David Leyonhjelm (NSW, Liberal Democratic Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I move:

That the Senate declares its opposition to the fuel duty rates for excise and customs contained in the Excise Tariff Proposal (No. 1) 2014 and the Customs Tariff Proposal (No. 1) 2014 respectively, and tabled in the House of Representatives on 30 October 2014.

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

The question is that motion be agreed to. Those of that opinion—Senator Rice?

Janet Rice (Victoria, Australian Greens) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

At the request of Senator Di Natale, I seek leave to move an amendment to General Business Notice of Motion No. 705.

Leave granted.

I move:

That the motion be amended by adding at the end of the motion: 'until other measures are implemented to transform Australia towards a cleaner, smarter economy.'

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

The question is that the amendment to the motion be agreed to.

Question negatived.

The question now is that notice of motion No. 705 standing in the name of Senator Leyonhjelm be agreed to.

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

Could I advise senators that there is one more formal motion to deal with which may result in a division. I now call upon Senator O'Sullivan on notice of motion No. 701. Sorry—Senator Siewert?

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

Mr President, Senator Rice is on her feet; she wants to make a short statement.

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

Senator Rice.

Janet Rice (Victoria, Australian Greens) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Mr President, I seek leave to make a short statement.

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

Leave is granted for one minute.

Janet Rice (Victoria, Australian Greens) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

On the issue of the fuel tax excise, the Australian Greens have had a position over the last year that we are open to discussions about increasing the fuel tax excise if the revenue was going towards measures that would be creating a cleaner, more sustainable economy. In particular, we are open to discussion as to whether the revenue was going to be put towards public transport. The increased fuel tax excise was first considered in last year's budget in the context of a very unfair, brutal budget that was hitting low income earners very significantly. An increase in fuel excise was only going to add to that burden, unless they had the opportunity to be able to reduce the amount of fuel they were using or were able to undertake more of their transport by public transport.