sorrow at the senseless death of Jo Cox MP and places on record—

(a) its condolences to her family and constituency; and

(b) its recognition of her service and her passion for fairness, inclusivity and compassion in all aspects of her community.

2. Expresses its sorrow that parliamentarians and others dedicated to public service around the world, who are committed to progressing ideas, can be subject to violence and hate.

I, like everybody else in this place and people in public life around the world, I would suggest, was horrified to wake up and hear the news that came out of Yorkshire in the UK of the death of a member of the UK Labour Party, a member of the parliament at Westminster, who had been murdered at the hands of a man who shot and then stabbed Ms Cox, which was quite extraordinary. She was going about her business. She was doing exactly what we all do here. She was in her constituency of Batley and Spen in Yorkshire. She was a girl who was born and grew up there. She knew her people well. She represented the people she lived with and the people she grew up with.

Of course, for us, even though this incident occurred on the other side of the world, because we are politicians, because we are members of parliament, because we are in public life, it was in fact incredibly close to home. I feel very sad, really, that somebody going about their business, somebody who was obviously as dedicated and as loving as Ms Cox was, should meet such an end. I am going to quote from two of the tributes that were made in the Palace of Westminster: one by the Labour leader and one by the Prime Minister, the Conservative leader. Firstly, my words come from Jeremy Corbyn, who is, of course, the leader of the Labour Party in the UK:

[Jo had] spent her life serving and campaigning for other people—whether as a worker for Oxfam or for the anti-slavery charity the Freedom Fund, as a political activist and as a feminist…

Her integrity and talent were known to everyone and by the community of Batley and Spen, which she proudly represented but only for the past year. She had only been an MP for a little over a year, I think. Of course, it was the great debate, I guess, about Brexit that contributed in some way to the depth of feeling that is occurring for some people at least. She appears to have been the victim of an act of extreme political violence.

Mr Corbyn went on to say that Jo would have been 42 this Wednesday, which of course is today. She would have been 42 today. For those in the UK, it is the summer solstice. Apparently, Jo would always have a birthday party celebrating not just her birthday but the summer solstice, which is a pretty big occasion in the UK.

The ACTING SPEAKER (Hon. T.R. Kenyon): It is the only day of summer.

Mr TRELOAR: 'It is the only day of summer,' says the Acting Speaker. I do not know what the weather is like there today. It is probably 19 hours of cloud and one hour of sunshine. Mr Corbyn went on to say that Jo had much more to give and much more that she would have achieved. I know, throughout the UK and even in other parts of the commonwealth, there have been vigils for Jo. Our own member for Adelaide, I understand, attended a vigil here at St Peter's Cathedral just the other night and lit a candle for Jo. This is a quote from her husband, Brendan:

Jo believed in a better world and she fought for it every day of her life with an energy and a zest for life that would exhaust most people.

The Prime Minister, David Cameron, went on to say:

…we grieve her loss, and we hold in our hearts and prayers her husband Brendan, her parents and sister, and [particularly] her two children who are just three and five-years-old.

Sadly, given their age, her children are unlikely to remember much at all about their mother as the years go on. As I have said earlier, she was serving her constituents and meeting with her constituents on the streets of Birstall. Jo always brought people together. She saw the best in people and she brought the best out in them.

In his closing remarks, the Prime Minister of the UK quoted a colleague of his who had said, 'If you lost your way for a moment in the cut and thrust of political life, meeting Jo would remind you why you went into politics in the first place.' Obviously, she was a very passionate member of parliament, a grassroots campaigner and somebody who felt very strongly about the issues that mattered to her.

I did not know Jo, but I have met on occasions some UK politicians. In 2013, I was fortunate enough to be the representative from this parliament to attend a workshop in Westminster in the House of Commons. It was the 62nd Westminster Seminar on Parliamentary Practice and Procedure. It was run by the CPA. As I said, I was very fortunate and felt very privileged to be nominated by this parliament to attend that workshop in the UK. A lot of it was based not just in the Palace of Westminster but in the offices nearby in the Attlee Suite. All the MPs have offices over the road at Portcullis House.

I was flicking back through the program from that workshop in 2013 and the thing that really struck me was how available the British MPs were to us during that week-long period that we were there. In every breakout period we had, there was an MP in attendance, if not two or three or four from all sides of politics, and what struck me was their availability. Jo, I am sure, had that same approach. In fact, I know that the members here are always available to their constituents, always available to the people of South Australia.

One session was entitled, 'What is the role of an MP in his or her constituency?' That was something we debated that particular day. Jo obviously saw her role as being out amongst her people. In session 10, we discussed a number of issues but what was highlighted in my notes at my dot point 6 was that politicians do not cease to be people. Of course, I think we have all been at the wrong end of vitriol. I think it is far easier for constituents to unleash and lash out at their elected representatives these days than it ever was before. It is so easy with social media and email. It is just a click away. As a result, we are all open to that criticism. We sign up for it. When we stand for public office, we understand fully what we are in for and what could happen.

