Why we can't debate war

  1. 13,013 Posts.
    lightbulb Created with Sketch. 99
    As revealed by Nick Xenophon: Labor and the Coalition have struck a deal to not consider "complex and contested motions ... including foreign affairs motions" without a "proper opportunity for debate". According to government Senate leader Eric Abetz, such motions "can have unintended consequences" (unlike, of course, foreign policy blunders). The aim of the deal is to prevent the crossbench parties and independent senators from trying to initiate debates that the major parties may find inconvenient. The deal was agreed the week that Nick Xenophon moved a matter of public importance debate on Attorney-General George Brandis' bizarre change to the government's position on the occupation of East Jerusalem by Israel, which caused ructions within Labor as well as requiring the intervention of Foreign Minister Julie Bishop to repair the damage done by Brandis

    .So we now have a bipartisan agreement not to debate the very issues that require the most thorough airing because the major parties might find themselves having to express a "complex and contested" opinion. It speaks volumes for the sad state of contemporary politics
 
arrow-down-2 Created with Sketch. arrow-down-2 Created with Sketch.