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

) ( ): I ask that general business notice of motion No. 319, standing in my name for today, relating to the persecution in the Republic of Chechnya of men who are presumed to be gay or bisexual, be taken as a formal motion.

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

Is there any objection to this motion being taken as formal?

James McGrath (Queensland, Liberal National Party, Assistant Minister to the Prime Minister) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Yes.

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

Formality has been denied, Senator Rice.

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

I seek leave to make a one-minute statement.

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

Leave is granted for one minute, Senator Rice.

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

I am extremely disappointed that the government has denied formality on this important motion about men in Chechnya being rounded up, placed in concentration camps, beaten and tortured on the basis of their actual or presumed sexuality. I note that our Minister for Foreign Affairs has indeed raised this issue with the Russian government and I commend her for doing so, but a lot more actions need to be taken—specifically the actions that I outlined in my motion of working towards a UN resolution condemning the Chechnyan and Russian governments of cutting trade and diplomatic links, of backing the UN's Free & Equal campaign, which raises awareness of homophobia and transphobia, and being prepared to take gay and lesbian refugees from Chechnya. I believe these are all very reasonable measures which would have a strong chance of being supported in the Senate. The Greens will be pursuing further action so that Australia does everything it can to apply pressure on Chechnya and Russia to end this appalling persecution.

James McGrath (Queensland, Liberal National Party, Assistant Minister to the Prime Minister) 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, Senator McGrath.

James McGrath (Queensland, Liberal National Party, Assistant Minister to the Prime Minister) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

In line with the government's longstanding view, motions that cannot be debated or amended should not deal with complex foreign policy matters. The Australian government is gravely concerned about reports alleging that male citizens of the Republic of Chechnya who are assumed to be gay or bisexual are being persecuted. The government sought to negotiate alternative wording with Senator Rice to formulate a multiparty motion on this issue. However, agreement could not be reached. As such, there are elements of this motion that we are unable to support.