The ACTING SPEAKER (Hon. T.R. Kenyon): No, we don't.

Mr TRELOAR: Well, up to a point, Mr Acting Speaker. However, my point is this: Jo got far more than is ever expected, demanded or committed to. The seven principles of public life were discussed: selflessness, integrity, objectivity, accountability, openness, honesty and leadership, and from all the research I have done on Jo, she fulfilled all those principles of public life.

She was a passionate woman. Women in parliament was session 21. I note at that time—and I do not suppose it has changed yet because there has not been an election since—just 22 per cent of the members in Westminster were women. It was suggested during that session 21 that 33 per cent (one-third) would be an ideal number. There you go. I am not quite sure how they came to that, but certainly both major parties in the UK are looking to increase the number of women they have as members representing their ideals in parliament.

With those few words, as I said, it was on the other side of the world but so close to home. Certainly the opposition, the Liberal Party here in South Australia, and the parliament as a whole, send our commiserations to the other side of the world, to the family of Jo, to her husband, Brendan, and those two young children, and her constituents in the constituency of Batley and Spen which she loved so dearly in Yorkshire. Vale, Jo Cox.

Ms BEDFORD (Florey) (17:44): The death of Jo Cox has shocked the world and left a mark on everyone, activists everywhere and especially those in public life, working to make their communities and the world a better place. Through links and friendships made in my work with the Muriel Matters Society—Muriel herself was an activist—I have, along with the member for Ashford, met many great women in England and in London and, although I did not know Jo myself, I do know that many of these women did know her well.

One of our dear friends, a generous and great champion for women, is expat Australian V. Irene Cockcroft. As she says, any words are poor recompense for any life prematurely extinguished, let alone a brilliant one. Irene has advised me of the gathering in Trafalgar Square supported by the Lord Mayor of London planned for 4pm on Wednesday the 22nd, which would of course have been Jo's 42nd birthday. Concurrent events have been planned in Batley and Birstall (with, hopefully, a live feed to London) and also in Brussels, New York and Washington, all cities of significance to Jo. I hope some of us here might gather on the steps tonight in Jo's honour when the house rises.

Irene has sent me a number of tributes. This one is from a woman called Sophie of the Women's Equality Party, in which Sophie acknowledges that Jo dedicated her life to human rights and justice and worked tirelessly to make the world a more equal place. Sophie is new to politics and found the murder terrifying and senseless and went on to say that the loss of such a dynamic person is great and feels even greater each day.

As Jo's husband, Brendan, said this morning, at this very difficult time, we all may ask what kind of country we live in. Just as the US presidential campaign and, to a lesser extent, the federal campaign here in Australia have done, the EU referendum debate has divided people, scared and sometimes enraged people. Intolerance of other cultures and other views now seems to be part of everyday political and social discourse, but there is absolutely no place for violence.

Irene will be in Trafalgar Square representing us and carrying a bag that she received on her last visit here to Australia, and another person using her influence to make sure the event is a fitting tribute is Helen Pankhurst. She leads a band of women lovingly known as The Suffs, who I am sure will be there in their customary white dresses carrying purple and white flowers as they did for the Emily Davison funeral centenary observances. Helen says Jo was very involved and passionate about women's rights.

They were friends for a long time and she loved working closely with Jo when she was so instrumental in making the huge gains for maternal health during her time at the White Ribbon Alliance before going into parliament. Jo was also critical in setting up Equals for the women's day centenary a few years ago. She chaired the Labour Women's Network and had been one of the biggest champions in supporting more women to stand for elected public positions. Jo was really so genuine and a real star, Helen says. Gemma Mortensen from change.org said:

Jo's life was one of service. Not lip-service, but true service. She was a humanitarian who campaigned for human rights…and a strategist who rethought child protection, world trade and education.

Jo brought out the best in everyone, even when she was being tough. She was quick to put people at ease, whether recruiting people to climb her beloved Scottish mountains (turning walkers into mountain-climbers by sheer force of her enthusiasm) or reaching across the aisle in Parliament, where she was admired by politicians of every hue. She could read the same humanity in the eyes of a Darfuri child, a Syrian refugee or a lonely octogenarian.

Jo spoke out against hatred and extremism in all its forms. She championed inclusion as she did in her oft-quoted maiden speech to the House of Commons. She would want us now to channel her love for others, no matter their race, creed or ideology.

As we pause here today, we think of every person who has been injured or killed in the service of others and I, for one, will refocus my efforts on making sure everyone feels included in the important work we undertake to make the world a better place for everyone. A dear Aboriginal friend of mine, Katrina Power, contacted me especially to make sure that Kaurna people had a voice in this motion today. Katrina said:

Violence against a woman anywhere is violence against women everywhere. As a Kaurna woman, mother and grandmother, on behalf of my community, I send condolences to Jo's family. As a peace-loving people, Kaurna people remember Jo Cox.

To Brendan, Lejla and Cuillin, Jo's family and legion of friends and admirers, we send our heartfelt condolences. Jo was obviously a remarkable woman in so very many ways, and her work is her legacy, which will always be remembered.

