Sarah Hanson-Young (SA, Australian Greens) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I ask that general business notice of motion No. 340 standing in my name for today relating to the ‘global gag rule’ for family planning guidelines be taken as a formal motion.

Alan Ferguson (SA, Deputy-President) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Is there any objection to this motion being taken as formal?

Kerry O'Brien (Tasmania, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Yes.

Alan Ferguson (SA, Deputy-President) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

There is an objection to the motion being taken as formal.

Bob Brown (Tasmania, Australian Greens) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

The government has objected to formality for that motion. The Greens will not insist that we go through the process of a half-hour debate now as to why the matter is urgent and should have a proper debate, but we can assure the government that the Greens will revisit this matter by the placing of a further motion, in particular in light of the Obama government’s move on this matter, to get the Rudd government to follow suit.