Ian Macdonald (Queensland, Liberal Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Mr President, before I ask that the notice of motion be taken as formal, can I indicate that my fellow North Queensland senator, Senator Jan McLucas, a loyal and unrefined Cowboys supporter, as I am, also wants to be part of the motion, and I am very happy that Senator McLucas join me in this motion. I ask that the general business notice of motion No. 884 be taken as formal.

Jan McLucas (Queensland, Australian Labor Party, Shadow Minister for Mental Health) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Go Cowboys!

Stephen Parry (President) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Is there any objection to this motion being taken as formal? That was an interjection, Senator McLucas. There being no objection, I call Senator Macdonald.

Ian Macdonald (Queensland, Liberal Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I, and also on behalf of Senator McLucas, move:

That the Senate:

(a) notes that the North Queensland Cowboys Rugby League Team won its first ever National Rugby League Grand Final;

(b) congratulates Cowboys co-captain Johnathon Thurston on:

(i) his leadership,

(ii) his award of a record fourth Dally M Player of the Year Medal, and

(iii) winning the Clive Churchill Player of the Grand Final Medal and the Provan Summons Fans Choice Medal as the Best Player of the Year; and

(c) urges the Government to continue to support excellence in sport and the identification of role models.

Question agreed to.

Glenn Lazarus (Queensland, Independent) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I seek leave to amend general business notice of motion No. 885, standing in my name for today.

Leave granted.

I amend the motion in the terms circulated in the chamber, and I ask that it be taken as formal.

Stephen Parry (President) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

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

Ian Macdonald (Queensland, Liberal Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Mr President, I seek leave to make a short statement in relation to this motion.

Stephen Parry (President) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Leave is granted for one minute.

Ian Macdonald (Queensland, Liberal Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

In crafting the motion that Senator McLucas and I drafted, we wanted to highlight the great win of the Cowboys rugby league team and the excellence of its co-captain, Johnathan Thurston. We did not want to sully what is, in effect, a great sporting achievement by referring to any political matter whatsoever. So I am disappointed that this motion brings in some other issues that become matters of politics. I leave as an aside that it is moved by someone who actively supported the opponents and actually played for New South Wales in the State of Origin, but, all that aside, it is good that the opponents also—

Stephen Parry (President) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Order, Senator Macdonald. A point of order, Senator Lazarus?

Glenn Lazarus (Queensland, Independent) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

It is on relevance. What relevance does that have to the motion, honestly?

Stephen Parry (President) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

There is no point of order, Senator Lazarus, because Senator Macdonald sought leave of the Senate chamber, and he was granted leave for one minute to make a statement, so there is no issue on relevance. Senator Macdonald, you have 14 seconds left.

Ian Macdonald (Queensland, Liberal Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Thank you, Mr President. As I say, it is tremendous that even opponents are supporting the North Queensland Cowboys, and I appreciate that, but I would ask Senator Lazarus to consider removing paragraph (d) completely.

Stephen Parry (President) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Before I call you, Senator Lazarus, I will just clarify. I did ask whether there was any objection to the motion, as amended, being taken as formal. That is as far as we got. Is there any objection to that motion, as amended, being taken as formal? There being none, Senator Lazarus, I call you now to move your motion formally.

Glenn Lazarus (Queensland, Independent) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I move the motion as amended:

That the Senate—

(a) congratulates the North Queensland Cowboys on winning the 2015 National Rugby League Grand Final and Johnathan Thurston on winning the 2015 Clive Churchill Medal;

(b) recognises the positive impact of the win for the North Queensland region which is being impacted by drought and other social and economic challenges;

(c) acknowledges the important work of the North Queensland Cowboys in supporting and promoting the region; and

(d) calls on the Government to consider funding the construction of a new multi-purpose sporting venue in Townsville to accommodate North Queensland Cowboys home games and other local, state, national and international sporting and recreational events.

Question agreed to.

Senator Ian Macdonald interjecting—

Senator Lazarus interjecting—

Ian Macdonald (Queensland, Liberal Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

You are a thug—

Stephen Parry (President) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Order! Senator Macdonald, I ask you to withdraw that, please—and do not repeat it.

Ian Macdonald (Queensland, Liberal Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I will not repeat it—

Stephen Parry (President) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Thank you.

Ian Macdonald (Queensland, Liberal Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

but in case Senator Lazarus is offended and is going away to cry, I will withdraw it.

Stephen Parry (President) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

That does not help, Senator Macdonald.

Claire Moore (Queensland, Australian Labor Party, Shadow Minister for Women) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Mr President, I do not think that is the nature of an appropriate apology or withdrawal in this place.

Stephen Parry (President) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Thank you, Senator Moore. Senator Macdonald, it did not assist the situation. I just ask you to withdraw those remarks.

Ian Macdonald (Queensland, Liberal Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I'll withdraw it.

Stephen Parry (President) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Thank you, Senator Macdonald. Senator Lazarus, do you still want to take a point of order? Thank you, Senator Lazarus.