Nick McKim (Tasmania, Australian Greens) Share this | Hansard source

I seek leave to amend general business notice of motion No. 612 standing in my name for today relating to New Zealand's offer to settle 150 refugees.

Leave granted.

I move the motion as amended:

(1) That the Senate:

(a) notes that:

(i) the New Zealand Prime Minister, the Right Honourable Jacinda Ardern, has continued to pressure Australia to accept New Zealand's offer to resettle 150 refugees who are currently in offshore detention,

(ii) New Zealand will begin work to expedite processing refugees if, and when, the offer is accepted, and

(iii) Prime Minister Ardern stated "We made the offer because we saw a great need. No matter what label you put on it there is absolute need and there is harm being done"; and

(b) calls on the Government to accept New Zealand's offer to resettle 150 refugees and negotiate conditions similar to the United States refugee resettlement agreement.

(2) That a message be sent to the House of Representatives seeking its concurrence in this resolution.