An honourable member: Hear, hear!

Mr PENGILLY (Finniss) (17:49): I will not keep the house long, but I consider it very appropriate that the house moves and, ultimately, passes this motion. As a fellow Westminster parliamentarian in that system, it is something that is critically important to us, and those of us who operate under the Westminster system around the world are deeply shocked and saddened. We hear of these political assassinations in other places, but it strikes home pretty closely when it is the mother parliament.

I am giving a fair bit about my age away here, but one of the first impacts on politics I had was as a young child when Arthur Calwell was shot so many years ago. There are probably people in this chamber who have never heard of Arthur Calwell, but some have. At the time, it was a horrendous attack on Arthur Calwell, and I think it brought the danger home to Australian politicians.

Jo Cox MP paid the supreme sacrifice for merely working for her constituency and for the people of Great Britain. It is a tragic loss. It is just such a terrible thing that happened to her. I cannot remember who it was, but one member on the other side talked about the fact that the alleged shooter had mental health issues. That is quite often the case. I never fear for my safety in my political role. I never have. I have been in public life now for getting close to 30 years. We have had a few ups and downs, but when I heard this it brought it all back to me. I guess that is best expressed in this motion where it:

…expresses its sorrow that parliamentarians and others dedicated to public service around the world, who are committed to progressing ideas, can be subject to violence and hate.

It is simply not fair that this young woman with a young family and a husband was savagely slaughtered in such a violent manner by whomever it was. It is just a terrible thing. When I say that I have never feared—and members may be aware that last week the oil and gas industry was the subject of quite a bit of debate within some aspects of our society—last week, in Kingscote my office was plastered with anti-oil and gas material, including corflutes. I was in a meeting, but I was made aware of it. I knew who it was because prior to that the particular person had come into the hotel where I was having lunch with someone and abused us, particularly me, in the hotel.

It does not worry me. I am not fussed about it, but when I went back I decided that I would leave the material on the wall and get the police to deal with it instead of me. It was not appropriate for me to deal with it. The particular person came down the road and tried to get into the car by opening the door to get to me. I was thinking that this was not going well. I have never had that sort of thing happen before. I managed to shut the door, but she was not content with that. She raced up the road as I slowly drove off and opened it again.

We are all vulnerable. We are indeed vulnerable. It is part of public life that you witness this sort of thing, but I felt incredibly sad when I heard about what had happened to Jo Cox MP, who was going about her business like we all do out and about in our constituencies, talking to people and moving around. For that to happen, I thought was a tragedy, particularly for her wider family and whatnot, but it was also a tragedy for Great Britain that it occurred, and it really brings the dangers home to you. We have our moments in here. Today, we had several, but at the end of the day we are all basically respectful of one another, despite what happens in the parliament.

I offer my deep condolences to Jo Cox's family. Ultimately, they will move on but, as has also been pointed out in the chamber, her children will barely remember her. That is just the way of the world. Without further ado, I support the motion.

The Hon. Z.L. BETTISON (Ramsay—Minister for Communities and Social Inclusion, Minister for Social Housing, Minister for the Status of Women, Minister for Ageing, Minister for Multicultural Affairs, Minister for Youth, Minister for Volunteers) (17:54): I rise to support the motion. When I awoke in the morning, I happened to turn on the TV and saw that a young female MP in the UK had been murdered. As the story unravelled and we heard more information about Jo Cox, who was newly into her career, we heard about why this person had decided to take this act.

One of the key things about our system that is very important to me is that we have accessibility, as we are in this house only because the public have supported us. We represent a geographical area and we do that to the best of our abilities. If a constituent wants to speak with you, they can make an appointment, they can call up or they can come in, but we also go out there. This coming weekend, I have several street corner meetings, and I will be out there talking to constituents at different locations, letting them know that I will be there and that they can talk to me about anything they want. This is important for democracy. This is important because we only exist because people support us and support our political system.

I heard Kate Ellis, the federal member for Adelaide, speak about her reaction to this news. She said that it put a shiver down her spine because women are still a minority here. So, it is not just the violent reaction; it is this violence against a woman. In my first speech to the parliament, I encouraged more women to be involved in politics. I believe we should be reflective of our population, and that reflection would be 50 per cent of members here in the parliament. There are many barriers to women putting up their hands for politics, and when we see something like this it makes us even more fearful of that exposure of putting ourselves out there. I will always support and encourage women to be involved in politics.

I thank Jo Cox that she was bold and brave and committed to causes that were important to her. That will be her legacy. She was a similar age to me and she was also a mum of young children; I am the mum of a child. You do it because it is important to you and you want to make a difference. I thank her for putting her hand up and I thank her for putting out what was important to her and fighting for that. Unfortunately, she paid the ultimate sacrifice. What we want to do here is thank her for the work she did and resolve that our access, our part of democracy, will not change.

Sitting extended beyond 18:00 on motion of Hon. Z.L. Bettison.

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