James McGrath (Queensland, Liberal National Party, Assistant Minister to the Prime Minister) Share this | Hansard source

In line with the government's longstanding view, motions that cannot be debated or amended should not deal with complex foreign policy matters. The Australian government is gravely concerned about reports alleging that male citizens of the Republic of Chechnya who are assumed to be gay or bisexual are being persecuted. The government sought to negotiate alternative wording with Senator Rice to formulate a multiparty motion on this issue. However, agreement could not be reached. As such, there are elements of this motion that we are unable to support.