Cory Bernardi (SA, Australian Conservatives) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I move:

That the Senate—

(a) notes that political activist organisation GetUp!:

  (i) was seed-funded by organisations closely connected with Mr George Soros, a renowned globalist and funder of socialist politicians and causes,

  (ii) has provided and received support for left-of-centre political parties, trade unions and other organisations, and

  (iii) has actively campaigned like a political party, and in every such instance, against right-of-centre politicians during election periods; and

(b) affirms that GetUp! is deserving of greater electoral regulation or scrutiny, given its impact upon our political process, economic development, support for litigation against major job-creating projects, border protection policies, national security, sovereignty and our institutions.

Katy Gallagher (ACT, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I seek leave to make a short statement.

Scott Ryan (President, Special Minister of State) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Leave is granted for one minute.

Katy Gallagher (ACT, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Labor will be opposing this motion. Electoral regulation, particularly in the form of determining whether third parties have met the requirements to be determined as associated entities, is a matter for the Australian Electoral Commission. The AEC is an independent body, one vital for the operation of our democracy, and Labor won't be supporting any undermining of this independence. This motion comes after a long line of attacks from conservative members in this place—

Honourable senators interjecting—

some of them interjecting now—bitter that people might actually organise and campaign against their terrible decision-making. I'm not sure who Senator Bernardi is referring to when he states GetUp! sides with left-wingers, but, judging by the fact that they've previously supported his good factional friend Stephen Marshall in South Australia, Labor understands his apprehension.

Cory Bernardi (SA, Australian Conservatives) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I seek leave to make a short statement.

Scott Ryan (President, Special Minister of State) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Leave is granted for one minutes.

Cory Bernardi (SA, Australian Conservatives) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I just clarify that I don't have any factional friends in South Australia. There is a faction of one in the Australian Conservatives, and so I'd ask Senator Gallagher to correct the record.

Richard Di Natale (Victoria, Australian Greens) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I seek leave to make a short statement.

Scott Ryan (President, Special Minister of State) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Leave is granted for one minute.

Richard Di Natale (Victoria, Australian Greens) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

There was a time when upholding the democratic principles was the key tenet of conservative thinking, but not anymore. What we're seeing is an unprecedented attack on civil society not just from Senator Bernardi but, indeed, from the conservatives in the Liberal Party. We saw that unprecedented attack in the raid of the AWU offices, where we had the media there before the police arrived. We've seen the attack on civil society organisations in the ban on foreign donations—for example, organisations like Oxfam, who would be prevented from advocating for more aid to poorer countries. This is an assault on democracy. Of course, if we're talking about taking money to advance causes, let's look at the roll call of organisations that are lining up to fill the pockets of the LNP.

Lee Rhiannon (NSW, Australian Greens) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I seek leave to make a short statement.

Leave not granted.

Scott Ryan (President, Special Minister of State) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I put the motion. The question is that notice of motion No. 582, standing in the name of Senator Bernardi, be agreed to. I think the ayes have it. The final notice of motion is No. 585, standing in the name of Senator Whish-Wilson.

Rachel Siewert (WA, Australian Greens) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Sorry, did you just call it for the ayes?

Scott Ryan (President, Special Minister of State) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I did.

Rachel Siewert (WA, Australian Greens) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

The noes have it.

Scott Ryan (President, Special Minister of State) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I didn't hear.

Rachel Siewert (WA, Australian Greens) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

You said the ayes have it.

Scott Ryan (President, Special Minister of State) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

No, Senator Siewert, I called it, and no-one asked for a division. Are you seeking leave for me to put it again?

Rachel Siewert (WA, Australian Greens) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Yes, thank you.

Leave granted.

A division having been called and the bells being rung—

Ian Macdonald (Queensland, Liberal Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Mr President, I was just wondering whether there is a substantial conflict of interest in that GetUp! clearly support most of those who are voting yes. And is—

Scott Ryan (President, Special Minister of State) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Senator Macdonald—

Ian Macdonald (Queensland, Liberal Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Is there a financial conflict of interest that should be disclosed?

Scott Ryan (President, Special Minister of State) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Senator Macdonald, please resume your seat. That's a debating point, not a point of order. The question is that notice of motion No. 582, standing in the name of Senator Bernardi, be agreed to.

Scott Ryan (President, Special Minister of State) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

The time for formal business has expired.