John Hogg (Queensland, Deputy-President) Share this | Hansard source

The President has received a letter from the Leader of the Australian Democrats, Senator Allison, proposing that the following matter of public importance be submitted to the Senate for discussion, namely:

(a)

the Government’s emphasis on troops ‘staying the course’ and meagre contribution to rebuilding efforts are in contrast to the opinion of senior defence personnel and human rights organisations who believe the solutions lie in the pursuit of non-military strategies; and

(b)

due to Australia’s contribution to the conflict we have a special responsibility to assist in the rebuilding of Iraq.

I call upon those senators who approve of the proposed discussion to rise in their places.

More than the number of senators required by the standing orders having risen in their places—

I understand that informal arrangements have been made to allocate specific times to each of the speakers in today’s debate. With the concurrence of the Senate, I shall ask the clerks to set the clock accordingly.