Anne Urquhart Tasmania, Australian Labor Party
4:09 pm
I ask that general business notice of motion No. 1275, standing in the names of Senators Wong and Singh for today, relating to nuclear war risk reduction, be taken as a formal motion.
Sue Lines Deputy-President
Is there any objection to the motion being taken as formal?
Anne Ruston SA, Liberal Party, Assistant Minister for International Development and the Pacific
Yes.
Richard Di Natale Victoria, Australian Greens
I seek leave to make a short statement.
Richard Di Natale Victoria, Australian Greens
This motion is intended to demonstrate support for nonproliferation. What it does do is expose the absolute hypocrisy of the ALP's position. If you're concerned about the threat of nuclear weapons, the obvious thing to do would be to support Australia's signing and ratifying of the nuclear weapons ban treaty. If you really want to make the world a safer place, sign on to the treaty. How about remembering those people who just won the Nobel Peace Prize, for which Australia should be incredibly proud. That's a position that you guys still can't bring yourself to support. We've given up, of course. We know that the government are the lackey of the United States and won't do anything, even when it advances our national interests and the global interest towards peace and disarmament. But you have an opportunity now, at your national conference, to do the right thing. I urge you to listen to Australians. If you're committed to nonproliferation, then sign the treaty.