10th Feb 2016, 3:16 PM – Representatives Motions - Prime Minister; Attempted Censure - Suspend standing orders

The majority voted against a motion introduced by Leader of the Opposition Bill Shorten, which means it was unsuccessful

Motion text

That so much of the standing orders be suspended as would prevent the Member for Maribyrnong from moving the following motion forthwith—

That the House:

(1) notes the Minister for Human Services assisted Nimrod Resources during a trip to China in August 2014 by:

(a) participating in a signing ceremony to seal a mining deal between Nimrod Resources and a Chinese state-owned company;

(b) presenting what have been described as a "medal" from the Prime Minister and a "letter of appointment" to an official of the Chinese state-owned company; and

(c) meeting with the Chinese Vice-Minister for Land and Resources accompanied by executives of Nimrod Resources;

(2) further notes that:

(a) before he travelled to China in August 2014, the Minister for Human Services did not advise Australian officials that he was to meet with the Chinese Vice-Minister for Land and Resources accompanied by executives of Nimrod Resources;

(b) the Government is refusing to disclose whether Defence security protocols were breached by the Minister while he was in China;

(c) the principal of Nimrod Resources, Paul Marks, has donated more than $2 million to the Liberal Party in the past two financial years; and

(d) the Minister for Human Services has already admitted to the House that he was travelling in a personal capacity when he assisted Nimrod Resources during his trip to China, and therefore, his actions were a direct breach of Clause 2.20 of the Prime Minister's own Statement of Ministerial Standards; and

(3) censures the Prime Minister for failing to enforce his own Statement of Ministerial Standards and sack the Minister for Human Services.