Mitch Fifield (Victoria, Liberal Party, Assistant Minister for Social Services) Share this | Hansard source

This is an important issue that should be above politics, but the Australian Greens, it looks, are seeking to score points here. The government will make an announcement on the Marrakesh treaty in the next few days. I do understand that the Australian Greens were made aware of this last week and still decided to pursue this motion. The government will not be opposing this motion. I would like to take the opportunity to remind the Senate that parliament has an important role to play in determining whether the Australian government should ratify a treaty, including consideration by the Joint Standing Committee on Treaties, of which I know Senator Ludlam is a member. Unlike those who are proposing this motion, this government does not and will not presume to predict the outcome of the deliberations of this parliament.