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

I move:

That the Senate—

(a) notes that:

(i) Mr George Christensen MP, on 24 September 2014, publicly referred to people who care about the Great Barrier Reef as 'gutless green germs for the terrorists they are',

(ii) labelling people who care about the reef as terrorists is reprehensible, insensitive and utterly unacceptable, particularly at this stage of global events, and

(iii) to speak of ordinary Australians who care about the reef using terms like 'terrorists' 'butchered', 'kill off' and 'extremist', risks elevating community disagreement to dangerous levels; and

(b) condemns Mr Christensen's comments and calls on him to withdraw them.

Mitch Fifield (Victoria, Liberal Party, Assistant Minister for Social Services) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I seek leave to make a short statement.

Stephen Parry (President) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Leave is granted for one minute.

Mitch Fifield (Victoria, Liberal Party, Assistant Minister for Social Services) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

It is very important that the Senate not endorse practice by way of motions in one chamber seeking to pass comment on or to condemn an elected member of another chamber. This practice is as bad as the Senate setting up a committee to inquire into the activities of another parliament.

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

I seek leave to make a very short statement:

Stephen Parry (President) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Leave is granted for one minute.

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

I note the objection of the government senator. However, it was of his own MPs who made the outrageous allegation that people who care about the future of the Great Barrier Reef are terrorists.

Question agreed to.