26th Nov 2009, 10:37 AM – Senate Motions - Legislative Power of the Territories - Against federal interference
Summary
EditThe majority voted against a motion introduced by Greens Senator Sarah Hanson-Young also on behalf of Liberal Senator Gary Humphries. The motion was:
That the Senate recognises the sovereignty of the territory parliaments to legislate within the powers conferred on them by the Federal Parliament, without interference from the Federal Government.
In supporting this motion and crossing the floor to vote in favour of it, Senator Humphries rebelled against his party.(Read more about what it means to rebel in our FAQ Section. ) Relevantly, he is one of the two senators representing the Australian Capital Territory.
Background to the motion
Three Australian territories have some level of self-government: the Australian Capital Territory (ACT), Northern Territory and Norfolk Island. However, the federal government still has full power to legislate over them and can override laws made by territory parliaments.(Read more about Australian territories on Wikipedia here. ) This occurred in respect of same sex marriage legislation passed in the ACT before being disallowed by the federal government.(Read more about this here.)
Votes Not passed by a large majority
There was 1 rebellion in this division.
- Gary Humphries voted Yes against the majority of the Liberal Party.
| Party | Votes | |
|---|---|---|
| Australian Greens (100% turnout) | 5 Yes – 0 No | |
| Bob Brown Tasmania | Yes | |
| Sarah Hanson-Young SA | Yes | |
| Scott Ludlam WA | Yes | |
| Christine Milne Tasmania | Yes | |
| Rachel Siewert WA | Yes | |
| Australian Labor Party (74% turnout) | 0 Yes – 23 No | |
| Catryna Bilyk Tasmania | No | |
| Mark Bishop WA | No | |
| Carol Brown Tasmania | No | |
| Kim Carr Victoria | No | |
| Jacinta Collins Victoria | No | |
| Trish Crossin NT | No | |
| Don Farrell SA | No | |
| David Feeney Victoria | No | |
| Michael Forshaw NSW | No | |
| Mark Furner Queensland | No | |
| Annette Hurley SA | No | |
| Steve Hutchins NSW | No | |
| Joe Ludwig Queensland | No | |
| Kate Lundy ACT | No | |
| Gavin Marshall Victoria | No | |
| Jan McLucas Queensland | No | |
| Claire Moore Queensland | No | |
| Kerry O'Brien Tasmania | No | |
| Helen Polley Tasmania | No | |
| Louise Pratt WA | No | |
| Ursula Stephens NSW | No | |
| Glenn Sterle WA | No | |
| Dana Wortley SA | No | |
| Mark Arbib NSW | Absent | |
| Doug Cameron NSW | Absent | |
| Stephen Conroy Victoria | Absent | |
| Chris Evans WA | Absent | |
| John Faulkner NSW | Absent | |
| Anne McEwen SA | Absent | |
| Nick Sherry Tasmania | Absent | |
| Penny Wong SA | Absent | |
| Nigel Scullion NT Country Liberal Party | No | |
| Alan Ferguson SA Deputy President | No | |
| Steve Fielding Victoria Family First Party | No | |
| Nick Xenophon SA Independent | Yes | |
| Liberal Party (67% turnout) | 1 Yes – 19 No | |
| Gary Humphries ACT | Yes | |
| Eric Abetz Tasmania | No | |
| Judith Adams WA | No | |
| Guy Barnett Tasmania | No | |
| Cory Bernardi SA | No | |
| Sue Boyce Queensland | No | |
| David Bushby Tasmania | No | |
| Michaelia Cash WA | No | |
| Richard Colbeck Tasmania | No | |
| Helen Coonan NSW | No | |
| Mathias Cormann WA | No | |
| Alan Eggleston WA | No | |
| Mitch Fifield Victoria | No | |
| David Johnston WA | No | |
| Helen Kroger Victoria | No | |
| Brett Mason Queensland | No | |
| Stephen Parry Tasmania | No | |
| Scott Ryan Victoria | No | |
| Judith Troeth Victoria | No | |
| Russell Trood Queensland | No | |
| Christopher Back WA | Absent | |
| Simon Birmingham SA | Absent | |
| George Brandis Queensland | Absent | |
| Concetta Fierravanti-Wells NSW | Absent | |
| Mary Fisher SA | Absent | |
| Bill Heffernan NSW | Absent | |
| Ian Macdonald Queensland | Absent | |
| Nick Minchin SA | Absent | |
| Marise Payne NSW | Absent | |
| Michael Ronaldson Victoria | Absent | |
| National Party (80% turnout) | 0 Yes – 4 No | |
| Ron Boswell Queensland | No | |
| Barnaby Joyce Queensland | No | |
| Julian McGauran Victoria | No | |
| Fiona Nash NSW | No | |
| John Williams NSW | Absent | |
| John Hogg Queensland President | No | |
| Totals (75% turnout) | 7 Yes – 50 No |
Red entries are rebel votes against the majority of a party.
Turnout is the percentage of members eligible to vote that did vote.