Senate debates

Wednesday, 11 November 2020

Motions

World Economic Forum

4:08 pm

Photo of Pauline HansonPauline Hanson (Queensland, Pauline Hanson's One Nation Party) Share this | | Hansard source

I move:

That the Senate—

(a) notes that adopting the policies of the World Economic Forum's proposed 'Great Reset' would have a devastating impact on the economic wellbeing and individual freedoms of Australians; and

(b) calls on the Government to boycott all World Economic Forum events in protest of their 'Great Reset' agenda.

Photo of Anne RustonAnne Ruston (SA, Liberal Party, Minister for Families and Social Services) Share this | | Hansard source

I seek leave to make a short statement.

Photo of Scott RyanScott Ryan (President) Share this | | Hansard source

Leave is granted for one minute.

Photo of Anne RustonAnne Ruston (SA, Liberal Party, Minister for Families and Social Services) Share this | | Hansard source

The Australian government participates in a wide variety of international fora designed to enhance collaboration and address global challenges. These fora reflect a diversity of views from governments, business, academia and civil society. In each of these fora, the Australian government robustly represents Australia's position and will not be part of any communique or agreement that does not reflect Australia's values or interests. However, we reject the notion of boycotting discussions.

4:09 pm

Photo of Janet RiceJanet Rice (Victoria, Australian Greens) Share this | | Hansard source

I seek leave to make a short statement.

Photo of Scott RyanScott Ryan (President) Share this | | Hansard source

Leave is granted for one minute.

Photo of Janet RiceJanet Rice (Victoria, Australian Greens) Share this | | Hansard source

The Greens are opposed to this motion which reflects the sad, insular and fear filled agenda of One Nation running scared of Agenda 21, the Illuminati and the shadowy cabals that supposedly control the world. In contrast, the Great Reset is a very modest World Economic Forum initiative aiming for cooperation amongst global stakeholders to manage the direct consequences of the COVID-19 crisis. One Nation is criticising it in response to COVID-19 because, they say, it would negatively impact on our economic wellbeing and individual freedoms, but the truth is that, unless we take this pandemic seriously and cooperate globally, dying of coronavirus actually has a much more serious impact on our individual and economic freedoms.

Photo of Scott RyanScott Ryan (President) Share this | | Hansard source

The question is that the motion moved by Senator Hanson be agreed to.