30th Sep 2014, 5:21 PM – Senate Committees - Certain Aspects of Queensland Government Administration - Include Bligh Government in inquiry
Summary
EditThe majority disagreed that the select committee's inquiry should include the former Bligh Government (that is, that the period of inquiry should begin on 21 March 2009 rather than 26 March 2012). This was proposed by Liberal Senator Eric Abetz.
What will the committee do?
The select committee will inquire into and report on:
- what the Queensland Government has done with funds given to them by the Federal Government since 26 March 2012 (which is when Premier Campbell Newman took up his office);
- judicial independence and separation of powers;
- the approval process for development projects related to exporting resources or services;
- whether the Queensland Government's policies are consistent with Australia's obligations under international law, including environmental law and human rights instruments; and
- how appropriate it is for the Federal Minister for the Environment to delegate his approval powers to the Queensland Government under the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999.
But! Because of Australia's federal system of government, the committee can only look into these things if they in some way relate to the Commonwealth.
Palmer United Party Senator Glenn Lazarus explained that he believed the committee was necessary because "serious issues have been raised across the community regarding Queensland government appointments, judicial appointments, project approvals, use of funds, policies and practices, environmental degradation and various other matters" (see his full explanation).
Background to the motion
This is the second time that Palmer United Party Senator Glenn Lazarus has introduced this motion. The first time failed because Liberal Senator Eric Abetz managed to amend the motion so the period of inquiry would begin from 21 March 2009 and therefore include former Labor Premier Anna Bligh's government.
Following that successful amendment, the motion lost the Labor Party's support and so was voted down without a division (see ABC News).
Votes Not passed by a small majority
Nobody rebelled against their party.
Party | Votes | |
---|---|---|
Australian Greens (100% turnout) | 0 Yes – 10 No | |
Richard Di Natale Victoria | No | |
Sarah Hanson-Young SA | No | |
Scott Ludlam WA | No | |
Christine Milne Tasmania | No | |
Lee Rhiannon NSW | No | |
Janet Rice Victoria | No | |
Rachel Siewert WA | No | |
Larissa Waters Queensland | No | |
Peter Whish-Wilson Tasmania | No | |
Penny Wright SA | No | |
Australian Labor Party (67% turnout) | 0 Yes – 16 No | |
Catryna Bilyk Tasmania | No | |
Joe Bullock WA | No | |
Jacinta Collins Victoria | No | |
Alex Gallacher SA | No | |
Chris Ketter Queensland | No | |
Sue Lines WA | No | |
Joe Ludwig Queensland | No | |
Jan McLucas Queensland | No | |
Claire Moore Queensland | No | |
Deborah O'Neill NSW | No | |
Nova Peris NT | No | |
Helen Polley Tasmania | No | |
Lisa Singh Tasmania | No | |
Glenn Sterle WA | No | |
Anne Urquhart Tasmania | No | |
Penny Wong SA | No | |
Carol Brown Tasmania | Absent | |
Doug Cameron NSW | Absent | |
Kim Carr Victoria | Absent | |
Stephen Conroy Victoria | Absent | |
Sam Dastyari NSW | Absent | |
John Faulkner NSW | Absent | |
Kate Lundy ACT | Absent | |
Anne McEwen SA | Absent | |
Ricky Muir Victoria Australian Motoring Enthusiast Party | No | |
Nigel Scullion NT Country Liberal Party | Absent | |
John Madigan Victoria Democratic Labor Party | Yes | |
Gavin Marshall Victoria Deputy President | No | |
Bob Day SA Family First Party | Yes | |
John Madigan Victoria Independent | Absent | |
David Leyonhjelm NSW Liberal Democratic Party | Yes | |
Liberal National Party (100% turnout) | 2 Yes – 0 No | |
Matthew Canavan Queensland | Yes | |
James McGrath Queensland | Yes | |
Liberal Party (80% turnout) | 20 Yes – 0 No | |
Eric Abetz Tasmania | Yes | |
Christopher Back WA | Yes | |
Cory Bernardi SA | Yes | |
Simon Birmingham SA | Yes | |
David Bushby Tasmania | Yes | |
Michaelia Cash WA | Yes | |
Richard Colbeck Tasmania | Yes | |
David Fawcett SA | Yes | |
Concetta Fierravanti-Wells NSW | Yes | |
Mitch Fifield Victoria | Yes | |
Bill Heffernan NSW | Yes | |
Ian Macdonald Queensland | Yes | |
Brett Mason Queensland | Yes | |
Marise Payne NSW | Yes | |
Linda Reynolds WA | Yes | |
Michael Ronaldson Victoria | Yes | |
Anne Ruston SA | Yes | |
Scott Ryan Victoria | Yes | |
Zed Seselja ACT | Yes | |
Arthur Sinodinos NSW | Yes | |
George Brandis Queensland | Absent | |
Mathias Cormann WA | Absent | |
Sean Edwards SA | Absent | |
David Johnston WA | Absent | |
Dean Smith WA | Absent | |
National Party (50% turnout) | 2 Yes – 0 No | |
Bridget McKenzie Victoria | Yes | |
Barry O'Sullivan Queensland | Yes | |
Fiona Nash NSW | Absent | |
John Williams NSW | Absent | |
Nick Xenophon SA Nick Xenophon Team | Absent | |
Palmer United Party (100% turnout) | 0 Yes – 3 No | |
Jacqui Lambie Tasmania | No | |
Glenn Lazarus Queensland | No | |
Dio Wang WA | No | |
Stephen Parry Tasmania President | Yes | |
Totals (78% turnout) | 28 Yes – 31 No |
Turnout is the percentage of members eligible to vote that did vote.