Claire Moore (Queensland, Australian Labor Party, Shadow Minister for Women) Share this | Hansard source

Labor objects to this particular motion being taken as formal. As stated by Senator Wong previously, we do not believe that a complex matter such as this should be dealt with in a summary fashion in this chamber. The matter is an outstanding example of one that senators should be afforded an opportunity to consider with more than one day's notice. That is Labor's longstanding position.

The humanitarian crisis unfolding in Iraq is of grave concern, and we share that concern—that is not owned by any particular senator in this place. It will have flow on effects across the world.

We have a strong and proud history of compassion in circumstances where events in home countries make it difficult to return—for instance, the Tiananmen Square massacre, and issues in Bosnia and East Timor. Most recently, Labor's shadow minister for foreign affairs, Tanya Plibersek, made representations to the government regarding the unfolding situation in Ukraine.

We have been assured that the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade has confirmed that there are NGOs operating in Iraq who are in a position to effectively deliver Australian-funded humanitarian assistance.