Jonathon Duniam (Tasmania, Liberal Party, Assistant Minister for Forestry and Fisheries) Share this | Hansard source

The government does not support Senator Patrick's motion. This motion contains inappropriate imputations about a distinguished senior public servant which would be further compounded if it were carried. The amendment is nothing but a sleight of hand, and the intent and outcome of the motion remain unchanged. Secretary Moriarty has served the Australian people with distinction in a life of public service. He was the senior negotiator with the Peace Monitoring Group in Bougainville and served as our ambassador to Iran, our ambassador to Indonesia and Australia's Commonwealth Counter-Terrorism Coordinator. The government is committed to working with senators where concerns are raised, but this motion is not an appropriate or constructive way to advance public debate or the public interest.