3rd Aug 2023, 3:10 PM – Representatives Motions - Prime Minister - Let another vote take place

The majority voted against a motion introduced by Dickson MP and Leader of the Opposition Peter Dutton (Liberal), which means it failed. The motion was to suspend the usual procedural motions - known as standing orders - in order to let another vote take place.

There was one rebellion, with Bass MP Bridget Archer (Liberal) crossing the floor to vote "No" against the rest of her party.

Motion text

That so much of the standing and sessional orders be suspended as would prevent the Leader of the Opposition from moving the following motion—

That the House:

(1) notes the Prime Minister is dividing the nation with his divisive voice proposal by deliberately refusing to provide detail to the Australian people;

(2) further notes the Prime Minister promised on 34 occasions to implement the Uluru Statement from the Heart in full, which includes the Makarrata Commission's national treaty-making process, but has since continually denied there will be a treaty;

(3) notes the Minister for Indigenous Australians said work on a treaty was to start within weeks but the Prime Minister is now walking that back and in two train wreck media interviews, the Prime Minister is telling different audiences different things on the treaty;

(4) further notes that despite the Prime Minister being shifty on whether a treaty is being worked on, he has already allocated $5.8 million for the Makarrata Commission national treaty-making process but refuses to explain how $900,000 of this money has already been spent;

(5) notes that the Government's Minister for Indigenous Australians has treated this House with contempt by repeatedly and consistently failing to answer direct questions in Question Time; and

(6) condemns the Prime Minister for his complete inability to be upfront and honest with the Australian people and calls on the Prime Minister to explain today in plain language what:

(a) The Voice will be, how it will be structured and how it will operate;

(b) the Makarrata Commission will be, how it will be structured and how it will operate;

(c) the money for the Makarrata Commission is being spent on; and

(d) the treaty making process will be, how long it will take, and what the financial implications for the Commonwealth and for taxpayers will be.