22nd Jun 2021, 4:20 PM – Senate Motions - Parliament House - Functions

The majority voted against a motion introduced by Queensland Senator Larissa Waters (Greens), which meant it failed.

Motion text

(1) That the Senate—

(a) notes that, on budget night, the Great Hall of Parliament was booked by the New South Wales Liberal Party who paid $67,700 to hire the venue for a political fundraising event, with the Treasurer and Finance Minister in attendance for several billionaires and rich-listers, company executives and directors to get personalised insights and briefings on the budget;

(b) acknowledges that the Parliament is owned by the Australian people and that it represents 'The People's House' and, as such, should not be used for private political fundraising activities; and

(c) instructs the Presiding Officers to amend the 'Use of Parliament House facilities for events' to no longer permit the use of any part of Parliament House for private, political fundraising activities, so that it aligns with the rules prohibiting electorate offices being used for such purposes.

(2) That this resolution be transmitted to the House of Representatives for concurrence.