Fraser Anning (Queensland, Katter's Australian Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I ask that general business notice of motion No. 1003 standing in my name today, relating to China, be taken as a formal motion.

Scott Ryan (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.

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

There has been an objection, so we will not proceed with that matter.

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.

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

Leave is granted for one minute.

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

Formality was denied because, in line with the longstanding view of successive governments, given that formal motions cannot be debated or amended, they should not deal with complex or contested foreign policy matters. The Senate should not consider and vote on foreign policy motions of this kind without the ability to have a full debate, given that they involve serious and substantial issues.

Fraser Anning (Queensland, Katter's Australian 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.

Fraser Anning (Queensland, Katter's Australian Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

We need to acknowledge the very real threat that Red China poses to us here in Australia. Its illegal construction of islands in the South China Sea, its long-range bombers that can reach Australia, and its buying of agricultural land and infrastructure, like the port of Darwin, pose a real threat. Agents of Beijing's gangster regime government are here in Australia coercing Chinese Australians, and if we ignore Red China's threat we do it at our peril.