Andrew McLachlan (SA, Deputy-President) Share this | Hansard source

The question is that the second reading amendment on sheet 2027 be agreed to.

Australian Gree ns' circulated second reading amendment—

At the end of the motion, add ", but the Senate:

(a) notes that:

(i) in his second reading speech, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Defence, Richard Marles MP, stated this bill would allow Australia to take 'the first legislative step in support of Australia's acquisition of conventionally armed nuclear-powered submarines',

(ii) there are significant environmental, health, security and social risks associated with every facet of the nuclear industry and these risks disproportionately impact First Nations peoples and their lands,

(iii) nuclear weapons, nuclear accidents or attacks on reactors all pose unacceptable risks of catastrophic consequences for humans and the environment,

(iv) the inquiry into this bill was pushed through the Senate without adequate time for proper consultation, scrutiny and transparency, and no public hearings, and

(v) AUKUS undermines Australia's sovereignty and under AUKUS, Australia would be the only non-nuclear weapons State to have nuclear powered submarines; and

(b) agrees that this bill is the first step in the largest nuclear program in Australian history, which is strongly opposed by millions of Australians, the peace and environment movements and a broad range of unions, including the Electrical Trades Union and the Australian Manufacturing Workers' Union, a former Labor Prime Minister, a former Labor Foreign Minister, the Queensland Labor State Conference as well as former senior military officials".

Question negatived.