Anne Urquhart (Tasmania, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I ask that general business notice of motion No. 1275, standing in the names of Senators Wong and Singh for today, relating to nuclear war risk reduction, be taken as a formal motion.

Sue Lines (WA, Deputy-President) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

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

Anne Ruston (SA, Liberal Party, Assistant Minister for International Development and the Pacific) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Yes.

Sue Lines (WA, Deputy-President) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

It's been denied, Senator Urquhart.

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

I seek leave to make a short statement.

Sue Lines (WA, Deputy-President) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Leave is granted for one minute.

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

This motion is intended to demonstrate support for nonproliferation. What it does do is expose the absolute hypocrisy of the ALP's position. If you're concerned about the threat of nuclear weapons, the obvious thing to do would be to support Australia's signing and ratifying of the nuclear weapons ban treaty. If you really want to make the world a safer place, sign on to the treaty. How about remembering those people who just won the Nobel Peace Prize, for which Australia should be incredibly proud. That's a position that you guys still can't bring yourself to support. We've given up, of course. We know that the government are the lackey of the United States and won't do anything, even when it advances our national interests and the global interest towards peace and disarmament. But you have an opportunity now, at your national conference, to do the right thing. I urge you to listen to Australians. If you're committed to nonproliferation, then sign the treaty.