Larissa Waters (Queensland, Australian Greens) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I seek leave to amend general business notice of motion No. 533, standing in my name and the name of Senator Bob Brown.

Leave granted.

I move the motion as amended:

That the Senate—

(a)   notes the unique biodiversity and natural heritage of the Coral Sea that is home to the critically endangered hawksbill sea turtle and endangered green turtle;

(b)   recognises that 2012 will be the 70th anniversary of the historically important Battle of the Coral Sea in 1942 that changed the face of World War II; and

(c)   calls on the Government to declare the Coral Sea the world’s largest marine national park.

Cory Bernardi (SA, Liberal Party, Shadow Parliamentary Secretary Assisting the Leader of the Opposition) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

We have not seen any amendment. It is customary and usual for the amendments to be circulated in the chamber beforehand.

Stephen Parry (Tasmania, Liberal Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

There have been precedents that, where the amendments are very short and succinct, as this one is, it can be ruled in order.

Cory Bernardi (SA, Liberal Party, Shadow Parliamentary Secretary Assisting the Leader of the Opposition) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Could I ask you to please repeat the amendment then?

Stephen Parry (Tasmania, Liberal Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Could you repeat the amendment, please, Senator Waters?

Larissa Waters (Queensland, Australian Greens) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Certainly. In clause (c), replace the words 'protected marine reserve' with the words 'marine national park'.

Anne McEwen (SA, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Mr Deputy President, I can indicate that the government also has not, as I understand it, been apprised of that amendment. While we were prepared to support the original motion, I am in a difficult situation given that the wording change is reasonably significant. I would perhaps suggest that the senator may wish to postpone the decision on the motion until tomorrow.

Bob Brown (Tasmania, Australian Greens) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I think we should take up that suggestion with the amendment in place. If the amendment is agreed to, then it can be considered.

Stephen Parry (Tasmania, Liberal Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I will just seek clarity. Is the motion to stand as amended, or do you wish to withdraw the motion for the time being and postpone it until tomorrow?

Bob Brown (Tasmania, Australian Greens) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

We would like the motion to stand as amended and be deferred until tomorrow.