Rachel Siewert (WA, Australian Greens) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I move:

That the Senate notes that:

(a)

the cruel slaughter of Namibian cape fur seals is due to commence on 1 July 2009, with a quota of 91 000 seals set to be killed;

(b)

the market for Namibian cape fur seal skins has collapsed over recent years due to lack of demand and import bans in the European Union, the United States, Mexico and South Africa because of the cruelty involved in the sealing methods; and

(c)

the continued involvement of Australian-based fur and skins company, Hatem Yavuz, as the last remaining buyer of the skins.

Joe Ludwig (Queensland, Australian Labor Party, Manager of Government Business in the Senate) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

by leave—In the short time frame provided, the government have been unable to ascertain the situation as stated in this motion or to consider the policy or responsibility implications of this situation. In particular, we have been unable to take proper account of the trade implications of taking action in relation to an Australian based company operating in this field. The government did seek further time to consider these matters, but the proposing senator, as I understand it, did not agree to that request. However, given that the motion refers to the hunt commencing on 1 July, that this is the last sitting day to consider motions during the current session and that the motion requests ‘that the Senate notes’ these matters, the government will not oppose the motion.

Question agreed to.