Summary

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The majority disagreed with the motion introduced by Greens Senator Penny Wright, which opposes Bight Petroleum's application to conduct a seismic survey because of its potential to harm marine wildlife.

Wording of the motion

That the Senate—

(a) notes Bight Petroleum's referral of a proposed action under the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (Reference Number: 2012/6583);

(b) recognises the high likelihood of the proposed seismic survey encountering and having an adverse impact on:

(i) blue whales if undertaken between November and April,

(ii) southern right whales if undertaken between May and October, and

(iii) southern bluefin tuna if undertaken between December and April; and

(c) calls on the Minister for Sustainability, Environment, Water, Population and Communities (Mr Burke) to use his powers under the Act to reject Bight Petroleum's referral as clearly unacceptable to proceed at any time of year.

Votes Not passed by a modest majority

Nobody rebelled against their party.

Party Votes
Australian Greens (100% turnout) 9 Yes 0 No
Richard Di Natale Victoria Yes
Sarah Hanson-Young SA Yes
Scott Ludlam WA Yes
Christine Milne Tasmania Yes
Lee Rhiannon NSW Yes
Rachel Siewert WA Yes
Larissa Waters Queensland Yes
Peter Whish-Wilson Tasmania Yes
Penny Wright SA Yes
Australian Labor Party (77% turnout) 0 Yes 23 No
Catryna Bilyk Tasmania No
Mark Bishop WA No
Carol Brown Tasmania No
Doug Cameron NSW No
Bob Carr NSW No
Kim Carr Victoria No
Jacinta Collins Victoria No
Trish Crossin NT No
Don Farrell SA No
John Faulkner NSW No
Mark Furner Queensland No
Alex Gallacher SA No
Joe Ludwig Queensland No
Gavin Marshall Victoria No
Anne McEwen SA No
Jan McLucas Queensland No
Claire Moore Queensland No
Louise Pratt WA No
Lisa Singh Tasmania No
Ursula Stephens NSW No
Glenn Sterle WA No
Matt Thistlethwaite NSW No
Lin Thorp Tasmania No
Stephen Conroy Victoria Absent
Chris Evans WA Absent
David Feeney Victoria Absent
Kate Lundy ACT Absent
Helen Polley Tasmania Absent
Anne Urquhart Tasmania Absent
Penny Wong SA Absent
Nigel Scullion NT Country Liberal Party Absent
John Madigan Victoria Democratic Labor Party No
Stephen Parry Tasmania Deputy President No
Nick Xenophon SA Independent Absent
Liberal Party (41% turnout) 0 Yes 11 No
Cory Bernardi SA No
Simon Birmingham SA No
Sue Boyce Queensland No
Michaelia Cash WA No
Alan Eggleston WA No
Mitch Fifield Victoria No
Bill Heffernan NSW No
Gary Humphries ACT No
Helen Kroger Victoria No
Anne Ruston SA No
Dean Smith WA No
Eric Abetz Tasmania Absent
Christopher Back WA Absent
George Brandis Queensland Absent
David Bushby Tasmania Absent
Richard Colbeck Tasmania Absent
Mathias Cormann WA Absent
Sean Edwards SA Absent
David Fawcett SA Absent
Concetta Fierravanti-Wells NSW Absent
David Johnston WA Absent
Ian Macdonald Queensland Absent
Brett Mason Queensland Absent
Marise Payne NSW Absent
Michael Ronaldson Victoria Absent
Scott Ryan Victoria Absent
Arthur Sinodinos NSW Absent
National Party (60% turnout) 0 Yes 3 No
Ron Boswell Queensland No
Bridget McKenzie Victoria No
John Williams NSW No
Barnaby Joyce Queensland Absent
Fiona Nash NSW Absent
John Hogg Queensland President Absent
Totals (63% turnout) 9 Yes – 39 No