Anthony Chisholm (Queensland, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Hansard source

Labor has denied this motion being taken as a formal motion because we do not believe complex and contested matters, including matters that concern foreign relations, should be dealt with in a way that compels senators to take a binary position on these matters without debate. For that reason, I'm restating and reaffirming Labor's long-held position that complex and contested matters should not be pursued by way of formal motions. With respect to this motion, the partisan language employed is a clear example of why such a motion cannot be dealt with as formal business. However, despite the intemperate language and some questionable assertions of fact, Labor would support the motion substantively.

On 21 May 2018, at the G20 foreign ministers meeting, Australia, together with the governments of Argentina, Canada, Chile, Mexico and the United States, issued a joint statement on Venezuela. The governments stated that they do not recognise the result of the election and that the illegitimate election is a clear confirmation of the breakdown of democratic institutions in Venezuela. Labor supports that statement, and I seek leave to table that statement.

Leave granted.