Anthony Albanese (Grayndler, Australian Labor Party, Leader of the House) Share this | Hansard source

Mr Speaker, I thank you for your diligence in getting back to the House in response to the questions that have been raised. In response to those questions: it was never the intention of the government to question the fact that quorums needed to be formed in order for the parliamentary session to begin. We accept that it is the government’s responsibility to do that; however, I note that there was considerable discussion in December and January—prior to any objections to the proposed Friday sittings being raised by members of the opposition—that the opposition would also play a cooperative role in forming a quorum at the beginning of the Friday sessions.

I note also that that would be consistent with the fact that there has been a generally cooperative relationship, since Federation, from both sides of the chamber when it comes to dealing with private members’ business; that on Mondays, since I have been here, there have not been quorums called; that in the Main Committee, since I have been here, there have not been quorums called; that in both those chambers—

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