Fraser Anning Queensland, Katter's Australian Party
4:50 pm
I ask that general business notice of motion No. 1003 standing in my name today, relating to China, be taken as a formal motion.
Scott Ryan President
Is there any objection to this motion being taken as formal?
James McGrath Queensland, Liberal National Party, Assistant Minister to the Prime Minister
Yes.
Scott Ryan President
There has been an objection, so we will not proceed with that matter.
James McGrath Queensland, Liberal National Party, Assistant Minister to the Prime Minister
4:51 pm
I seek leave to make a short statement.
James McGrath Queensland, Liberal National Party, Assistant Minister to the Prime Minister
Formality was denied because, in line with the longstanding view of successive governments, given that formal motions cannot be debated or amended, they should not deal with complex or 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.
Fraser Anning Queensland, Katter's Australian Party
I seek leave to make a short statement.
Fraser Anning Queensland, Katter's Australian Party
We need to acknowledge the very real threat that Red China poses to us here in Australia. Its illegal construction of islands in the South China Sea, its long-range bombers that can reach Australia, and its buying of agricultural land and infrastructure, like the port of Darwin, pose a real threat. Agents of Beijing's gangster regime government are here in Australia coercing Chinese Australians, and if we ignore Red China's threat we do it at our peril.