11th Nov 2020, 3:46 PM – Senate Motions - Senate Committee Proceedings - Senator Rennick's conduct

The majority voted against a motion introduced by Tasmanian Senator Anne Urquhart (Labor), which means it failed.

Motion text

That the Senate—

(a) notes that:

(i) the Rural and Regional Affairs and Transport References Committee has been conducting an inquiry into identification of leading practices in ensuring evidence-based regulation of farm practices that impact water quality outcomes in the Great Barrier Reef,

(ii) witnesses at the hearing on 28 August 2020 included Professor Ian Chubb AC, Chair of the Reef 2050 Plan Independent Expert Panel and former chief scientist of Australia, Dr Geoff Garrett AO, former chief scientist of Queensland, and Professor Ove Hoegh-Guldberg, professor of marine studies at the University of Queensland, and

(iii) these eminent Australians and others in the scientific community have raised concerns about witnesses being talked over and having their longstanding commitment to their scientific field transparently treated with contempt, all because their evidence did not fit the apparently preconceived and intransigent views of some of the senators participating in this inquiry;

(b) recognises that all proceedings of Senate committees should be conducted respectfully and witnesses treated in a manner consistent with the standing orders and resolutions of the Senate; and

(c) calls on the Leader and Deputy Leader of the Government in the Senate to ensure the conduct of Senator Rennick at this hearing is not repeated.