The Senate should not consider and vote on foreign policy motions of this kind without the ability to have a full debate given they involve serious and substantial issues.
Full speech
Senator McGRATH (Queensland—Assistant Minister to the Prime Minister) (16:21): I seek leave to make a short statement.
The PRESIDENT: Leave is granted for one minute.
Senator McGRATH: 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 they involve serious and substantial issues.