Motions — Earthquake—Sichuan, China

I seek the leave of the House to move with notice a motion in my name with regard to the earthquake in the Sichuan province of China.

I think the member means “without notice” rather than “with notice”, and presumably she also means a non-debatable motion. She will read out what is in her name on the Order Paper.

💬 Madam SPEAKER: Thank you. Perhaps the member would like to start again, because she said “with notice”. Would you please read it out, if there is a notice on the Order Paper.

The notice of motion is on the Order Paper and is a non-debatable motion.

💬 Madam SPEAKER: It is a non-debatable motion, so members are clear about that.

I raise a point of order, Madam Speaker. My party, and I am certain this is the case with every party, would have no objection, but rather would offer encouragement, in respect of what the member seeks. But there is a certain matter of courtesy here, and that member should have been required to consult the other political parties in this House. I am just making that known to her because she did not do us the courtesy of doing that. Notwithstanding that, we will still support her motion.

I move, That the House acknowledge the devastating impact of the 7.9 magnitude earthquake in the Sichuan province of China, with the death toll standing at 13,000 and rising; note that this earthquake is the worst suffered by China in three decades; extend its heartfelt sympathy to the victims, their families, the people of China and the Chinese Government; and hope that in future there will be more cooperation between our two countries in sharing expertise on earthquake detection technology to minimise fatalities.

Motion agreed to.