Raff Ciccone (Victoria, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I ask that general business notice of motion No. 183 standing in the name of Senator Wong relating to Turkey's operations in Syria 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?

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

Just a point of clarification, Mr President: my understanding was that the convention in this place adopted by both the Liberal Party and the Labor Party is that foreign policy motions are of a complex nature and shouldn't be debated in the chamber. So I'm seeking your advice on that.

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

That's not a point of order. As you described it, it was a point of clarification. Any senator is capable of denying any matter being dealt with as a formal motion in general business. My role as the chair is to give every senator that option. I've given that option. I've heard no objection.

Raff Ciccone (Victoria, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

On that note, on behalf of Senator Wong, I move:

That the Senate—

(a) notes with great concern:

  (i) Turkey's military operation targeting Kurds in northern Syria,

  (ii) Turkey's actions which are causing further destabilisation in the region, worsening the humanitarian disaster in Syria, and risk undermining progress against Daesh, and

  (iii) evidence that innocent civilians are being killed and injured by Turkey's military operations in Syria;

(b) recognises that the Kurdish forces in Syria have:

  (i) been instrumental in fighting Daesh as an ally of the Global Coalition to Defeat Daesh/ISIS, and

  (ii) lost over 10,000 fighters in the fight against Daesh in Syria; and

(c) calls on the Federal Government to urge Turkey to cease its unilateral military operations in Syria.

Question agreed to.