Senator HARRIS (11:17 AM) —I would like to relate my comments on the contents of the Democrats' proposed amendment and highlight what they are actually asking this chamber to do at this point in time. They have moved an amendment to the proposed act that will require Australia to effect its obligation under any agreements that Australia has with other countries relating to matters of environmental protection.

The point I wish to put is that, if this chamber is to seriously consider this item—and I am not in any way stating that it should not—it is the responsibility of Senator Greig to have provided to this chamber a copy of those agreements. How can we be asked to debate an issue—and to commit this parliament and the Australian people to it—the ramifications of which I seriously doubt that the people in this chamber understand?

Let us look at one such treaty that I am aware of, and I am sure that there are many more that I am not aware of. It is Agenda 21. If Senator Greig wanted to highlight our obligations, why hasn't he brought this particular document to the attention of the chamber? Through you, Chair, I will ask Senator Greig—if he can—to relate to this chamber what chapter 11 of that agreement actually says, because I do not believe that he will even understand or know what is in chapter 11 of Agenda 21.

Let us have a look at the history of Agenda 21. Where did it come from? It came out of a biodiversity conference in Rio and it was signed by Ros Kelly. What has actually happened to that document since? It disappeared into a black hole, to the exception of those who could progress it in relation to environmental and green issues. It took me four years to get a copy of the document. When I got a copy of the document I realised why they did not want me to have it. It goes into such issues as water management that will progressively digress down to private enterprise every bit of water resource in this country.

This is a document that the Labor Party has committed Australia to and, if the government of the day think that they are clear and free, I am very sad to say to them that they are not. They are equally complicit because the government of the day continue to report to the United Nations on the implementation of Agenda 21. And I would suggest that there would be very few members on the government side who could stand up here today and relate the issues within Agenda 21.

We are being asked today to sign a blank cheque, because I believe that the members of this chamber do not know the contents of the agreements that are they are agreeing to allow or disagreeing on. I believe that this chamber would be far better off and would work more efficiently if senators put the work into providing to the chamber the information that other senators need to make a balanced decision on the issues that are being put before them. So through you, Chair, I will ask Senator Greig to actually relate to this chamber the contents of chapter 11 of Agenda 21.

The TEMPORARY CHAIRMAN (Senator George Campbell) —The question is that Democrats amendment No. 4 be agreed to.

Question resolved in the negative.

Senator Brown —Mr Temporary Chairman Campbell, would you please note my vote in support of that amendment.

The TEMPORARY CHAIRMAN —Yes. We now move on to Democrat amendment No. 5.