Senate debates Motions

Environment


Cory Bernardi

Cory Bernardi SA, Australian Conservatives

4:28 pm

I move:

That the Senate—

(a) holds that human life is more important than animal life; and

(b) calls upon the Government to prioritise human life in all portfolio areas, including the environment portfolio when balancing fire prevention against biodiversity conservation.

Lee Rhiannon

Lee Rhiannon NSW, Australian Greens

Mr President, Homo sapiens are part—

Scott Ryan

Scott Ryan President

I gather you're seeking leave to make a statement?

Lee Rhiannon

Lee Rhiannon NSW, Australian Greens

Sorry, Mr President; I'm seeking leave to make a short statement.

Scott Ryan

Scott Ryan President

Leave is granted for one minute.

Lee Rhiannon

Lee Rhiannon NSW, Australian Greens

Homo sapiens are part of the Animalia kingdom, or, to put it in plain English for Senator Cory Bernardi, humans are animals. Senator Bernardi is an animal. Given that this motion fails high-school-level biology, the Greens cannot take seriously any argument that Senator Bernardi has to make on the complex issues of biodiversity conservation and fire management in our forests.

Cory Bernardi

Cory Bernardi SA, Australian Conservatives

4:29 pm

I seek leave to make a very brief statement.

Scott Ryan

Scott Ryan President

Leave is granted for one minute.

Cory Bernardi

Cory Bernardi SA, Australian Conservatives

Mr President, I can only throw the lures out; I can't help if the fools bite.

Question agreed to.