Peter Whish-Wilson (Tasmania, Australian Greens) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I seek leave to table a document.

Leave not granted.

Mehreen Faruqi (NSW, Australian Greens) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Senator Whish-Wilson, on a point of order.

Peter Whish-Wilson (Tasmania, Australian Greens) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

There's no reason for One Nation to deny me formality on a petition. There are 200,000 Australians who want a petition to be tabled in parliament. Could I seek leave to table a document?

Mehreen Faruqi (NSW, Australian Greens) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Senator Whish-Wilson, formality has been denied.

Peter Whish-Wilson (Tasmania, Australian Greens) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Could I seek the chamber's indulgence and, just one more time please, attempt to seek to table a document?

An honourable senator: Say what it's about on the record Peter.

The document is a non-conforming petition calling for Julian Assange to be brought back to Australia.

Mehreen Faruqi (NSW, Australian Greens) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

On a point of order, Senator Urquhart.

Anne Urquhart (Tasmania, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Could I just inform the chamber that the documents that are sought to be tabled did go to the whips meeting on a number of occasions, and it was agreed at the whips meeting for leave to be granted to table those documents. So I just want to make it very clear that that has gone to the whips meeting, and it has been agreed for these documents, these petitions, to be tabled. They are non-conforming petitions, and this is the place where they are to be tabled. I just wanted to make that clear.

Mehreen Faruqi (NSW, Australian Greens) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Thank you. Senator Smith?

Dean Smith (WA, Liberal Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Madam Acting Deputy President, Senator Urquhart is right to a point. The custom is that information about non-conforming petitions is shared at the cross-whips meetings and advice is then sought. But it is still free for any individual senator to deny leave, which, if I've understood the situation correctly, is exactly what has happened in this situation.

Mehreen Faruqi (NSW, Australian Greens) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Senator Hanson?

Pauline Hanson (Queensland, Pauline Hanson's One Nation Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

In light of it being brought to our attention what the petition is about, I am quite prepared to withdraw my refusal to allow it to be tabled.

Mehreen Faruqi (NSW, Australian Greens) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I will put the question again. Is leave granted? Senator Whish-Wilson?

Peter Whish-Wilson (Tasmania, Australian Greens) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

If we could start from scratch: I seek leave to table a document.

Leave granted.

I table a nonconforming petition calling for Julian Assange to be freed and brought back to Australia.