MOTIONS › Australian Electoral Commission: Election Materials
Senator XENOPHON (South Australia) (16:22): I seek leave to make a short statement. The PRESIDENT: Leave is granted for one minute. Senator XENOPHON: Following Senator Ryan's comments, I want to make the point that our current Commonwealth Procurement Rules do not take into account the social and economic effects of buying local—the effect it has on supply chain, on local jobs and on local economies. The fact is that we have a situation where we can and do produce Australian paper for Australian ballot papers, rather than the many tonnes that are being imported right now for the July 2 election. That seems fundamentally wrong to me, given that Australian jobs are at stake. The PRESIDENT: The amendment was read out. It was reasonably lengthy, but I think people got the gist of it. Senator Rice interjecting— The PRESIDENT: We need it in writing, Senator Rice. Do you have that in writing there? We just need it in writing; it does not have to be circulated. We have the amendment. Does anyone wish for the amendment to be read again? No? In that case, I will put the amendment. The question is that the amendment moved by Senator Rice be agreed to. Question negatived. The PRESIDENT: The question now is that the motion moved by Senator Xenophon be agreed to.