Fraser Anning (Queensland, Independent) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I ask that general business notice of motion No. 1283, standing in my name and the names of Senators Stoker and O'Sullivan for today relating to Queensland abortion laws, 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. Leave is not granted.

Fraser Anning (Queensland, Independent) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Pursuant to contingent notice, I move:

That so much of the standing orders be suspended as would prevent me moving a motion that general business notice of motion No. 1283 may be moved immediately and determined without amendment or debate.

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

Pursuant to the order adopted last week, that procedural motion is put without debate. The question is that the motion to suspend standing orders to allow motion No. 1283 to be dealt with as a formal motion be agreed to.

Fraser Anning (Queensland, Independent) 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, Independent) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Section 313 of the Queensland Criminal Code formally contains offences in relation to the killing of an unborn child, stating, inter alia:

Any person who … prevents the child from being born alive by any act or omission … would be deemed to have unlawfully killed the child, is guilty of a crime, and is liable to imprisonment for life.

However, under the Palaszczuk Termination of Pregnancy Act 2018, this section of the Queensland Criminal Code was amended by inserting a new subsection, subsection 313(1A), which states:

A person does not commit an offence … by performing a termination, or assisting in the performance of a termination, under the Termination of Pregnancy Act 2018.

This is the legal proof that the Queensland Labor government has legalised murder.

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

The opposition have decided to deny formality to this motion because we believe that issues such as the one raised in this motion should not be dealt with in formal business. We have made this position clear on several occasions when similar motions have been moved in this place, and this decision to deny formality is consistent with that approach. I would like to briefly remind senators of the comments made by the President of the Senate just last week, where he said:

What was once a time to deal with matters that didn't require debate or amendment has become a pseudo-debate where senators are required to vote on matters without an opportunity for discussion. What was once non-contentious is now the most combative business period. It isn't serving its purpose and is rapidly cascading into farce.

This motion seeks to have the Senate vote quickly on a matter which many senators hold deep and personal views on. I would also like to note that moving motions in this chamber that relate to issues that the federal parliament does not have any direct legislative jurisdiction over is not the correct use of the Senate's time.

Derryn Hinch (Victoria, Derryn Hinch's Justice Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I seek leave to make a short statement.

Leave not granted.

Larissa Waters (Queensland, Australian Greens) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I seek leave to make a short statement.

Leave not granted.