Richard Di Natale (Victoria, Australian Greens) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I ask that general business notice of motion No. 927, standing in my name and the name of Senator Rhiannon for today, relating to the humanitarian crisis in Bangladesh, be taken as a formal motion.

Sue Lines (WA, Deputy-President) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

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

James McGrath (Queensland, Liberal National Party, Assistant Minister to the Prime Minister) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Yes.

Richard Di Natale (Victoria, Australian Greens) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

In lieu of suspending standing orders, I seek leave to make a one-minute statement.

Sue Lines (WA, Deputy-President) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Leave is granted for one minute.

Richard Di Natale (Victoria, Australian Greens) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Once again we see the Liberal Party blocking the will of the Senate and refusing to allow us the chance to vote on an important motion. The Greens are extremely concerned about reports that Bangladeshi security forces have killed more than 100 people in the last few months. Members of Australia's Bangladeshi community have raised their fears directly with us. They want us to raise this issue in our parliament. We reiterate the call of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights that extrajudicial killings must be halted and halted immediately. As Bangladesh's regional neighbour, I hope that the government will show come courage, encourage proper judicial processes, call for the immediate release of political prisoners and help the Bangladeshi government with the ongoing humanitarian crisis in the region.

James McGrath (Queensland, Liberal National Party, Assistant Minister to the Prime Minister) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I seek leave to make a short statement.

Scott Ryan (President) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Leave is granted for one minute.

James McGrath (Queensland, Liberal National Party, Assistant Minister to the Prime Minister) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

In line with the longstanding view of successive governments, given that formal motions cannot be debated or amended, they should not deal with complex and contested foreign policy matters. The Senate should not consider and vote on foreign policy motions of this kind without the ability to have a full debate given that they involve serious and substantial issues.