Larissa Waters Queensland, Australian Greens
4:10 pm
I seek leave to amend general business notice of motion No. 1159 simply to add a date, relating to abortion law reform in Queensland, before asking that it be taken as a formal motion.
Leave granted.
I amend the motion in the terms circulated in the chamber and I ask that it be taken as formal.
Sue Lines Deputy-President
Is there any objection to the motion being taken as formal?
Senator O'Sullivan interjecting—
Okay. So we revert back to the original. Are you seeking a point of order, Senator O'Sullivan?
Barry O'Sullivan Queensland, National Party
I'm seeking a point of order to clarify the position.
Barry O'Sullivan Queensland, National Party
I did not object to the amendment. That amendment was made. I object to the formality now of the amended motion.
Sue Lines Deputy-President
Formality has been denied. Senator Waters, are you seeking the call?
Larissa Waters Queensland, Australian Greens
I am. In lieu of suspending standing orders, I seek leave to make a short statement.
Larissa Waters Queensland, Australian Greens
You may well be able to deny me leave to move this motion, Senator O'Sullivan, but you can no longer deny me or any woman the right to do what we choose with our bodies. Abortion is now legal in Queensland, after almost 120 years of it being a crime. This motion would simply have congratulated the hardworking advocates who championed for decades for women to have the right to make a decision about their own bodies. Senator O'Sullivan, taking the highly unusual step of denying me leave so that the Senate can't even consider this motion, typifies everything that's wrong with the abortion debate: men telling women what they can and can't do. Senator O'Sullivan is still trying to have the last say on abortion, but you lost that vote.
Sue Lines Deputy-President
Senator Waters, I do remind you to address your remarks—
Larissa Waters Queensland, Australian Greens
Through you, Deputy President.
Sue Lines Deputy-President
Senator Waters, please don't interrupt me when I'm speaking, and allow me to finish. I have asked you to direct your comments to the chair.
Larissa Waters Queensland, Australian Greens
Thank you, Deputy President. Through you, Senator O'Sullivan's days of having a say over women's bodies are over.
Barry O'Sullivan Queensland, National Party
4:12 pm
I seek leave to make a short statement.
Leave not granted.