Stirling Griff (SA, Centre Alliance) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I ask that general business notice of motion No. 1326, standing in my name for today, relating to China, be taken as a formal motion.

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

Is there any objection? There is an objection. Formality is denied.

Stirling Griff (SA, Centre Alliance) 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.

Stirling Griff (SA, Centre Alliance) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

This motion was not a complex foreign matter. It simply acknowledged what the government had already done and asked that it continue engaging with China on human rights. Most of the crossbench have no issue with it. Indeed, I understand the alternative, Labor, government had no issues either. It's cowardly for the Liberal government to take this action.

We should never be so beholden to a foreign nation that we're afraid to engage on even the most minor inoffensive motion. This cop-out is particularly disappointing, given yesterday's Thank You Australia event hosted by the Tibetan community in exile and the fact that they presented a gift to this government, which was accepted by Minister Ken Wyatt. Denying formality makes that acceptance very hollow.

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

Despite what Senator Griff has just put on the record, the government remains committed to operating in line with its longstanding view that motions that cannot be debated or amended should not deal with complex foreign policy matters. We believe this is such. The government remains concerned about human rights in several countries, including important issues of freedom of speech, freedom of religious expression, the treatment of ethnic minorities and the rights of women and children. Australia raised concerns with China during the Universal Periodic Review of the UN Human Rights Council. We continue to urge China and certain other nations to introduce meaningful human rights reforms.

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

It being 12.45, pursuant to order, I'll call the Clerk.