Senator CARR (Minister for Innovation, Industry, Science and Research) (1:56 PM) —In summing up, I commend the Crimes Legislation Amendment (Torture Prohibition and Death Penalty Abolition) Bill 2009 to the chamber. The bill gives force to Australia’s international obligations and ensures that this country acknowledges its condemnation of torture in all circumstances by clearly and explicitly fulfilling Australia’s obligations under the Convention Against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment. The bill also extends the application of the current prohibition to the death penalty in state laws and, given the support of the Senate, I recommend that the bill be carried.

Question agreed to.

Bill read a second time.