Mr Tony Burke (Watson, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Employment and Workplace Relations) Share this | Hansard source

Thanks very much. Just to the point of order and to suggest a way forward: the standing order that's just been referred to, to recommit, is based on misadventure. I think it's really hard to argue that a misadventure just occurred, in that a lot of notification was given, as soon as we knew that debate had finished in the Federation Chamber, that this would happening this morning, including to the Manager of Opposition Business. That said, people will get their chance, if they want to participate in a conscience vote, to divide. If they want to do that at the third reading, the opportunity is about to be there. But I really don't think we can get into the habit of claiming recommittal on the basis that people just weren't paying attention. There are different views across the parliament on this particular bill, but I really think it'd be a big step for us to use the recommittal principle where indeed there was no misadventure. But the third reading will provide the opportunity the Manager of Opposition Business referred to.

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