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

by leave—I move:

That the time and order of business for the sitting tomorrow, 18 August 2009, be as follows:

(1)

the House, at its rising, adjourn until tomorrow at 12 noon; and

(2)

government business have priority from 12 noon until 2 pm

For the benefit of members, it is the government’s intention to bring on the debate for the renewable energy target legislation immediately today. We will debate that up until 2 pm. We will, after question time, return to that debate and then, after private members’ business if need be, return to that debate again. A number of members have put themselves down to speak on the second reading, and we do not wish for people to not be able to make a contribution. However, I can certainly indicate that the Chief Government Whip has asked members on this side of the chamber to restrict their comments as far as possible; I understand the Chief Opposition Whip has done the same. Of course, I indicate that that would not be appropriate for the opposition spokesperson, who will be able to speak for as long as he wishes to.

It is the intention of the government to allow speakers tonight, through a negating of the adjournment of the House, to continue so that all those speeches will be concluded. That way we can come back here tomorrow at 12 noon, have any debates and votes that are required on that legislation and then move back to the education debate that has been listed. There will be an understanding with the opposition that there will be no votes this evening so that people who had made arrangements will not be disadvantaged by that. I thank the opposition for their cooperation, and I thank the staff of the parliament for staying back this evening.

See this speech in context