Summary

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The majority voted in favour a motion to investigate cadmium levels in the Republic of Nauru, the health risks of exposure and to test refugees and asylum seekers for elevated cadmium levels.

Although these motions represent the will of the Senate, they do not have any legal force, so the Government doesn't have to do what they say. However, they can be a good source of encouragement.

Motion text

That the Senate—

(a) notes that:

(i) the Nauruan environment was damaged by extensive phosphate mining throughout the twentieth century creating cadmium residue,

(ii) the World Health Organisation classifies cadmium as a human carcinogen, which has toxic effects on the kidneys, skeletal and respiratory system, and

(iii) the levels of cadmium remain unknown and refugees and asylum seekers on Nauru are yet to be tested for elevated levels of cadmium in their bodies; and

(b) calls on the Government to investigate the presence of cadmium in the Republic of Nauru and the health risks associated with prolonged cadmium and phosphate exposure, and test refugees and people seeking asylum for elevated cadmium levels.

Votes Passed by a small majority

Nobody rebelled against their party.

Party Votes
Cory Bernardi SA Australian Conservatives No
Australian Greens (100% turnout) 9 Yes 0 No
Richard Di Natale Victoria Yes
Sarah Hanson-Young SA Yes
Scott Ludlam WA Yes
Nick McKim Tasmania Yes
Lee Rhiannon NSW Yes
Janet Rice Victoria Yes
Rachel Siewert WA Yes
Larissa Waters Queensland Yes
Peter Whish-Wilson Tasmania Yes
Australian Labor Party (72% turnout) 18 Yes 0 No
Carol Brown Tasmania Yes
Kim Carr Victoria Yes
Anthony Chisholm Queensland Yes
Jacinta Collins Victoria Yes
Sam Dastyari NSW Yes
Patrick Dodson WA Yes
Katy Gallagher ACT Yes
Chris Ketter Queensland Yes
Kimberley Kitching Victoria Yes
Sue Lines WA Yes
Jenny McAllister NSW Yes
Malarndirri McCarthy NT Yes
Claire Moore Queensland Yes
Helen Polley Tasmania Yes
Louise Pratt WA Yes
Glenn Sterle WA Yes
Anne Urquhart Tasmania Yes
Penny Wong SA Yes
Catryna Bilyk Tasmania Absent
Doug Cameron NSW Absent
Don Farrell SA Absent
Alex Gallacher SA Absent
Gavin Marshall Victoria Absent
Deborah O'Neill NSW Absent
Lisa Singh Tasmania Absent
Murray Watt Queensland Absent
Nigel Scullion NT Country Liberal Party No
Derryn Hinch Victoria Derryn Hinch's Justice Party Yes
Gavin Marshall Victoria Deputy President Yes
Sue Lines WA Deputy President Absent
Jacqui Lambie Tasmania Independent Yes
Lucy Gichuhi SA Independent Absent
David Leyonhjelm NSW Liberal Democratic Party No
Liberal National Party (100% turnout) 0 Yes 2 No
Matthew Canavan Queensland No
James McGrath Queensland No
Liberal Party (81% turnout) 0 Yes 17 No
Eric Abetz Tasmania No
Christopher Back WA No
Simon Birmingham SA No
David Bushby Tasmania No
Michaelia Cash WA No
Jonathon Duniam Tasmania No
David Fawcett SA No
Concetta Fierravanti-Wells NSW No
Mitch Fifield Victoria No
Jane Hume Victoria No
Ian Macdonald Queensland No
James Paterson Victoria No
Linda Reynolds WA No
Anne Ruston SA No
Scott Ryan Victoria No
Zed Seselja ACT No
Arthur Sinodinos NSW No
George Brandis Queensland Absent
Mathias Cormann WA Absent
Marise Payne NSW Absent
Dean Smith WA Absent
National Party (75% turnout) 0 Yes 3 No
Fiona Nash NSW No
Barry O'Sullivan Queensland No
John Williams NSW No
Bridget McKenzie Victoria Absent
Nick Xenophon Team (100% turnout) 3 Yes 0 No
Stirling Griff SA Yes
Skye Kakoschke-Moore SA Yes
Nick Xenophon SA Yes
Pauline Hanson's One Nation Party (100% turnout) 0 Yes 4 No
Brian Burston NSW No
Peter Georgiou WA No
Pauline Hanson Queensland No
Malcolm Roberts Queensland No
Stephen Parry Tasmania President No
Totals (83% turnout) 33 Yes – 30 No