James McGrath (Queensland, Liberal National Party, Assistant Minister to the Prime Minister) Share this | Hansard source

As formal motions cannot be debated or amended, they should not deal with complex and contested foreign policy matters. Elements of this motion are, by their nature, complex and contested. As such, the Senate should not vote on this motion without the ability to have a full debate, given the serious and substantial issues involved.

In relation to paragraph (d), as stated already in response to similar motions put forward by Senator Di Natale this sitting fortnight, there is no need for an inquiry into Australia's contribution to military operations in Iraq. The circumstances in which Australia committed forces to the coalition effort in Iraq are a matter of public record and have been subject to parliamentary inquiry. The Australian Defence Force operates under strict rules of engagement in accordance with domestic and international law.