Richard Di Natale (Victoria, Australian Greens) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I move:

That the following matter be referred to the Procedure Committee for inquiry and report:

That consideration be given to amending section 50 of the standing orders to replace the prayer with the following: 'Senators, let us in silence pray or reflect upon our responsibilities to the people of Australia, to the states and territories which we represent, and to all future generations.'

Question negatived.

Claire Moore (Queensland, Australian Labor Party, Shadow Minister for Women) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I seek leave to make a short statement.

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

Leave is granted for one minute.

Claire Moore (Queensland, Australian Labor Party, Shadow Minister for Women) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

In relation to the motion moved by Senator Di Natale, it is my understanding that there is currently a review taking place of all the procedures through the Procedure Committee. It is our expectation that the issues raised would be a natural part of that committee process. That is the reason why we did not support that motion.

Richard Di Natale (Victoria, Australian Greens) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I seek leave to make a short statement.

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

Leave is granted for one minute.

Richard Di Natale (Victoria, Australian Greens) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I am disappointed that both the government and the opposition have voted against this motion. Given that there is a review currently underway, it would not have harmed that review to give specific consideration to an amendment of standing order 50 on the Lord's Prayer. I am flagging now that Senator Siewert, who is the Greens' representative on the Procedure Committee, will be raising this issue specifically with the Procedure Committee. We are doing this because we live in a country where there is a clear separation between church and state. We live in a country of many different faiths—in fact, a country where many people have no faith—and a modern Australian parliament should reflect that. We do say that there should be some opportunity for reflection or, indeed, prayer, if people feel that way, and that is why we would like to see a minute at the start of each day in this place being offered for that reason.