Senator HANSON-YOUNG (4:38 PM) —I move:

   That the Senate—

(a)   notes the tragic events surrounding Suspected Illegal Entry Vessel 221, which saw the drowning of 30 asylum seekers off the coast of Christmas Island on 15 December 2010;

(b)   recognises the impact that this tragedy has had on the community as a whole and, in particular, the community of Christmas Island; and

(c)   expresses sympathy and conveys its condolences to the friends and family in Australia and abroad of those who lost their lives.

Mr Deputy President, I seek leave to make a short statement.

The DEPUTY PRESIDENT —Leave is granted for two minutes.

Senator HANSON-YOUNG —I note that this motion is in relation to the tragedy off the coast of Christmas Island the week before Christmas where at least 30 people died and 42 people were rescued. Of course, we do not know the final number of people who perished as part of that incident. The reports are that upwards of 60 people could have died.

I also note that, while importantly and deservedly yesterday we had a lot of time in this chamber put aside for condolences on the natural disasters and the death of an Australian soldier in Afghanistan, it would have been a good idea for the government to schedule some time for us to move an official condolence motion on this tragedy as well. I find it disappointing that the government did not. I hope that all sides of the chamber will support this motion but I would like it noted that I think a formal condolence motion included in yesterday’s list would have been appropriate.