Jenny McAllister (NSW, Australian Labor Party, Shadow Assistant Minister for Families and Communities) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I ask that general business notice of motion No. 1257 standing in my name for today, relating to the Saharawi people 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?

An honourable senator interjecting—

There is an objection.

Jenny McAllister (NSW, Australian Labor Party, Shadow Assistant Minister for Families and Communities) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I do not intend to seek to suspend standing orders, but I do seek leave to make a short statement.

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

Leave is granted for one minute.

Jenny McAllister (NSW, Australian Labor Party, Shadow Assistant Minister for Families and Communities) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I brought this motion to the Senate today because of concern amongst my constituents for the Saharawi people. This motion largely restates the UN's position on Western Sahara and Australia's endorsement of it. As a DFAT official explained at estimates earlier this year, we support UN efforts to find an enduring settlement for the people of Western Sahara. During our time on the UN Security Council Australia participated in regular consultations on the issue. We commend the ongoing efforts of the UN mission and the Secretary-General's personal envoy, who is attempting to resolve the issue. I hope resolution is achieved. The people of the Western Sahara deserve it.

Anne Ruston (SA, Liberal Party, Assistant Minister for International Development and the Pacific) 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.

Anne Ruston (SA, Liberal Party, Assistant Minister for International Development and the Pacific) 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 mandates of the United Nations peacekeeping missions are matters for the UN General Assembly and Security Council to consider in the correct forum and in the context of the resolutions passed by member states. Australia is a longstanding and strong supporter of the United Nations and other bodies such as the Human Rights Council. Successive Australian governments have used these forums to properly consider and decide the UN approach to issues of human rights, peace and peacekeeping and conflict resolution.

Richard Di Natale (Victoria, Australian Greens) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Mr President, just for the record, we would have supported that motion. We certainly don't support the current practice of denying leave for selective foreign policy motions. We agree with the sentiment expressed by the Australian Labor Party on this issue.