27th Oct 2009, 3:50 PM – Senate Motions - Asylum Seekers - Language and law
Summary
EditThe majority voted against a motion introduced by Greens Senator Sarah Hanson-Young (SA), which means it failed.
Motion text
That the Senate—
(a) recognises each senator’s role as community leaders and the collective responsibility to conduct debates on matters of public importance in a respectful and accurate manner, using language that is constructive and appropriate; and
(b) agrees that all debate on the issue of asylum seekers and border protection is framed within the law, terms and definitions of the:
(a) United Nations Convention relating to the Status of Refugees (1951);
(b) Migration Act 1958;
(c) Criminal Code Act 1995;
(d) Racial Discrimination Act 1975; and
(e) Anti-Discrimination Act 1977 (NSW).
Votes Not passed by a large majority
Nobody rebelled against their party.
| Party | Votes | |
|---|---|---|
| Australian Greens (100% turnout) | 5 Yes – 0 No | |
| Bob Brown Tasmania | Yes | |
| Sarah Hanson-Young SA | Yes | |
| Scott Ludlam WA | Yes | |
| Christine Milne Tasmania | Yes | |
| Rachel Siewert WA | Yes | |
| Australian Labor Party (61% turnout) | 0 Yes – 19 No | |
| Catryna Bilyk Tasmania | No | |
| Carol Brown Tasmania | No | |
| Doug Cameron NSW | No | |
| Trish Crossin NT | No | |
| Don Farrell SA | No | |
| David Feeney Victoria | No | |
| Annette Hurley SA | No | |
| Steve Hutchins NSW | No | |
| Joe Ludwig Queensland | No | |
| Kate Lundy ACT | No | |
| Gavin Marshall Victoria | No | |
| Anne McEwen SA | No | |
| Jan McLucas Queensland | No | |
| Kerry O'Brien Tasmania | No | |
| Helen Polley Tasmania | No | |
| Louise Pratt WA | No | |
| Ursula Stephens NSW | No | |
| Glenn Sterle WA | No | |
| Dana Wortley SA | No | |
| Mark Arbib NSW | Absent | |
| Mark Bishop WA | Absent | |
| Kim Carr Victoria | Absent | |
| Jacinta Collins Victoria | Absent | |
| Stephen Conroy Victoria | Absent | |
| Chris Evans WA | Absent | |
| John Faulkner NSW | Absent | |
| Michael Forshaw NSW | Absent | |
| Mark Furner Queensland | Absent | |
| Claire Moore Queensland | Absent | |
| Nick Sherry Tasmania | Absent | |
| Penny Wong SA | Absent | |
| Nigel Scullion NT Country Liberal Party | Absent | |
| Alan Ferguson SA Deputy President | No | |
| Steve Fielding Victoria Family First Party | No | |
| Nick Xenophon SA Independent | No | |
| Liberal Party (50% turnout) | 0 Yes – 15 No | |
| Christopher Back WA | No | |
| Cory Bernardi SA | No | |
| Simon Birmingham SA | No | |
| Sue Boyce Queensland | No | |
| David Bushby Tasmania | No | |
| Michaelia Cash WA | No | |
| Richard Colbeck Tasmania | No | |
| Helen Coonan NSW | No | |
| Mathias Cormann WA | No | |
| Concetta Fierravanti-Wells NSW | No | |
| Helen Kroger Victoria | No | |
| Nick Minchin SA | No | |
| Stephen Parry Tasmania | No | |
| Scott Ryan Victoria | No | |
| Judith Troeth Victoria | No | |
| Eric Abetz Tasmania | Absent | |
| Judith Adams WA | Absent | |
| Guy Barnett Tasmania | Absent | |
| George Brandis Queensland | Absent | |
| Alan Eggleston WA | Absent | |
| Mitch Fifield Victoria | Absent | |
| Mary Fisher SA | Absent | |
| Bill Heffernan NSW | Absent | |
| Gary Humphries ACT | Absent | |
| David Johnston WA | Absent | |
| Ian Macdonald Queensland | Absent | |
| Brett Mason Queensland | Absent | |
| Marise Payne NSW | Absent | |
| Michael Ronaldson Victoria | Absent | |
| Russell Trood Queensland | Absent | |
| National Party (60% turnout) | 0 Yes – 3 No | |
| Ron Boswell Queensland | No | |
| Fiona Nash NSW | No | |
| John Williams NSW | No | |
| Barnaby Joyce Queensland | Absent | |
| Julian McGauran Victoria | Absent | |
| John Hogg Queensland President | Absent | |
| Totals (59% turnout) | 5 Yes – 40 No |
Turnout is the percentage of members eligible to vote that did vote.