Gavin Marshall (Victoria, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Hansard source

Yes, and I've addressed that, I think, a couple of times already. Senator Bernardi, I think, belled the cat on that argument, quite clearly conceding that these are contested and difficult matters. We had a similar debate yesterday on a matter. I'd be disappointed if the government wasn't also supportive of denying formality. I'd be disappointed if the government actually voted to suspend standing orders on such a matter.

I'd be happy to have a debate about some of these matters if it were to be brought on properly in the Senate. Let's have that debate. This is a debate that's been going on internationally and in Australia for many years. But don't just bring a resolution to do a simple up-and-down vote to have some sort of moral authority and think that that actually reflects the view of the Senate, when none of these things will be taken in context. We have denied formality for reasons that I think are absolutely consistent with not having contested foreign affairs matters debated in this section of the Senate's time, which is simply for an up-and-down vote; it's an inappropriate way to move forward. This debate won't do this Senate any credit, and I think we ought to be consistent and oppose this suspension.