Cory Bernardi (SA, Australian Conservatives) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I move:

That the Senate—

(a) notes that Mr Tom Raue, recently preselected as the New South Wales Greens candidate for the inner Sydney seat of Summer Hill, once wrote in a student newspaper column “why is consensual sex with animals considered so heinous that it must be illegal? Why is it taboo to even talk about it? Yes most Australians find it disgusting, but that is not a good enough reason to legislate against it. Consensual sex with an animal should not be illegal, no matter how distasteful it may seem”;

(b) further notes that these statements are in keeping with the writings of Victorian Greens Party co-founder and former candidate, Professor Peter Singer, who has also sought to break down taboos on sexual relations between humans and animals; and

(c) rejects all pushes by the Greens and other activists to promote sexual intimacy between humans and animals.

Anthony Chisholm (Queensland, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I seek leave to make a short statement.

Scott Ryan (President) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Leave is granted for one minute.

Anthony Chisholm (Queensland, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Labor agrees with the policy proposition in paragraph (c) and unreservedly rejects any such proposals. For this reason, we support the substantive motion. However, we do have concerns about the appropriateness of motions such as this that contain various assertions of fact, including some that have been taken as reflections on members of this chamber, being dealt with in a manner that does not allow debate.

Pauline Hanson (Queensland, Pauline Hanson's One Nation Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Can I seek clarification from Senator Bernardi on an element of this notice of motion?

Scott Ryan (President) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

If you ask the chair, I'll see what I can do.

Pauline Hanson (Queensland, Pauline Hanson's One Nation Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I need clarification on consensual sex with an animal. Is the suggestion of consent for an animal one cluck for yes and two clucks for no?

Scott Ryan (President) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I'm going to put the motion. The question is that motion No. 957 be agreed to.

Question agreed to.