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senate vote 2017-05-10#7
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2017-05-13 16:19:08
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Title
Motions — Immigration Detention- Motions - Immigration Detention on Nauru - Test for cadmium
Description
<p class="speaker">Nick McKim</p><p>I seek leave to amend general business notice of motion No. 309 standing in my name for today relating to Nauruan cadmium levels.</p><p>Leave granted.</p>- The majority voted in favour a motion to investigate [cadmium](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cadmium) levels in the [Republic of Nauru](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nauru_Regional_Processing_Centre), 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](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nauru) throughout the twentieth century creating cadmium residue,*
- >> *(ii) the [World Health Organisation](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/World_Health_Organisation) classifies cadmium as a [human carcinogen](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/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.*
<p>I move the motion as amended:</p><p class="italic">That the Senate—</p><p class="italic">(a) notes that:</p><p class="italic">  (i) the Nauruan environment was damaged by extensive phosphate mining throughout the twentieth century creating cadmium residue,</p><p class="italic">  (ii) the World Health Organisation classifies cadmium as a human carcinogen, which has toxic effects on the kidneys, skeletal and respiratory system, and</p><p class="italic">  (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</p><p class="italic">(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.</p> <p class="speaker">James McGrath</p><p>I seek leave to make a short statement.</p> <p class="speaker">Stephen Parry</p><p>Leave is granted for one minute.</p> <p class="speaker">James McGrath</p><p>This is yet another Greens stunt. The Greens well know that the Australian government is not responsible for the management of cadmium on the Republic of Nauru. It is a matter for the government of Nauru. Regardless, there are no regional processing facilities located within the immediate vicinity of any active mining operations, and extensive dust minimisation strategies are in place on Nauru. If the Greens cared about refugees on Nauru, they would support the government's strong and consistent border protection policies rather than constantly trying to play political games.</p> <p class="speaker">Stephen Parry</p><p>The question is that general business motion No. 309 moved by Senator McKim as amended be agreed to.</p>
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