Summary

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The majority voted against a motion introduced by WA Senator Jordon Steele-John (Greens) in respect to investor-state dispute settlement. Senator Steele-John explained that:

This amendment deals with the very pernicious clauses within these agreements that give corporations the right to sue governments. People might not be aware—although we've previously covered it pretty comprehensively in the debate—so I'll make it very clear: this deals with the inclusion of ISDS clauses, so the pathways through which corporations are able to sue governments for taking action in relation to regulating in the public interest. Australia has had more experience than many nations of the potential impact of these clauses. We have had the experience very close to hand of the way in which Philip Morris utilised an ISDS clause in a previous agreement with Hong Kong to pursue the Australian government in relation to plain-packaging laws after we had had that legislative decision upheld by the highest court in our land.

The Labor Party did not support the amendments, with ACT Senator Katy Gallagher (Labor) explaining that:

The improved ISDS clauses in these agreements include safeguards on the public interest, which allows Australia to regulate on legitimate public welfare objectives. This includes the protection of public health, safety and the environment.

Motion text

(1) Clause 2, pages 2 and 3, table items 2 to 4, omit the table items, substitute:

2. Schedule 1

If the Peru-Australia Free Trade Agreement, done at Canberra on 12 February 2018, enters into force for Australia—the first day that bilateral side letters exchanged between Australia and each other party to the Agreement agreeing that the part of the agreement which deals with investor-State disputes does not apply in relation to an investment in Australia by an investor of the other party are in force for Australia.

However, the provisions do not commence at all unless all of the events mentioned in this item occur.

3. Schedule 2

If the Indonesia-Australia Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement, done at Jakarta on 4 March 2019, enters into force for Australia—the first day that bilateral side letters exchanged between Australia and each other party to the Agreement agreeing that the part of the agreement which deals with investor-State disputes does not apply in relation to an investment in Australia by an investor of the other party are in force for Australia.

However, the provisions do not commence at all unless all of the events mentioned in this item occur.

4. Schedule 3

If the Free Trade Agreement between Australia and Hong Kong, China, done at Sydney on 26 March 2019, enters into force for Australia—the first day that bilateral side letters exchanged between Australia and each other party to the Agreement agreeing that the part of the agreement which deals with investor-State disputes does not apply in relation to an investment in Australia by an investor of the other party are in force for Australia.

However, the provisions do not commence at all unless all of the events mentioned in this item occur.

Votes Not passed by a modest majority

Nobody rebelled against their party.

Party Votes
Cory Bernardi SA Australian Conservatives Absent
Australian Greens (100% turnout) 9 Yes 0 No
Richard Di Natale Victoria Yes
Mehreen Faruqi NSW Yes
Sarah Hanson-Young SA Yes
Nick McKim Tasmania Yes
Janet Rice Victoria Yes
Rachel Siewert WA Yes
Jordon Steele-John WA Yes
Larissa Waters Queensland Yes
Peter Whish-Wilson Tasmania Yes
Australian Labor Party (44% turnout) 0 Yes 11 No
Tim Ayres NSW No
Kim Carr Victoria No
Patrick Dodson WA No
Alex Gallacher SA No
Katy Gallagher ACT No
Nita Green Queensland No
Jenny McAllister NSW No
Malarndirri McCarthy NT No
Louise Pratt WA No
Tony Sheldon NSW No
Jess Walsh Victoria No
Catryna Bilyk Tasmania Absent
Carol Brown Tasmania Absent
Anthony Chisholm Queensland Absent
Raff Ciccone Victoria Absent
Don Farrell SA Absent
Kristina Keneally NSW Absent
Kimberley Kitching Victoria Absent
Deborah O'Neill NSW Absent
Helen Polley Tasmania Absent
Marielle Smith SA Absent
Glenn Sterle WA Absent
Anne Urquhart Tasmania Absent
Murray Watt Queensland Absent
Penny Wong SA Absent
Centre Alliance (100% turnout) 2 Yes 0 No
Stirling Griff SA Yes
Rex Patrick SA Yes
Sam McMahon NT Country Liberal Party No
Sue Lines WA Deputy President No
Jacqui Lambie Tasmania Jacqui Lambie Network Yes
Liberal National Party (50% turnout) 0 Yes 1 No
James McGrath Queensland No
Matthew Canavan Queensland Absent
Liberal Party (68% turnout) 0 Yes 19 No
Wendy Askew Tasmania No
Simon Birmingham SA No
Andrew Bragg NSW No
Slade Brockman WA No
Claire Chandler Tasmania No
Mathias Cormann WA No
Jonathon Duniam Tasmania No
Concetta Fierravanti-Wells NSW No
Sarah Henderson Victoria No
Hollie Hughes NSW No
Jane Hume Victoria No
Jim Molan NSW No
Matt O'Sullivan WA No
James Paterson Victoria No
Gerard Rennick Queensland No
Paul Scarr Queensland No
Dean Smith WA No
Amanda Stoker Queensland No
David Van Victoria No
Eric Abetz Tasmania Absent
Alex Antic SA Absent
Michaelia Cash WA Absent
Richard Colbeck Tasmania Absent
David Fawcett SA Absent
Marise Payne NSW Absent
Linda Reynolds WA Absent
Anne Ruston SA Absent
Zed Seselja ACT Absent
National Party (100% turnout) 0 Yes 3 No
Perin Davey NSW No
Susan McDonald Queensland No
Bridget McKenzie Victoria No
Pauline Hanson's One Nation Party (50% turnout) 1 Yes 0 No
Malcolm Roberts Queensland Yes
Pauline Hanson Queensland Absent
Scott Ryan Victoria President Absent
Totals (64% turnout) 13 Yes – 36 No