Senate debates

Wednesday, 13 November 2013

Motions

World Sight Day

3:49 pm

Photo of Lee RhiannonLee Rhiannon (NSW, Australian Greens) Share this | | Hansard source

I seek leave to amend general business notice of motion No. 8 standing in my name for today relating to World Sight Day, before asking that it be taken as a formal motion.

Photo of Alan FergusonAlan Ferguson (SA, Deputy-President) Share this | | Hansard source

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

Photo of Mitch FifieldMitch Fifield (Victoria, Liberal Party, Assistant Minister for Social Services) Share this | | Hansard source

It would be good to lay eyes on it. I am sure it is as agreed.

Photo of Alan FergusonAlan Ferguson (SA, Deputy-President) Share this | | Hansard source

Do you want to defer this until you actually sight it, Senator Fifield, or are you prepared to continue with the motion?

Photo of Mitch FifieldMitch Fifield (Victoria, Liberal Party, Assistant Minister for Social Services) Share this | | Hansard source

Or if Senator Rhiannon could read out the amendment.

Photo of Alan FergusonAlan Ferguson (SA, Deputy-President) Share this | | Hansard source

Senator Rhiannon, would you care to read the amendment out to the chamber? It appears there is an issue with it not being circulated.

Photo of Lee RhiannonLee Rhiannon (NSW, Australian Greens) Share this | | Hansard source

The amendment is to replace the current (c) with:

(c) calls on the Australian Government and partner countries to continue efforts to eliminate avoidable blindness in the Asia-Pacific and the Indian Ocean region, including through Vision 2020 Australia.

Photo of Alan FergusonAlan Ferguson (SA, Deputy-President) Share this | | Hansard source

Are senators clear with the wording of the amendment?

Senator Fifield interjecting

Could I suggest we defer this motion until a little bit later. I will deal with it just prior to getting to motions that may be a bit more contentious.