Mr Tony Burke (Watson, Australian Labor Party, Manager of Opposition Business (House)) Share this | Hansard source

I seek leave to move the following motion:

That the House:

  (1) notes:

     (a) the Minister for Agriculture claimed in his second reading speech on the Export Legislation Amendment (Live-stock) Bill that it was "another important part of the Government’s plan to address animal welfare concerns with livestock exports"; and

     (b) this morning without notice and with debate scheduled to run all day on this bill, the Government has today sought to delay its passage and silence debate; and

  (2) therefore, condemns this Government for delaying increased penalties in the livestock trade and silencing debate on the Member for Hunter’s amendments to phase out the live sheep export trade.

Leave is not granted.

I move:

That so much of the standing and sessional orders be suspended as would prevent the Manager of Opposition Business moving the following motion—

That the House:

  (1) notes:

     (a) the Minister for Agriculture claimed in his second reading speech on the Export Legislation Amendment (Live-stock) Bill that it was "another important part of the Government’s plan to address animal welfare concerns with livestock exports"; and

     (b) this morning without notice and with debate scheduled to run all day on this bill, the Government has today sought to delay its passage and silence debate; and

  (2) therefore, condemns this Government for delaying increased penalties in the livestock trade and silencing debate on the Member for Hunter’s amendments to phase out the live sheep export trade.

The government are terrified of their own members crossing the floor. They know that when we get to the amendments on this bill, the entire private member's bill will be moved as an amendment—

See this speech in context